Racial Equity Strategic Advisor 1 Government Job Dept-Seattle Public Utilities Full Time

Is facilitating equity learning and institutional changemaking your dream job?  SPU is seeking a passionate individual who is dedicated to equity and race and social justice outcomes and skilled at facilitating inclusive and cutting-edge transformative empowerment practices and policy making.   

The successful candidate will help guide and transform SPU’s efforts to provide equitable policies, programs, and services and serve as racial strategic advisor supporting SPU staff and leadership. This position will work closely with a cohort of racial equity advisors and other SPU subject matter experts to evaluate and strategically enhance the impact of SPU policies, programs, projects, and services, on people of color, immigrants, refugees, people in low-income limited households, Limited English proficient communities, and internal staff. 

A successful candidate will have a strong desire to learn about the provision of core utility services and their impact within communities and grow strong relationship building, listening, coaching, and communication skills.  This work will also include partnering with other City of Seattle departments, community-based organizations, and learning from local and national peer networks and mentors to stay current on transformational approaches and practices. The position is a member of the Environmental Justice and Service Equity (EJSE) Team and reports to the Director of Corporate Policy and Planning in the General Manager/CEO’s office at Seattle Public Utilities.  

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit: 

• SPU Workplace Expectations
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join us?  

We know work isn’t only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including: 

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment 
• Generous benefits package  
• Free public transportation options 
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions 
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities 

• Partner with EJSE and other Racial Equity advisors and subject matter experts, SPU HR, and other City staff to develop, deliver, and continue to transform SPU and City RSJI learning and learning practices and inclusive engagement strategies.  
• Build and strengthen trusting and collaborative relationships to support racial equity work within and across SPU, communities, peer networks, and other key stakeholders. 
• Assist with leading, coaching and supporting SPU’s Branch Equity Teams (BETs) and other racial equity and related cohort work across the organization. 
• Partner with staff and consultants to develop and directly facilitate race and social justice awareness, learning tools and training across SPU.  
• Serve as a trusted racial equity planner, facilitator, and advisor specific to utility service and infrastructure issues and policy to support the work of SPU lines of business, other city departments, and other government and community-based organizations. 
• Work with others to support communicating, managing, tracking, planning, measuring, reporting, and presenting about SPU’s various equity efforts across the organization. 
• Participate in SPU’s policy community of practice and policy decision-making boards and work with others to develop and support policy work within SPU and external to SPU with institutional partners that advance racial equity.
• Facilitate application of SPU’s Racial Equity Toolkit (RET) to SPU policy, Director’s Rules, capital project investment, programs, services, and planning efforts. 
• Work with project teams to identify and mitigate inequitable impacts of SPU policies, programs, projects, and services on customers and staff.  
• Work with others to develop effective tools and strategies to embed performance measures, monitoring and other forms of accountability related to equity across SPU. 
• Other duties as assigned and applicable to advancing equity and empowerment work at SPU.

Please note this job advertisement 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. 

Experience: At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in a community-based organization, non-profit, government, educational, or utility setting focusing on addressing institutional racism and intersectionality while promoting culturally relevant engagement, empowerment and policy making. 

Education: A baccalaureate degree in ethnic studies, social work, psychology, public policy, community development, urban planning, public health, environmental studies or sciences, journalism, communication, history, education, or another multi-disciplinary area.  

Experience and Education Equivalency: Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements. 

The Ideal Candidate Should Possess some or most of the following: 

• Familiarity or experience working within a public utility or similar institution that provides core, essential services to the community;
• Curiosity and commitment to continuous learning, improvement and transformative practices that reflect cutting edge approaches, innovations, and understandings in the evolving  equity field;
• Effective advocacy and outcome-oriented success in driving systemic institutional changes and effective change management practices in government and/or private sector, grounded in principles of equity and anti-racism;
• Experience advancing and applying intersectionality and trauma-informed principles and tools within an organization;
• Proven ability to include and incorporate multiple, diverse perspectives when considering the impacts and outcomes of a policy and/or decision-making process; 
• Successful collaboration and partnering with multidisciplinary work groups to provide leadership and guide framing and planning direction that advances equity  principles;
• Development and delivery of inspiring learning activities that advance racial equity and social justice;
• Development and practice in culturally relevant engagement and education programs;
• Experience working with indigenous people, people of color, people within low income, immigrant, refugee, and Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities; and
• Ability to produce and deliver a persuasive policy brief, concise strategic framework, communication tools and/or exciting power point and clear messaging. 

How to Apply: In addition to fully completing the online application, please attach your resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should address your knowledge and experience, related to the position. 
  

Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment; however, due to the ongoing pandemic and Covid-19 state and local restrictions, hybrid telework/office/field assignment work will be available consistent with HR guidelines, and as circumstances dictate. We continue to seek guidance from local public health agencies and will proceed accordingly with any necessary changed or needs regarding “workplace location” expectations.

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

Who may apply: The City of Seattle 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. This position is open to all qualified 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.