Equity Manager (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager 2)

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

51d•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you interested in using your leadership skills to help advance environmental protection and justice for all communities and ecosystems in Oregon, now and for future generations? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Opportunity: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for an Equity Manager (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager 2). This position is based out of DEQ's Headquarters Office in Portland, Oregon. The Agency: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU DEQ's Office of Equity supports the agency in its mission by advancing its environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, including meaningful involvement and equal protection, across all aspects of the agency's work. The office and its staff provide environmental justice technical assistance to DEQ programs, creating guidance and resources for use by agency programs, and leading cross-functional teams and workgroups focused on advancing environmental justice principles. The office also serves as a central convening and coordinating entity within DEQ to ensure the agency is responsive to external requests and mandates. The Office of Equity leads the advancement of DEI initiatives at DEQ and advises and collaborates with leadership on equity-based agency work, decisions, and policies. The Office of Equity works with other state agencies on DEI initiatives at an enterprise-level, linking that work to DEQ's internal actions and initiatives The Office of Equity will coordinate with DEQ's DEI Council and various affinity groups to ensure their initiatives align with the agency's overall Strategic Plan and DEI Plan, while also providing guidance and consultation as needed. While the outlined work reflects the agency's vision for the Office of Equity, the Equity Manager will have the opportunity to further shape and develop the office's priorities and initiatives as the organization continues to advance its equity goals.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor's degree.

Nice To Haves

Proven ability in providing strategic leadership that aligns an organization's goals with diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and environmental justice outcomes.
Skill in developing and communicating a clear DEI vision and strategy for the organization; adept at tailoring internal and external communications and messaging to best suit the audience(s).
Experience advising executive leadership on equity-informed policy, rulemaking, and strategies.
Ability to effectively ensure timely and high-quality implementation of DEI expectations and environmental justice initiatives.
Knowledge of change management frameworks and principles and how to apply them in equity-centered transformation efforts.
Demonstrated ability to develop accountability measures to ensure both leadership and other staff are making progress on moving DEIB initiatives forward.
Demonstrated ability to reconcile personal advocacy with the broader rules and goals of the organization.
Experience managing new and emerging DEI/EJ programs and employees with political and public visibility, including resource planning and interagency collaboration.
Strong organizational development skills, including measuring performance using qualitative and quantitative information.
Familiarity with applying an equity framework and analysis in organization budget and decisions.
Experience leading the work of a diverse team responsible for promoting and incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion values throughout the programs and activities of an organization.
Experience coaching, mentoring, developing, motivating, and investing in the growth and development of staff through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.
Commitment to navigating and facilitating a psychologically safe, culturally responsive, and respectful workplace through a trauma-informed approach.
Understanding of or experience working with labor unions, particularly in a public sector setting.
Experience working directly with and building trust across frontline communities, tribal governments, environmental justice advocates, diverse communities, departments, and teams.
Knowledge of community engagement and public engagement processes that elevate and include community voices and those who have been disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized in evaluation, design, and decision-making.
Experience providing direction and counsel to Human Resources partners and to other organization employees to collaboratively advance DEI practices, learning, and policies, and to collaboratively work through conflicts or issues related to equity and inclusion.
Experience working as part of a leadership team to advance mutual objectives to benefit the organization.
Skill in relationship-building and collaboration with administrators, department heads, legislative bodies, community leaders, and executive offices, including sharing best practices and contributing to enterprise-wide DEI efforts.
Experience guiding organizations through anti-racism and cultural transformation change initiatives, including assessing an organization's training needs and readiness and making recommendations to leadership team.
Experience using inclusive facilitation techniques to resolve conflict and promote a shared culture of equity.

Responsibilities

You will lead the Office of Equity and its work for the agency, including recruiting, supervising, and directing a team responsible for promoting and incorporating inclusion values throughout DEQ's programs and activities.
You will provide vision, leadership, and expertise in developing and implementing programs, policies, and guidance for DEQ's Environmental Justice (EJ) work, Title VI activities, and DEI initiatives, ensuring DEQ advances equitable environmental outcomes and fosters a more inclusive workplace.
In addition, you will ensure statewide mandates, such as the agency's DEI Plan and annual reports to the Environmental Justice Council (EJC), are completed on time and with a quality product.
As a member of the Agency's Leadership Team, you will advise on issues that may impact programs or work, offering recommendations to address challenges or implement necessary changes within DEQ's EJ, Title VI, and DEI initiatives.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
11 paid holidays
10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
Optional life insurance packages
Flexible spending accounts
Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
Optional deferred compensation retirement program
Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Continuous growth and development opportunities
Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions