Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Senior Program Manager

The salary for this position is: $7,537 - $10,050 monthly.

Thurston County is recruiting for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Senior Program Manager in collaboration with the County Commissioners’ Office and the Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) Department for countywide benefit through facilitation by PHSS. 

As the DEIA Program Manager, you will support the coordination for the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility benefiting the county through many efforts, starting with PHSS. This position represents Thurston County by piloting these efforts with PHSS and looking to further Thurston County replication in departments and in the community. You will act in a strategist role, serving as an engaged facilitator who promotes and builds collaborative relationships and initiatives that make meaningful progress in addressing DEIA and health inequities. 

This position provides coordination and leadership within PHSS and communities that we serve, to foster growth in knowledge, practice, and capacity across disciplines and organizations. The DEIA Program Manager applies a multi-sector approach to strengthen department, community, and interagency collaborations and partnerships to address identified equity needs and ensure external equity throughout the county.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Internal Initiatives:

• Create and lead the implementation and evaluation cycles of PHSS organizational DEIA strategic plan leading to a broader County plan and implementation 
• Present DEIA strategic plan and provide regular updates to staff, community partners, public officials, and other stakeholder groups
• Conduct qualitative equity interviews on an annual basis with staff, Board of Health members, and others
• Research and identify appropriate training opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge on topics related to DEIA
• Develop applications for funding to support DEIA initiatives and programs, and provide grant management of any grants applied for and directly funded for DEIA activities
• Assess the language accessibility of programs and services, and assist with any recommended changes
• Work with Epidemiologists to enhance the equity of current data collection and analysis; identify populations negatively affected by events and crises, and the conditions, systems, and structures that support these outcomes
• Review all PHSS recruitment and hiring practices with a DEIA lens, including the assessment of job descriptions and interview questions which can then lead to countywide improvements
• Facilitate equity onboarding training for all new PHSS employees
• Review and provide subject matter expertise on performance evaluations to include health equity goals for staff
• Present DEIA, health equity, and social determinants of health information to local, state, and national public health officials and groups
• Develop and implement strategies to engage staff in integrating DEIA into all programs and services:
  • Develop information, resources, and reports, including work plans
  • Assist in the development of information and resources for community education 
• Assist leadership in fostering a trauma-informed environment
• Coordinate and facilitate a monthly PHSS DEIA Committee meeting
• Create a monthly DEIA report and/or newsletter in coordination with Social and Wellness Committees and their established newsletters
• Review scientific evidence related to DEIA, concerns, interventions, training, and evidence-based or evidence-informed practices
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

External Initiatives:

• Assist with identifying, developing, and advancing public health interventions to improve social determinants of health and health equity in underserved communities
• Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders, including other professionals, in the development of local strategies to improve DEIA, health equity, and policy
• Operate the established Thurston County Council on Racial Equity and Inclusion to develop relationships with members and carry out the actionable strategic plan
• Partner with community partners and staff to implement ongoing outreach in underserved communities

To view the full job classification, click here: Senior Program Manager

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment: Quiet office settings in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working 1 day a week
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and/or trainings
• Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County is a fast growing and dynamic organization that is at the exciting intersection and change and growth. As one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Washington, there are many opportunities to help shape the future. A recently increased County Board of Commissioners (from 3 to 5) along with a new County Manager are charting a course for the next decade by building a team to accomplish its goals. The creation of a Racial Equity Council and the opportunity to work collaboratively with departments is part of this exciting new direction. 

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage