The High Mountain Institute is seeking a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a full-time administrative, FLSA-exempt position that reports to the Head of School. The Director of DEI is responsible for advancing HMI’s Diversity Statement strategically and operationally. They work collaboratively with the Head of School and the administrative leadership team to advance DEI initiatives across all HMI programs, to make the school a more equitable and inclusive institution, and to create and foster a culture of belonging.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience advancing DEI initiatives, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting. The candidate will embody the school’s mission and core values, uphold HMI’s intentional community culture, and develop and implement actionable steps to reach our DEI goals. The candidate will have experience supporting students and/or employees with historically-marginalized identities and be passionate about increasing diversity and access in the independent school and/or outdoor recreation industries.

Primary Job Responsibilities:
The Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion develops, executes, and oversees key DEI initiatives at HMI:

• Works with the HOS and the administrative leadership team on the creation, execution, and fulfillment of institutional Strategic Plan DEI goals, initiatives, practices, and professional development.
• Works with HMI Program Directors to formally and informally support students from historically-marginalized backgrounds in all HMI Programs (Gap, Semester, Summer Term)
• Collaborates with HOS, program directors, and HR on initiatives to hire, recruit, and retain diverse candidates and create a culture of belonging that promotes retention.
• Helps train supervisors in managing employees and provides HOS and HR support when DEI-related issues arise in the community.
• Works with teachers, apprentices, and wilderness instructors on professional development to increase cultural competency and examine academic and wilderness curricula with an equity lens.
• Develops, manages, and analyzes relevant data for ongoing institutional DEI research and to drive DEI strategies.
• Supports DEI communication and outreach among different constituent groups, including employees, students, alumni, and families.
• Facilitates affinity spaces, including expeditions, retreats, and events.
• Collaborates with the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid with developing new avenues to meet priorities for improving student-body diversity across programs.
• Leads institutional outreach and exploration of collaborative work and partnerships with nonprofits and organizations that represent and uplift historically marginalized identities in the outdoors.
• Keeps current on emerging trends and best practices in DEI work in independent schools and the outdoor recreation industry.

Other

• Serves as a member of HMI’s administrative team and fulfill administrative responsibilities, including serving as an Administrator on Call
• Serves on the Hiring Oversight Committee
• Co-advises the Student Diversity Council
• Teaches a class and/or serves as a student advisor and/or leads backpacking trips
• Up to four weeks of HMI promotional travel
• 10% of every position is doing whatever needs to be done at HMI

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite
• Current driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screen
• Ability to travel independently around the country (in planes, trains, rental cars, etc)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years professional experience related to DEI in an educational, non-profit, or outdoor education setting
• Experience supporting students and/or employees with historically-marginalized identities
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for working in outdoor programming

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Teamwork, communication, commitment to feedback
• Ability to transfer long-term strategic goals into operational tasks and action steps

Position Pay & Benefits:

• $45,000-$60,000 DOE
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• 4-9% retirement benefits match after 1 year
• 6 weeks of vacation per year
• Possibility of on-campus housing
• Annual professional development opportunities

Start Date: June 2023

About the High Mountain Institute:
Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, about half of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion at HMI:
The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically-marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.