The Equity & LGBTQ Liaison serves as a dedicated resource to advocate for, support, and improve relationships between the City of Richmond, communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community. This position facilitates communication, enhances access to government services, and advises on policies (local, state, and federal) to foster inclusivity and equity.
Community Engagement:- Act as a primary point of contact between communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community and local City of Richmond government agencies.
- Build and maintain relationships with communities of color, LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups, nonprofits, and community leaders.
- Represent the City at African American and LGBTQIA+ community events, meetings, and celebrations.
Policy and Program Development:- Provide input and guidance on policies, programs, and initiatives that impact LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color including grant funding, making, and reporting.
- Collaborate with City departments to ensure inclusivity in government services and programs including hiring policies and procurement practices.
- Monitor and recommend best practices to eliminate barriers and discrimination to City Administration and the Mayor’s Office.
Education and Training:- Develop and deliver training for government employees on LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and cultural competency.
- Create educational materials for staff and the community about LGBTQIA+ issues.
Advocacy and Support:- Serve as a resource for individuals reporting discrimination or seeking government assistance.
- Advocate for equitable access to the City’s public resources.
- Work with law enforcement and public safety departments to promote trust and understanding.
- Serve as an advocate for LGBTQIA+ policies and legislation on the local, state, and federal level.
Data Collection and Reporting:- Analyze data on diverse and equitable needs, issues, and participation in government programs.
- Create meaningful outcomes across City agencies to ensure equity and access to resources.
- Prepare reports and presentations to inform decision-making and policy development.
Other Duties as Assigned:- Oversees the Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Human Rights Coordinator and Commissioners.
- Collaborate with other City priority population liaisons to address overlapping community needs.
- Assist with the planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Manage the City’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard, working to ensure all materials are submitted on-time each year.
- Develop relationships with national and state equity-focused and LGBTQ+ organizations to improve resources and opportunities on the local level.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Social Work, Sociology, public health, psychology, public policy, or related field.
- Minimum of [five] years of experience in community engagement, case management, project management, advocacy, or a related role.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong understanding of equity issues, history, and cultural sensitivities.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and stakeholders.
- Experience in policy development, program implementation, and/or data analysis is a plus.
Other Requirements:
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and attend community events and meetings as needed.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analysis, and project management tracking.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, hear, and talk. The employee is frequently required to walk; and occasionally required to stoop; kneel; reach extending hands and arms in any direction; stand; push; lift objects from a lower to a higher position; move objects horizontally from position-to-position; grasp; and feel. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.
