Application Procedure: This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Applications submitted by April 19 will be screened and considered first. Applicants must submit a (1) King County Application, and (2) letter of interest. The letter of interest should describe how your experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job.

Position Summary:
The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) is looking for an energetic and passionate Equity & Social Justice Program Manager. This position will lead the department efforts in becoming both a more equitable, racially diverse and inclusive work environment and help our department deliver services in a just way.  This individual will plan, coordinate and lead numerous multi-faceted projects and programs to support equity and social justice.  This is an opportunity to work with staff and management and influence the decisions that are made within the organization.

About King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP): The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks works to advance sustainable and livable communities and a clean and healthy natural environment that support a prosperous and resilient economy.  With roughly 1800 employees, its mission is to provide regional parks and trails; protect the region’s water, air, land, natural habitats and historic properties; and reduce, safely dispose of, and create resources from wastewater and solid waste.  The Department is comprised of Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment and Water and Land Resources divisions.  The Director’s Office coordinates between divisions and departments, and leads or supports several countywide initiatives, including key roles in the County’s response to climate change, and in equity and social justice issues.

Job Duties

• Lead department-wide Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) work, including ESJ Strategic Plan implementation and regularly engaging with the Office of Equity and Social Justice in this effort, and represent DNRP on the County’s ESJ Inter-branch team.
• Prepare performance dashboards, other regular performance reports, and summarize results and interpretations of findings for a wide range of audiences including policy makers, agency leadership, employees, and/or community representatives
• Build and strengthen trust and relationships within DNRP divisions, employees, community partners, and other key stakeholders, especially those who need the greatest support
• Lead and participate in programs, committees, strategic initiatives and longer-term plans, and/or projects and serve as the DNRP representative on assigned countywide initiatives in coordination with other Departments, the Executive’s Office and/or Council.
• Conduct and apply racial equity data evaluation and analysis, using both qualitative and quantitative data, internal and community-facing, to guide strategic thinking and decision-making
• Build internal capacity in understanding the principles of institutional and structural racism, and the disparities and barriers created. Highlight opportunities to utilize ESJ competencies to examine and remove the impacts of institutionalized and structural racism.
• Facilitate the development of the DNRP leadership and staff in understanding how racism and other oppressions are unconsciously internalized by individuals and the institution, and how this affects intergroup relations and organizational behavior.
• Assist the Department’s contracting equity efforts by assisting each division in developing and implementing strategies that increase the accessibility for small MBE, WBE and community based organizations serving communities of color, immigrants and refugees, low-income populations, and limited English speaking communities.
• Gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate evidence, data and other information to highlight relevant inequities or challenges within the County. Move others toward a course of action and implement values-driven, data-supported decisions and strategies for the Department.
• Develop the DNRP calendar of ESJ events, as well as the training curriculum. Co-facilitate events as needed. Provide technical, logistical and other support to internal and external event facilitators. Provide hands-on training to new facilitators. Handle event promotion, registration, evaluation, and attendance tracking.
• Coordinate DNRP EEO/AA reporting and assist managers and supervisors in collecting and analyzing employment data, identifying problem areas, setting goals and timetables and develop programs to achieve goals in collaboration with human resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsWhat makes a candidate ideal?

1. A passion for equity, social and racial justice, and experience implementing equity projects, policy updates, and analysis.
2. Has lived experience working in a professional or personal capacity towards racial justice, anti-racism, or social justice issues impacting Native Americans/American Indians/Alaska Natives, Indigenous Peoples, communities of color, and immigrants and refugees.
3. Takes risks to disrupt oppression and racism, including talking explicitly about race in racially mixed groups in ways that normalizes the behavior and draws others in.
4. Effective consulting skills with the ability to deliver effective outcomes with demonstrated achievement levels using performance measures.
5. Has designed and implemented systems that address and dismantle institutional and structural racism and its impact on marginalized communities.
6. Utilizes project management tools to manage multiple projects, along with excellent organizational skills and strategies to move work forward.
7. Understands how to work with internal teams/committees where employees feel heard and inspired.  Effectively engages with a diverse set of employee teams and work place cultures including those in skilled trades.
8. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with conflict in healthy ways, while working in an environment that at times can be ambiguous and politically sensitive.
9. Engaged in ongoing self-exploration related to race, power and privilege, including performing stakeholder analysis.
10. Ability to assist department leaders in translating business strategy and objectives into attainable goals and plans that are aligned with the County’s Equity and Social Justice and the Department’s equity goals.
11. Understands how to utilize an equity approach (Equity Impact Review or other resources) on operations and capital projects and can teach others.
12. Identifies opportunities to enhance a racially and culturally diverse workforce through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
13. Has a valid WA state driver’s license and the desire to travel to any of the DNRP worksites to engage with supervisors/staff.  A large percentage of time will be spent outside of downtown Seattle.

Supplemental InformationKing County and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks values diverse perspectives and life experience and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Work schedule: The workweek is normally Monday through Friday with occasional weekend or evening work as needed. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. However this position will be eligible for approved Executive Leave.

Work location: King Street Center (201 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA) and a large percentage of time at various worksites throughout King County.

Selection Process: Applicants who meet the required qualifications will be screened based on the clarity, completeness and content of their application materials. After initial screening, the most competitive candidates will be invited for further interviews and reference checks.

Union Membership:  Positions in this classification are not currently represented.

Contact Information: For questions regarding this announcement, please contact Steve Namkung at steve.namkung@kingcounty.gov