Career Center

Director of Equity, Inclusion and Community Life

Friends Community School (FCS) is a progressive co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS offers a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity, and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage. Faculty and staff are highly engaged and enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and creativity. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Now in its 35th year, FCS has cultivated a diverse community of students, families, and employees. Fifty-four percent of its student body self-identifies as people of color and students and employees represent various gender identities, faiths, family structures, and socio-economic backgrounds.

FCS seeks a full-time Director of Equity, Inclusion and Community Life. At FCS, a core part of our Quaker identity is a belief that there is “that of God” in everyone. Diversity is not limited to social identifiers, but also includes the diversity of thought, talents, and learning styles.  This position involves serving as a resource, working individually and with groups of students, administrators, faculty, staff, and parents to continue to cultivate an inclusive school culture. Consistent reflection and assessment of the school program and curriculum are integral to this position. That reflection and assessment will guide and shape our efforts as the work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging continues to evolve, along with a steadfast commitment to our Quaker identity.

The Director works closely with board leadership of the Quaker Life Committee and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.  The Director guides the Student Diversity committee, partners with the Heads of Lower School and Middle School, faculty and staff committees on diversity and Quaker Life. Through these partnerships, the Director advances the school community’s understanding of Quaker values, and their intersection with DEIB among students, employees, and families. 

The Director plans along with the Head of School professional development for faculty and staff, and facilitates new employee orientation. 

The Director reports directly to the Head of School and is a member of the senior administrative team.  

Responsibilities:

• Supports and creates programming that promotes and enriches engagement of parents, student, and faculty/staff groups whose purposes and goals are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of FCS.
• Collaborates with the Board, the DEIB Committee and Head of School to identify strategic priorities around diversity, equity, and inclusion and carries out their implementation
• Coordinates the efforts of the student, faculty, and Board committees and parent group, and maintains a calendar of events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, keeping all parties informed of events and activities.
• Serves as a resource on diversity, equity, and inclusion for faculty/staff in their work with students and families, and in the development of curriculum and programs.
• Ensures the work in diversity, equity, and inclusion of the school community is communicated internally and externally.
• Assists in the recruitment of students and admissions decisions as well as the recruitment of faculty and staff and hiring decisions.
• Participates actively in our ongoing work to live Quaker principles through the school’s DEIB efforts and helps the institution clarify and strengthen the connections between DEIB & Quakerism. 
• Collaborates with teachers, division heads, and student support personnel in ongoing efforts to embed diversity and issues of equity and justice in the school’s curriculum, pedagogy, and student life. 
• Leads the school in its established and ongoing diversity initiatives, including our work on multi-racial pedagogy. 
• Spearheads school-wide service learning projects throughout the year. 
• Organizes and facilitates student and adult affinity groups.
• Regularly updates the Board of Trustees, and the DEIB Committee. 
• Serves as a member on the Board Quaker Life Committee and DEIB Committee. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree is required, and a masters degree preferred
• Work experience leading diversity initiatives and practices in a school or nonprofit organization
• Previous teaching experience in a K-12 setting and knowledge of progressive pedagogy and curriculum preferred. 
• Possess emotional intelligence and the ability to collaborate with and the skill to support adults and children
• Outstanding organizational and presentation skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Proven ability to effectively lead, manage, and inspire in a fast-paced environment with multiple creative projects

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, philosophy of education, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references to Angela G. Garcia, Head of School, at angelag@friendscommunityschool.org.

 FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.