Director of Equity & Anti-Racism

The Oak Park Public Library seeks a full-time Director of Equity & Anti-Racism to join its Leadership Team.

About the Oak Park Public Library

The Oak Park Public Library strategically prioritizes equity, anti-racism, engagement, learning, and stewardship. We serve a diverse population at our three locations and out in the Oak Park community. Our vision is to empower every voice in our community, and our mission is to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations.

Position Summary

The Director of Equity & Anti-Racism is a key member of the leadership team, championing the library's strategic commitment to continually advance the library as an anti-racist and equitable institution where everyone feels welcome. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads, designs, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive equity and anti-racism program, which includes informing policies and service design, developing and delivering high-impact training for staff, and guiding strategic community connections. 

This position is the lead strategist for integrating an equity-based lens into all facets of the library’s work. Success in this role requires a strategic, collaborative, and resilient leader with a deep command of core anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts as well as the experience necessary to translate equity-based insights into strategic organizational goals while navigating the unique dynamics of a high-accountability community.

Bilingualism in English and Spanish (or another language relevant to Oak Park’s community) is a plus; while not required, fluency in another language will enable you to provide exceptional customer service and build relationships with more of our community members. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and inform library-wide initiatives

• Inform the development and review of library policies to ensure they align with the library's equity and anti-racism goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams on the design of library services and spaces to ensure they are accessible and inclusive for all community members.
• Serve as a key strategic partner in integrating an equity-based approach into the library’s operations.

Develop and deliver staff training and learning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum of learning and training programs for staff, covering topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and dialogue among staff related to equity and anti-racism.
• Mentor, coach, and advise members of the leadership team, managers, and staff on matters related to equity and anti-racism.
• Develop, support, and encourage staff resource or affinity groups.

Guide strategic community connections

• Lead the Manager of Community Engagement to ensure that community engagement efforts are aligned with the library's strategic priorities.
• Engage with community partners and groups to understand their needs and inform the library’s work. 
• Build external partnerships and networks to learn about and access the latest research, practices, and resources in the equity and anti-racism community.

Additional responsibilities

• Develop, monitor, and manage the annual budget for the Equity and Anti-Racism service area, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support strategic goals and initiatives.
• Maintain expertise in the field by continually engaging with and assessing new research, emerging best practices, and innovative strategies related to equity and anti-racism.
• Proactively seek professional development opportunities, training, and networks to deepen personal capacity and knowledge on complex equity issues.
• Collaborate with the Data Analysis Consultant and other staff to implement evaluation strategies to measure the effectiveness of equity and anti-racism-related programs and initiatives.

Leadership Team

As a member of the library’s leadership team, this position will:

• Collaborate to shape and execute the library's strategic direction. 
• Create strategies to implement library initiatives effectively. 
• Contribute service area expertise and knowledge to the team. 
• Model behaviors that promote excellent teamwork and collaboration.
• Represent the library with skill, knowledge, and professionalism. 

Required Qualifications

• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive equity and anti-racism program.
• Experience leading organizational change and fostering a positive, inclusive culture for staff and the public.
• Track record of driving and implementing innovative ideas with broad impact.
• Excellent command of core equity and anti-racism concepts and best practices.
• Must possess and communicate a working understanding of how historic and systemic racism and inequities continue to affect marginalized groups today.
• Ability to translate equity-based insights into strategic goals and decisions.
• Evidence of capacity to work collaboratively while managing conflict and processing dissonance.
• Strong time management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to maintain effective relationships with staff, the community, and local leaders.
• Ability to deal effectively with confrontational individuals or challenging situations.
• Capable of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating quantitative and qualitative data and results.
• High level of professionalism and integrity with the capacity to maintain confidentiality.

Education and Experience

Required

• Progressive experience leading, designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism-related programs or initiatives.
• Proven track record of leadership and management skills, including supervising staff and managing projects.
• Completion of relevant coursework, certification(s), or other training programs.

Preferred

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Justice, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience working in a public library or similar non-profit setting, with an understanding of the public institution's purpose and its mission within the community.

A combination of education, professional, and lived experiences that demonstrate the ability to meet the position’s requirements successfully may be considered.

Details

This position is full-time, with a 40-hour workweek. 

As part of the comprehensive compensation package, full-time library staff members receive generous benefits, including:

• 90% premium coverage for PPO and HMO medical insurance across all tiers
• Enrollment in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), a premier defined benefit (pension) plan for Illinois municipal government employees
• 20 paid vacation days annually
• 12 paid health leave days annually
• 5 paid personal days annually
• 13 paid holidays annually
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave
• Up to $5,250 per year tuition assistance for continuing education
• Paid learning opportunities, such as webinars and conferences
• Paid dues for professional association membership
• Remote work stipend
• $150 Lifestyle Spending Account to enhance your physical, financial, and emotional well-being

Starting salary range: $90,000 to $105,000. Offers are made within this range based on competencies, experience, and internal equity. 

Please apply by Sunday, January 4, to be considered for this position.

The Oak Park Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating and supporting an environment of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of our staff, collections, programs and services, patrons, and community. Members of traditionally marginalized groups and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $90,000 - $105,000