Who we are?

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves a diverse community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. The Fieldston Middle campus is located in Riverdale has approximately 400 students in 6-8th grade.

What is essential about working at our school?

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of equity and inclusion deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace diversity of ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs and seek a student body and faculty that reflect the pluralism and socio-economic diversity of metropolitan New York. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in a diverse environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.

Role Summary

The Diversity Coordinator serves as a leader in promoting and developing the schools capacity to create and sustain an inclusive community. The Coordinator is charged with working on a divisional and an all-school level to oversee the development of social and academic programs designed to support all constituents in the Middle School. This 11 month position works with a team of practitioners across the four divisions and reports to the Director of Community and Inclusion.

Responsibilities

Primary Leadership

• Monitor and support curricular priorities as they pertain to diversity, equity, and inclusive education

• Attend student, academic, and social support meetings

• Lead staff professional development on issues of anti-bias education in divisional and cross-divisional meetings

• Monitor and enhance the support mechanisms in place for underrepresented student groups

• Participate as a member of the divisional leadership team and consult as needed on student issues

• Conduct and stay abreast of research as it pertains to student and staff participation and attrition and success rates

• Support divisional hiring process, serving as a member of search committees

• Regularly meet with counselors to create and enhance support systems to promote the socio-emotional learning/growth of children

• Serve as a member of the MS or US admissions committee by participating in open houses, family receptions, and other morning and evening admissions events as needed

• Support the coordination of affinity groups, student mentorship programs, and DEI conferences in both divisions

• Support teachers in the enrichment and refinement of curriculum though an inclusive, equitable lens

Constituent Relations

• Serve as a liaison and provide informal counseling to students, families, faculty, and staff

• Serve as a resource for students, families, faculty, and staff

• Oversee diversity related organizations including faculty groups and student affinity groups

• Attend Parent All School Multicultural Committee meetings and monitor goal setting, programming, and other topics of interest

• Partner with colleagues to plan and support community time/assemblies, trips, and retreats to enhance community understanding and support positive identity development

• Attend and chaperone important events in the life of the division and wider community

• Teach independent and collaborative lessons about diversity, equity, and inclusion as needed

• Serve as a member of the MS Discipline Committee and US Accountability Restorative Committee as needed

Administrative

• Attend regular meetings and maintain contact with the diversity coordinators in other divisions

• Support the maintenance of divisional calendars of events and monitor all school programming in order to minimize conflicts

• Prepare announcements and flyers to advertise programming and keep community members informed of events

• Create and maintain external relationships with student placement agencies as well as local and national equity based organizations

• Stay up-to-date on progressive, diversity, equity, and multicultural best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree, Master's preferred

• Three years of professional experience in program development, especially as it relates to diversity and inclusion program implementation, particularly affinity groups

• Experience in middle school is essential

• Experience with independent school admissions processes

• Strong leadership, communication, facilitation, presentation, and organizational skills

• Experience in a progressive school a plus

• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends

All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, statement of your educational philosophy, and contact information for three references. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled.

EEO

ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to be a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. ECFS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.