Office of Equity Director

Who we are:
In 2021, the legislature and Governor Inslee created the Washington State Office of Equity (“the Office”) to promote equitable access to opportunities, programs, and resources across state government that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide (RCW 43.06D.002). The Office of Equity co-created the state’s Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Ecosystem Plan & Playbook with thousands of state employees and community members. The PEAR Plan & Playbook supports the governor’s commitment to be an anti-racist government and helps state agencies to apply an equity lens in all aspects of decision making (Executive Order 22-04). This includes service delivery, programming, policy development, budgeting, and staffing.
 
Our Vision Everyone in Washington state has full access to the opportunities and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential. 
 
Our Mission To promote equitable access to opportunities and resources across state government that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide.

• Lead and direct the mission, vision and operations of the Office. This includes: 
  • Direct and manage a team of professionals during a time of significant organizational change and heightened societal focus on issues of diversity, equity and belonging. 
  • Establish clear performance metrics for the Office and foster productive, collaborative relationships.
  • Provide oversight and accountability to the Office’s budget, contracts, and workforce development needs.
• Implement the five-year equity strategic plan for the state with measurable outcomes and goals.
  • Provide guidance to state agencies in creating systems and policy changes to remove barriers. 
  • Promote and train agency leaders on how to foster a shared understanding of equity-related terms and concepts.  
  • Establish standards for the collection, analysis and reporting of disaggregated data.
  • Train agency leaders on how to implement Pro-Equity Anti-Racism strategies that promote inclusion and belonging in the workplace and result in more equitable service delivery.
• Build and sustain productive relationships with internal and external partners including state agency leadership and staff, the legislature, tribal nations, Business Resource Groups, committees, councils, and state Boards and Commissions.

Required:
This position will require someone with a demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice. This requires a fundamental understanding of the historical context underlying current challenges facing communities of color, people with disabilities, immigrant communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender communities, veterans, as well as low-and moderate-income families.  
 
The successful candidate will have strong leadership and management skills with demonstrated success in leading a team through significant change while driving results and fostering positive, collaborate relationships to achieve statewide outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree with major studies in business or public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, ethnic studies, education or related discipline.  Note: All relevant experience including lived, volunteer, or professional, or a combination of experience and education that demonstrate the ability to perform the work will be considered. 
• Equity certificate or similar credential.  
• Three years of experience working in a position that demonstrated commitment to proactive equity and anti-racism/social justice practice. Experience may be in government, education, social justice programs, public outreach, or engagement. 
• Demonstrated experience interacting with senior leaders, senior staff, the Legislature, media, stakeholders and community organizations.
• Experience in organizational change management. 
• Demonstrated success in leading multicultural / diverse groups and individuals in an organization. 
• Three years of management experience demonstrating exemplary leadership. 

 
Desired:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree with major studies in business or public administration, political science, psychology, education or related discipline.
• Ability to communicate in multiple languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
• Advanced experience in strategic planning and leadership with a proactive equity and belonging focus.

 
Special Note: This position is exempt from civil service rules. For more details, see WAC 357-19-195.

Compensation: The starting salary range for this position is $95,676 - $155,000, depending on qualifications. To allow for growth and salary progression over time in this role, the full salary range is $95,676 - $172,224. The compensation listed includes the general wage increase of 4% that will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2023.Application Process
We would love to hear from you. Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application (you can save the application and come back to it, if needed). Please include the following:

1. A letter of interest that explains how you believe this role will advance pro-equity and anti-racism in Washington, why it is needed, and why you are ideal for this role.
2. A current resume that details your applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses.

 
We will directly contact the top candidates to interview for this position. Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications we described above.
 
Office of Equity Director Supplemental Questionnaire
Please briefly describe your experience working in a position that allowed you to design or implement a strategy focused on  equity and anti-racism/social justice practice. Experience may be in government, education, social justice programs, public outreach, or engagement. If you do not have this type of experience, please enter N/A.
 
Questions? For questions about this recruitment, assistance with the application process or to request reasonable accommodation, email Ashley Harris at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. 
 
The Office of Equity is an equal opportunity employer. We work to create a workplace environment that honors and respects the sacred nature of each individual’s personhood. Racial and ethnic members of the global majority, women, persons with a disability, persons over 40 years of age, and Vietnam-era or veterans who are disabled are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations, help in the application process, or wish to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please call 360-725-0158 or dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.

Salary : $95,676 - $155,000