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Position Description

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is seeking a leader centered by their commitment to racial equity and empowerment to lead a high-impact team to support our Policy Division. The Policy division supports innovative, community-driven solutions that advance equity and race and social justice for all Seattle residents and community members. The division supports City decision-makers in ensuring civil rights protections through policy development and review. Policy staff advance Seattle’s commitment to social justice and ending institutional racism by creating capacity and space for communities most impacted, and those historically absent from, policy discussions. The work includes research, community engagement, data sharing, evaluation, policy development and drafting legislation.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) envisions a city of thriving and powerful communities that fosters shared healing and belonging. SOCR provides leadership in upholding civil rights and advance racial equity in the City of Seattle. The SOCR advances civil rights and removes barriers to equity by enforcing illegal discrimination laws in Employment, Housing, Public Places, Fair Contracting, Title VI, and ADA Title II in the City of Seattle. We also work to realize the vision of racial equity by leading the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

The Policy Division Director elevates community driven policy in collaboration with SOCR staff, City departments, the Mayor’s Office, and City Council. As a leader and convenor the Policy Division Director promotes a city of thriving and powerful communities that fosters shared healing and belonging. The position reports directly to the SOCR Director, supervises 4-6 SOCR staff members and provides operational oversight of their workplans.

Job Responsibilities

Here is more about what you will be doing: 

  • Ensure that SOCR ‘s policy agenda and approach lift race equity as an overarching value in advocacy work, develop and implement plans in a manner that increases the power and voice of impacted communities to effectuate sustained change, and centers the SOCR’s community agreements in internal operations.
  • Serve as a technical expert and SOCR liaison in the development of civil rights protection policies and represents SOCR in presenting policy information to community, the Mayor’s Office, and City Council.
  • Lead the division’s work to increase transparency and accountability in public policy. Work with Policy staff to identify opportunities and provide leadership to set organizational policy goals, priorities, and positions within specific issue area(s).
  • Actively collaborates, facilitates, and build systems for both cultural & structural cross departmental work and strategies. Supports and assists in the development of integrated advocacy policies, tools, and best practices.
  • Manage the development of civil rights legislation from idea to implementation – including stakeholder engagement, drafting of legislation, and supporting the rule making process. Monitors and provides guidance on state actions with significant civil rights impacts. 
  • Mentor, supervise, and support Policy Division staff and encouraging the growth of their advocacy skills; substantive knowledge of issue areas; policy and political acumen; communications skills, and ability to develop and sustain strong networks of collaborators. 
  • As a member of SOCR Leadership team collaborate with the Cross- Pollination team to help shepherd cross-team development of multiyear strategies to advance advocacy goals. Encourage strategic sequencing, pivots in strategy, working through conflict, and maximizing capacity to execute strategies. 
  • In collaboration with SOCR Director, regularly evaluate alignment between program needs and resources to support effective advancement of SOCR mission, vision, values, and programmatic goals. 
  • Maintain strong relationships with external community partners to ensure that SOCR’s advocacy work is responsive to community needs and increases the power of impacted communities to effectuate sustained change.
  • Actively participate in SOCR RSJ work. This may include utilizing RSJ race equity tools, adopting RSJ race equity practices, etc. 

You will be prepared for this role if you have the following knowledge and skills:

  • Understanding of institutional racism, racial equity, and social justice principles with the demonstrated commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice
  • Expertise in public policy related to civil rights protection
  • Strong research and analytical skills relating to public policy, legislation, and regulation
  • Technical writing skills with the ability to produce issue briefs and draft legislation
  • Strong understanding of municipal legislative processes and the ability to quickly develop expertise in Seattle’s legislative and political process
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex information in a manner that informs diverse audiences. 
  • Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills, especially as it relates to facilitating effective collaboration among people from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. A high degree of emotional intelligence and ability to exercise judgment in complex situations.
  • Demonstrated ability to listen and create space for diverse perspectives.

Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to: 

  • Respect people’s lived experience and reflect a deep understanding of race, social justice and equity in your interactions and work. 
  • Quickly develop understanding of different civil rights and civil liberties issues and to advocate effectively in multiple issue areas.
  • Provide thought leadership to policy agendas and priorities with a racial equity lens
  • Navigate a political environment and have difficult, respectful conversations with people of all identities and backgrounds
  • Encourage, develop, and maintain community partnerships to inform civil rights policy and protections.
  • Work closely with communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities, and other historically marginalized communities.
  • Effectively manage one’s own work as well as the work of others and to achieve long term strategic objectives.
  • Compassionately hold teams accountable and celebrate their work. 
  • Ask thoughtful questions to challenge how things have always been done and inspire growth and positive change. 
  • Cultivate a work culture that embraces transparency, accountability, and collaboration. 

Qualifications

A strategic and pragmatic vision for the expansion of civil rights protection is essential to the work of the Policy Division Director. To be successful this leader draws upon expertise in public policy development and the legislative process; an understanding of the dynamics of power and privilege in the protection of civil rights; and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Essential is a deep appreciation for the voice of those most impacted by, and those historically absent from, public policy in the legislative process – an appreciation gained through listening and learning from these communities. The work requires an acknowledgement and understanding of the institutional barriers and burdens that criminal legal involvement creates. Supervisory skills and experience in managing people is also critical to leading the division. 

Additional Information

This full-time benefitted position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, General Government in the City payroll system. It is covered under the Civil Service System and FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime payment). The full salary range for this position is $99,953 to $149,918 annually ($47.87 - 71.80 hourly). The salary range for this individual role has been identified as $110,747.52 - $149,918.40 annually ($53.04 - $71.80 hourly).

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to work in-office two days a week. Employees will be expected to work in the office two days a week. Telework option is available 3 days a week under current City of Seattle policy. This position may need to work occasional evenings/weekends. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Why work at the City of Seattle

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services. 

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Please note this job ad is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

APPLICATION PROCESS: 

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, please submit your application as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

In addition to completing the application www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle please upload:

  • A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and your motivation to support work of SOCR
  • A PDF or MS Word resume which illustrates your related skills and abilities.

The information provided in your application materials is critical to evaluating your candidacy for this position. We encourage you to be thoughtful and purposeful in the construction of your application packet. Here is resource for Application and Interviewing tips (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) with the City of Seattle.

The first round of virtual interviews for this position is tentatively scheduled for the week of April 22, 2024.

Who may apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.

Questions? Please contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov. 

To learn more about the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/civilrights.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: 

"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

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Confirmed 22 hours ago. Posted 12 days ago.

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