Belonging and Social Impact Lead-Lower Schools

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. Fieldston Lower, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 270 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 60 faculty members. Ethical Culture School, located on the Upper West Side at 63rd Street and Central Park West, is comprised of approximately 450 students Pre-K through 5th Grade and 80 faculty members.

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.

Position Summary
The Belonging and Social Impact Lead (BSI) serves as a leader in promoting and developing the school's capacity to create and sustain an inclusive community. The BSI Lead 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. This 11 month position works with a team of practitioners across the four divisions and reports to the Assistant Director of Belonging and Social Impact and the Lower School Principal. The successful candidate is a progressive educator with a strong passion and experience working with elementary students and designing elementary curriculum, well-versed in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIBJ) frameworks and anti-bias and anti-racist practices, is compassionate, flexible, and dynamic. Additionally, the BSI Lead joins the admin team which is made up of the Principal, APs, and Office Managers.

Please note that this is a one-year role that will work onsite and not remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

The hiring range for this position is $105,000-$120,000. This is an 11 month role and will begin August 1, 2024. When determining the salary for an offer, ECFS considers factors including, but not limited to: the scope and responsibilities of the position, internal peer equity, key skills required for the role, the candidate's work experience, education and training, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

Primary Leadership

• Working with the Lower Schools leadership team to support teachers and grade-level teams in the enrichment and refinement of curriculum though a comprehensive DEIBJ lens;
• Leading parents and staff professional development on issues of anti-bias education including divisional and cross-divisional meetings;
• Partnering with the AP for Academic Life to monitor and enhance the support mechanisms in place for underrepresented student groups;
• Partnering with the AP for Student life to monitor and implement restorative practices related to behavior and student/adult culture;
• Conducting and stay abreast of feedback, data and research as it pertains to student and staff participation and attrition and success rates;
• Supporting divisional hiring process, serving as a member of search committees;
• Serving as a member of the admissions committee; participate in open houses, accepted family receptions, and other morning and evening admissions events as needed;
• Coordinating all aspects of the Conversations About Race & Ethics/Empathy (CARe) affinity group program for 3rd and/or 4th and 5th graders;
• Attending student academic and social support meetings with classroom teachers, school psychologist, AP's and Principal (Guidance Team) to create and enhance support systems to promote the socio-emotional learning/growth of children.

Constituent Relations

• Serving as a liaison and resource for students, families, faculty, and staff;
• Overseeing diversity related organizations including faculty groups and student affinity groups;
• Coordinating all aspects of the PreK-5 students of color additional programming beyond CARe;
• Partnering with divisional ASMC parent representatives and monitor goal setting, programming, and other topics of interest;
• Partnering with colleagues to plan and support community time assemblies, trips, and retreats to enhance community understanding;
• Attending and chaperone important events in the life of the division and wider community;
• Teaching independent and collaborative lessons about diversity, equity, and inclusion as needed.

Administrative

• Attending regular meetings and maintain contact with the BSI Leads in other divisions;
• Maintaining a divisional calendar of events and monitor all school programming in order to minimize conflicts;
• Preparing announcements and flyers to advertise programming and keep community members informed of events;
• Creating and maintaining external relationships with agencies that support students of color throughout the independent school community as well as local and national equity based organizations;
• Stay up-to-date on progressive, diversity, equity, and multicultural best practices.;
• Performing other related projects and duties as assigned.

Position Requirements
The successful incumbent will posses:

• A Bachelor's degree, Master's preferred;
• Previous experience working with elementary students and designing and implementing elementary DEIBJ curriculum preferred;
• Experience implementing restorative practice;
• Minimum of four years of professional experience in DEIBJ program development, particularly affinity groups;
• Experience with independent school admissions process;
• Strong leadership, communication, facilitation, presentation, and organizational skills;
• Experience in a progressive school a plus;
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends;
• Respect and appreciation for diversity in all of its forms;
• The ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback.

To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please submit a resume,cover letter, along with the contact information for at least three professional references.

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.