Provides direct assistance to the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team regarding oversight and implementation of the Agency's equity platform, a comprehensive Board adopted directive, to ensure that all Metro plans, programs, and investments consider equity from the perspective of access to opportunities for LA County's most vulnerable populations and communities. The position will be responsible for designing initiatives that goes beyond compliance with applicable laws to think and implement innovatively about lifting communities because it is the right thing to do.
This position provides strategic leadership for the development and implementation of innovative equity initiatives that strengthen equitable access to opportunity and help ensure Metro's programs, projects & services deliver meaningful benefits to the diverse communities it serves. Responsible for further enhancing Metro's equity platform, delivering on projects and initiatives, and engaging community partners to advance Metro's equity goals.
Recruitment Timelines: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for August. The dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.
- Oversees and coordinates the equity platform portfolio across all Metro Departments; While Department heads and their staff will take the lead in developing and carrying out specific activities, this position will ensure that elements of the Platform as defined in its adopted “policy pillars” are applied appropriately to those actions
- Incorporates definitions of equity consistent with the Platform's focus on access to opportunity
- Directly engages underserved communities that are potentially impacted by Metro policies, programs, projects, or services; and addresses potential problems actively and responsibly throughout those efforts
- Identifies and carries out specific actions in partnership with other agencies or agents that are designed to improve access to opportunity via transportation;
- Recommends equity based education for staff, stakeholders and the Board of Directors through research, trainings, and peer industry collaborations
- Leads intra-agency coordination in support of, and between key equity initiatives; equity platform elements of the Policy Advisory Council; Identifies the medium- and long-range strategic plan actions necessary to build the national movement for racial equity in the agency as well as across the transportation sectors
- Develops, convenes and supports a new Equity Advisory Commission, that will consist of a core group of equity thought leaders throughout the LA County area, representing academia, foundations, and community representatives; facilitates and guides cross-disciplinary forums to address specific issues that Metro is facing
- Serves as the key point person and liaison with stakeholders and the general public regarding equity issues; maintains and develops relationships with advocates, foundations, and governmental representatives to further effective implementation of the equity platform
- Initiates, builds, and manages cohesive partnerships and professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels internal and external to Metro.
- Coordinates with the Department of Civil Rights on issues of mutual interest between equity based policy and regulation
- Provides reports to the Board on the implementation of the equity platform, and as required throughout the program
May be required to perform other related job duties
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:
Education- Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Social Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Social Work, Public Administration, Human Resource Management or a related field
Experience- Eight years of senior management-level experience working in the area of racial justice and anti-poverty work focusing on the advancement of organizational cultures into one of inclusivity, equity, and diversity
Certifications/Licenses/Special RequirementsPreferred QualificationsPreferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.The following are the preferred qualifications:- Experience designing effective and innovative strategies to advance equity in transportation services
- Experience engaging diverse stakeholders to gather information and engage in programs and initiatives to benefit underserved communities
- Experience coordinating with community partners, thought leaders and partner agencies to design and implement equity initiatives
- Experience designing training programs to socialize initiatives to stakeholders and individuals at various levels
- Experience communicating innovative ideas and gaining buy-in from executives, leadership, public officials, and stakeholders
Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)
- Racial, ethnic, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, gender and age-based initiatives focused to advance historically marginalized populations
- Effective strategies that are designed to advance equity for all stakeholders
- EEO and Affirmative Action rules and regulations
Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)
- Listening effectively, seeking and accepting feedback, and recognizing the importance of stretching oneself, learning, and growing
- Facilitate diverse groups of stakeholders to gather information and engage in programs/initiatives
- Organizational development analysis and a demonstrated ability to implement it
- Analytical and strategic thinking
- Program management
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Interact professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)
- Meaningfully engage a wide variety of stakeholders in challenging dialogue and critical self-reflection around racial identity, implicit bias, systemic racism, structural inequities, etc.
- Read, write, speak, and understand English
- Prioritize and manage work to meet deadlines
- Handle highly confidential information
- Understand, interpret and apply policies, procedures, contracts, laws, regulations and labor/management agreements
- Compile, analyze, and manage data
- Communicate with various levels within and outside of Metro
- Absorb and synthesize information quickly and adjust facilitation strategy accordingly
Special Conditions- This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
- The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
- Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
- This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
- Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
Working Conditions- Typical office situation
- Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
Physical Effort Required- Sitting at a desk or table
- Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
- Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
- Communicating through speech in the English language required
(JJC)
