PLAN, Inc. is a client-centered nonprofit organization established to improve the availability and quality of civil legal aid for low-income people across Pennsylvania. PLAN supports a statewide consortium of 15 independently run regional and specialty legal services programs (LSPs). It coordinates the delivery of civil legal assistance to the Pennsylvanians who need it most. PLAN advocates for and delivers funding for the network, supports the programs delivering legal aid through training and technical assistance, and ensures effective use of funds.

Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging

This position reports to the PLAN, Inc. Executive Director and is a member of the PLAN, Inc. leadership team.  The individual is responsible for working closely with PLAN, Inc. staff and legal aid organizations to further the mission of PLAN, Inc. and the Networks legal aid organizations on matters related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The Director is responsible for the successful overall design, development, and implementation of strategies and training to improve diversity, inclusion, equity, and enhance the culture of belonging within PLAN, Inc. and across the PLAN Network in the critical areas of operations, hiring, retention, supervision, data collection and analysis, client advocacy, and communication. Excellent communications skills are required with the ability to foster healthy conversations and relationships that further unbiased spaces in the PLAN Network.

Responsibilities of the Position

HR Specialist-PLAN, Inc.

• Serve as subject matter expert on HR for PLAN, Inc.
• Solid knowledge of HR legal matters.
• Develop and implement HR policies for PLAN, Inc. that promote a healthy work environment.
• Maintain PLAN, Inc. employee HR records.
• Identification and successful integration of best practices and emerging workforce trends and benchmarks that inform and complement internal workforce goals and employee engagement.

DEIB Specialist-PLAN, Inc. & PLAN Network

• Serve as subject matter expert on DEIB for PLAN, Inc.
• Serve as subject matter expert on DEIB for the PLAN Network. 
• Provide assistance and support to the PLAN Network organizations in advancing and implementing DEIB best practice standards based on each organization’s stage of DEIB development. Including developing inclusion initiatives, policies, procedures, and training resources.
• Design and support implementation of inclusive processes to increase and/or sustain the diversity of staff at all levels within PLAN, Inc. and across the PLAN Network while promoting inclusion, equity, and belonging. This includes but is not limited to widely communicated and transparent plans and practices around compensation, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and career growth that can be developed collectively and customized by each legal aid office to fit their own needs.
• In partnership with PLAN Network organizations, identify priorities, opportunities, and strategies for building DEIB competencies (e.g., understanding DEIB, client advocacy with a DEIB lens and purpose, hiring practices, supervising across differences) by facilitating tailored and/or collective training and leadership.
• Engage with the designated PLAN Network organizational leaders (Executive Directors, HR Directors, DEIB Committees, Directors of Training, the PLAN, Inc. DEIB Advisory Group) to develop and accomplish DEIB goals.
• Engage with the designated PLAN Network staff (Change Ambassadors, Affinity Groups) to develop and accomplish DEIB goals.  
• Engage with local, state, and national organizations that are working in the DEIB space, both to gain knowledge, understand implementation challenges and opportunities, and share experiences with living with DEIB in the legal services context.
• Facilitate training and skill-building activities to strengthen empathy, cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed communication skills and reflective supervision for PLAN Inc. and PLAN Network human resources and supervisors at all levels.
• Strategize what and how outside funds might be secured to achieve the missions of the DEIB.  This could include seeking funding from traditional sources (e.g., IOLTA, CLE Board), but also additional funding from sources not currently being tapped, including grants from non-profits active in the space, corporate and other foundations, and from alliances.
• Create and support a system for PLAN, Inc. and the PLAN Network programs to regularly collect anonymous feedback from staff regarding employee experience, satisfaction, grievance, ideas for improvement with a dedicated focus on inclusive and equitable practices; provide coaching to support appropriate organizational responses to staff feedback.
• Recommend easy-to-understand metrics and tools (e.g., dashboards) to enable PLAN, Inc. and the PLAN Network programs to measure their progress on DEIB.

   Support of Affinity Groups Across the PLAN Network

• Nurture and support the existing Affinity Groups and provide support for the establishment of new affinity groups based upon interests from the members of the PLAN Network.

• Provide coaching and counseling to Affinity Group leaders, and a “safe space” forum for Affinity Groups to raise questions and concerns that may not be capable of resolution within a single legal aid organization.

   Martin Luther King, Jr. Internship and Fellowship Programs

• Manage, coordinate, and oversee the Martin Luther King Jr., Internship and Fellowship Programs, including recruitment of interns and fellows, facilitate legal service organization placement, monitor contractual obligations, perform oversight and evaluation of intern and fellow placement experience, coordinate training of interns and supervisors, plan special events, including fundraising campaigns for these programs. 

Other Duties 

• The Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging may directly supervise employees or interns.
• Assist on other projects and responsibilities as assigned by the PLAN, Inc. Executive Director.
• Other duties as assigned.  

This position is considered exempt under Department of Labor standards (subject to ongoing comparison to compensation standards for exempt/non-exempt employees). Per the PLAN, Inc. personnel policies, comp time and overtime are authorized only with advance approval of the Executive Director.  

Ideal Skills, Experience, And Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Organizational Management, Organizational Psychology, or another relevant field. To be successful in this role, the selected candidate must know the best practices that impact DEIB in the workplace and across communities. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional leader who is an excellent communicator and passionate about DEIB. Nonprofit experience in the legal services community is a plus.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in a management role preferred.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to take initiative.
• Demonstrate expertise with strategic diversity & inclusion management methodologies and related planning, execution, and measurement of effectiveness.
• Experience in facilitating complex and difficult discussions in diverse groups and with individuals including managing sensitive or controversial subjects with professionalism.
• Effective stakeholder and relationship management experience; able to interact and build trusted relationships with all levels of employees.
• A track record of building trust with people from diverse backgrounds and approaches. Maturity, objectivity, discretion, and sound judgment when engaging with multiple constituencies.
• Highly skilled at establishing rapport and cultivating relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from all walks of life and understanding, passion and willingness to learn about and from others.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Skill in coaching and guiding senior leaders on DEIB issues and practices, supporting, or leading organizational change, and implementing and sustaining high-quality initiatives.
• A self-directed learner committed to broadening and deepening their subject matter expertise.
• Comfort and facility with DEIB data and its use in decision-making.
• A strategic mindset and an understanding of and ability to navigate the changing landscape of DEIB work.
• Attention to detail, punctuality, reliability.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong work ethic and able to work long hours when required.
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills with a variety of constituencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and case management systems.
• Willingness to travel (overnight stays may be required).

LOCATION: This position affords hybrid work. The ability to travel throughout the State of Pennsylvania for events and training is required. Should business needs require physical presence, teleworking will not be possible. Harrisburg presence is preferred.

SALARY: This is a full-time senior level position with a salary range of $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 requiring 7+ years Human Resource experience and a strong Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging background. Staff are offered excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision insurance, life, and disability insurance, along with retirement benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with the ideal candidate. Applicants should e-mail a resume with a cover letter that explains their interests and qualifications for the Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging position, and why you feel you could be successful in the position. Applications should be e-mailed to hiring@palegalaid.net.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our organization, throughout our network, and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve.