Apply to be the BPS Equity Manager

We are looking for an equity expert who can help take our work to the next level. 

This position will be a resource for the bureau's staff, program and project managers, and leadership and executive teams to create a workplace where equity becomes central to everyday decisions and is embedded in bureau operations. The Equity Manager will lead the bureau in proactively implementing equitable policies, practices, and actions, as well as helping influence attitudes within the bureau that will produce equitable access, opportunities, and outcomes for bureau workforce and the communities we serve.

Experience & Competencies for Success:

The successful candidate will independently perform work in support of bureau mission, goals and objectives, by providing expert technical guidance and implementation leadership on equity and inclusion issues within bureau programs that impact the workforce and the communities we serve in the following ways:

• Working with bureau staff, the Director, Executive Team, Leadership Team, the Commissioner’s office, and community partners to create a shared understanding of the needs and opportunities to increase equity in BPS; working with key community partners to ensure that BPS’ equity work is focused on community priorities and needs.
• Helping to shape and influence the bureau’s strategic and budget priorities to prioritize and center equity throughout the work.
• Conducting research, analyzing data, and preparing policy and procedure documents to address identified needs and issues; identifying metrics for tracking monitoring and reporting results of equity efforts; convening and facilitating bureau committees and task forces.
• Leading and participating in bureau strategic analysis to embed equity into all BPS operations, both to embolden a diverse workforce and to examine how our programs and services are reaching our communities externally:
  • Executing Racial Equity Plan development and implementation including drawing connections between Racial Equity Plan and BPS Strategic Plan, Portland Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Comprehensive Plan;
  • Convening Racial Equity Review Team and overseeing staff-led racial equity cohort to apply BPS’ commitment to racial equity to projects and programs; providing capacity building and training, technical assistance, collaboration and accountability to staff practitioners;
  • Providing leadership on bureau internal equity, diversity and inclusion strategy to build a sustainable and inclusive workplace;
• Representing BPS for Citywide equity work and coordinating equity policies and strategies with the Office of Equity and Human Rights and other equity managers from other bureaus.
• Developing and managing budget for Racial Equity Program; developing financial plan projections and documents.
• Supervising two direct reports that coordinate internal and external equity work and Racial Equity Plan implementation.
• Developing and managing Title II and Civil Rights Title VI compliance and improvements, providing guidance on meaningful access accommodations (this is a small component of the position and not the main focus).

Characteristics of an Ideal Equity Manager

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Demonstrate the ability to perform advanced equity analysis and advanced understanding of intersectional approaches.
• Demonstrate understanding of tools and strategies necessary to dismantle structural and institutional racism as well as disrupt individual racism.
• Demonstrate skills and expertise in facilitation and navigating conflict through a trauma informed lens.
• Demonstrate understanding of the ways that systems of oppression (racism, sexism heterosexism, cissexism, ageism, classism, ableism, and other forms of oppression) impact the workplace and communities and are perpetuated in policies and systems.
• Demonstrate commitment to building strong relationships with bureau staff, other bureau partners and external community members.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the necessity and value of community organizing.
• Demonstrate willingness to share the work and share leadership.

BPS values a diverse workforce and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization.  BPS encourages candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. Although not required, BPS encourages candidates that can fluently speak more than one language to include that information in your resume. Read more about BPS.

To Qualify:

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Knowledge and commitment to understanding and eradicating structural racial inequity. Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding access, equity, diversity, inclusion, implicit bias and institutional racism.
2. Ability to collaborate and co-create with communities of color and people traditionally under-represented in local decision-making; facilitate inclusive participation in programs and activities; communicate cross-culturally.
3. Ability to strategically apply analytic and problem-solving skills to independently develop sound decisions, conclusions, and recommendations while navigating sensitive political environments.
4. Ability to research and prepare recommendations on complex bureau policies, plans, programs and community engagement related to urban planning, community development, and sustainability issues.

Apply by midnight March 9, 2020.