Director of Equity and Inclusion
Description
Orange County has an opening for the Director of Equity and Inclusion. The work involves the responsibility for overseeing and leading the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI). The Director is responsible for the implementation of Orange County’s One Orange goals to integrate equity in the organization through practical and impactful policies, procedures, programs, and services and leading the County’s Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARE) Workgroup, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Workgroup, providing support and consultation to departments/agencies, propelling the countywide values to advance equity and inclusion into organizational culture and service delivery in the County and its communities.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion currently consists of three full-time equivalent employees and operates with a $605,000 budget. The department leads countywide efforts in addressing persistent inequities experienced by County residents and throughout County departments to promote a culture of fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people. The Office provides accessibility services, including Language Access Services (LAS) to community members throughout Orange County seeking to access government services. The Office also addresses issues of discrimination, exclusion, and inequity, develops and sustains opportunities for community dialogue on addressing concerns affecting belonging or the ability to access full civic participation. The Director provides professional staff support to the Human Relations Commission.
Work is performed under the general direction of the County Manager with considerable leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding the administration of programs. Supervision over others is required of this position. Position does related work as required.
* Background Check is required.
The following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Leads and coordinates department staff as well as the County Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARE) Workgroup, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Workgroup, staff focused on equity, diversity and inclusion responsibilities, various related taskforces/committees, and provides professional staff support to the Orange County Human Relations Commission.
Develops, implements, and manages a strategic framework (County Racial Equity Action Plan) under which the county's approach to equity, inclusion, and diversity will be formalized, revised, and advanced.
Collects, analyzes, and presents data measuring the County’s progress on incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives in County programs and services.
Serves as a key liaison to the Orange County Human Relations Commission (OCHRC) as well as the community for equity and human rights efforts
Leads and advises County departments on community engagement strategies and assists departments on institutionalizing those efforts.
Administers and enforces the County’s Civil Rights Ordinance.
Manages and advises on efforts to improve the breadth and depth of community engagement across the organization.
Assists Human Relations Commission, and other workgroups, committees, and taskforces in carrying out policy directives and mission.
Advances and directs the County’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion of anti-discrimination laws in public accommodation, County programs, and services.
Leads the development, coordination, and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion training, tools, programs, efforts, and initiatives and collaborates with the County Manager’s Office and departments.
Supervises the work of staff on applicable projects, monitors project applications and the work of assigned programs.
Develops human and civil rights discrimination educational programming and outreach for Orange County.
Administers and trains staff on the use of the Racial Equity Assessment Lens and establishes countywide performance indicators and progress benchmarks to ensure accountability toward equitable delivery of County services.
Facilitates communication, coordination, and collaboration with County departments, employees, community members, and other stakeholders to make meaningful movement toward a more equitable County.
Ensures policies, procedures, budget decisions, program design, and other County functions are evaluated using an equity perspective as part of the decision-making process.
Facilitates collaboration of interdepartmental/agency task forces, teams, and working groups; builds effective partnerships with external organizations, both public and private, to support and achieve broad community DEI efforts.
Engages with community and/or interest/stakeholder groups (e.g., neighborhood organizations, environmental advocates).
Uses a variety of computer applications as communication, organization, research, analysis, and reporting tools.
Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Salary
$85,429.00-$148,553.00
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in in Sociology, Public Administration, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, or a closely related field AND four (4) years of demonstrated successful and progressively work experience in the administration of community, education, and/or social justice programs focused on the implementation of diversity and equity programming AND three (3) years of work experience serving as an administrative head or deputy/assistant of a similar department with responsibility of direct supervision of others, OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above. A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.
Special Requirements
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Ability to physically perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects including the human body.
Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting and extensive reading, and perform work on a computer and operate equipment.
Miscellaneous
About Orange County
Nestled in the hills of the North Carolina Piedmont, Orange County is located between the Research Triangle Park and the Triad cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. With more than 150,000 residents, Orange County includes historic Hillsborough, the county seat; Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina; and Carrboro and Mebane, former railroad and mill towns.
Described as “Around the Corner, Ahead of the Curve,” the County is culturally diverse, progressive, and a leader in practicing environmentally protective and sustainable development. Education, environment, excellent services and other quality of life issues are important to Orange County residents and to the Board of County Commissioners. The County encompasses 400 square miles of rolling farms and forest, vital urban centers and small towns. Orange County combines the best of cosmopolitan and rural values with an abundance of historical, social and cultural resources.
Within a few hours’ drive, residents can enjoy the coast or the mountains, and within its boundaries, residents and visitors can enjoy the charm of Orange County’s diverse communities.