Equity, Racial, and Social Justice Manager

Summary

Do you have a fiery passion for environmental justice and the creation of an equitable, anti-racist, sustainable future? The Solid Waste Division (SWD) is on a transformative journey to foster equitable, systemic change in capital projects, service delivery, and employee engagement. This is your chance to champion institutional change, collaborating with community representatives to serve the public better and drive greater benefits for an equitable, socially just, prosperous, and healthy future.

King County’s SWD is dedicated to providing equitable services and opportunities for all. Reporting to the Division’s Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager (EIB Manager), these positions will spearhead innovative and strategic initiatives that advance King County’s Equity, Racial, and Social Justice Strategic Plan. With a dynamic portfolio that includes transitioning from a linear to a circular economy through Re+ , embedding equity and social justice in Capital Projects via the Sustainable Infrastructure Scorecard , and amplifying community voices in the Long-Term Disposal plan, the Equity, Racial, and Social Justice Managers (ERSJM) will be key experts in integrating equity and social justice within Solid Waste programming and initiatives. They will also contribute to strategic decision-making and programming at both the Division and Departmental levels, including providing insights on the Strategic Climate Action Plan , developing Departmental guidance on tools like Participatory Budgeting and Community Compensation, and actively participating in the Division’s Equity and Social Justice Committee.

We are filling two Career Service (i.e. regular) positions and may use this recruitment to create a list of candidates for any potential vacancies in similar positions within the next 12 months. The classification of these positions are Project Program Manager III.

About this Role:
ERSJ Managers will be responsible for developing and implementing a systematic approach to ESJ in our Capital Improvement Project (CIP) program and sequenced critical actions to implement our ESJ Strategic Plan and ensure alignment between Division and Department and County-wide goals and efforts.

The persons in these positions will work to accelerate and improve the quality of SWD’s efforts in becoming both a more equitable, racially diverse, and inclusive work environment and help our division deliver services consistent with King County’s values. The persons in these positions will work independently with limited general day-to-day oversight as well as work closely with senior project managers to plan, design, and implement projects and lead ESJ strategy and support to SWD’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) program. Projects may include landfill area development and closure, recycling and transfer stations, and operational enhancements.

About the Team:
This is an opportunity to work closely with the Division’s EIB Manager, SWD’s Project Management Office, and other Division staff, management, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), and the County’s centralized Office of Equity, Racial, & Social Justice (OERSJ) to influence the decisions and work done within the division as well as, build authentic and accountable relationships with frontline communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.

Opportunity to Learn More: We invite you to join an MS Teams Meeting Open House to learn more about this position. The Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager from the Division Director’s Office section will be available to describe the work culture and job duties and there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. We will hold this event on Tuesday, March 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. To participate in the meeting, click here . To join audio-only, please dial +1 425-653-6586 and use the Meeting ID: 542 809 324#.

Commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As the Equity, Racial, and Social Justice Manager, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will De Doing:

• Provide Equity, Racial, and Social Justice leadership, strategy, and support for the division’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) program and lead the pro-equity system vision and other identified programs.
• Coordinate and collaborate with SWD communications team on a CIP community engagement plan and King County’s Green Building Team to complete the King County Sustainable Infrastructure Scorecard - ESJ Credits.
• Manage relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs), ESJ consultants, multicultural media organizations, and other partners and professionals to ensure we are meeting the outcomes outlined in the King County ESJ Strategic Plan and the DNRP ESJ Policy.
• Build and strengthen trust and relationships with SWD employees and frontline communities in King County.
• Provide consultation, training, and facilitate the development of the Project Management Office section and other SWD staff in understanding how racism and other oppressions are unconsciously internalized by individuals and the institution.
• Provide support to the EIB Manager in division-wide Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) work.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• A passion for equity, social and racial justice, and experience in implementing equity projects, policy development, and analysis.

• Working knowledge in a professional or personal capacity towards racial justice, anti-racism, or social justice issues impacting BIPOC individuals and communities.
• Utilizes project management tools to manage multiple projects, along with excellent organizational skills and strategies to move work forward.

• Experience in leading projects and representing project goals, achievements, and plans to Division and Departmental Leadership, community partners, and colleagues in clear, concise, and accessible manner.
• Understanding and concrete experience in utilizing equity tools (including Equity Impact Review and/or other resources) on projects, programs, and/or capital projects and teach others.
• Demonstrated ability to form and hold authentic and accountable relationships with members of frontline communities in King County disproportionately impacted by climate change.
• Ability and willingness to be risk seeking to disrupt oppression and racism, including talking explicitly about race in racially mixed groups in ways that normalize the behavior and draw others in.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity - Make sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Instills Trust - Gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented - Take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Situational Adaptability - Adaptable approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Being Resilient - Ability to handle adversity and difficult situations while exercising proper tact and judgement in the field and in the office.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Working knowledge participating on a project team for public works capital projects or project management of public works capital projects.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically a few times a month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance of King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Please apply even if you don’t think you have every qualification listed in the qualifications and competencies sections above.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a Complete Application, Resume and Cover Letter .
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jemima.McMahon@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments, and check us out on Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 3/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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