Chief Equity Officer
About the Company
Baltimore is the largest city in the U.S. state of Maryland, and the 29th-most populous city in the country. It was established by the Constitution of Maryland and is not part of any county; thus, it is the largest independent city in the United States. Baltimore has more public monuments than any other city per capita in the country and is home to some of the earliest National Register historic districts in the nation, including Fell's Point (1969), Federal Hill (1970) and Mount Vernon Place (1971). More than 65,000 properties, or roughly one in three buildings in the city, are listed on the National Register, more than any other city in the nation.
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights is a city agency devoted to advancing equity and upholding the federal and local civil rights laws, the local living and prevailing wage laws ensuring access and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and providing oversight of local law enforcement. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights consists of: The Police Accountability Division, The Community Relations Commission, The Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, The Equity Office, The Wage Commission, and The Women's Commission.
About the Job
The City of Baltimore is looking for a dynamic and strategically thinking leader to serve as the Chief Equity Officer and Director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OCER). The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies to ensure adherence to best practices in equity and civil rights. The Chief Equity Officer serves as a catalyst for effective and visible organizational and community change, requiring high-level strategic and practical business acumen, quickly translating broad vision into concrete and impactful action.
In addition to operationalizing the City’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), to better serve our residents, the Chief Equity Officer provides direction and supervision to all OECR employees, in areas of civil rights investigations, community outreach and education, and necessary training and learning opportunities about civil rights and the laws that protect those rights.
As a key member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, the Chief Equity Officer will have the opportunity to shape equity initiatives and work on the forefront of civil rights issues. This position is ideal for someone with a strong background in civil rights law, equity strategy, and community engagement.
Responsibilities
Direct and manage the City of Baltimore’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights, including personnel decisions, budgetary management, performance management, contract management, etc.
Advances the City’s non-discrimination efforts through the prioritization and implementation of initiatives with internal and external stakeholders throughout Baltimore
Directs staff in the development and implementation of the City’s annual Civil Rights Week
Oversee and manage civil rights investigations and enforcement actions
Leads the City’s Equity Coordinator program
Develop and implement outreach initiatives to raise awareness about civil rights, educate the public on their rights and protections, and promote equity
Ability to assess current programs and practices for equitable outcomes
Collaborate with other agencies, civil rights organizations, community groups, and stakeholders to address civil rights issues effectively
In partnership with the Department of Human Resources, delivers fundamental and advanced training/programming and sets the tone and vision of heightened organizational awareness and cultural integration of equity and civil rights
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration, Sociology, Education, Ethnic Studies, Communication, Social Work, Public Health, Political Science or a closely related field
Master’s degree preferred
Minimum 7 years' work experience in community, educational, or social justice programs which focus, in part, on public programs to eliminate structural bias, of which at least 2 years must be in a managerial or supervisory
Knowledge & Skills:
Knowledge of human rights and civil rights issues
Knowledge in the management of diversity, equity, or inclusion programs
Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of equity including experience in applying equity frameworks to established laws, ordinances, and long-standing practices
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City officials, commission members, community/business leaders, and the public
