Are you interested in using your leadership skills to help advance environmental protection and justice for all communities and ecosystems in Oregon, now and for future generations? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.

Opportunity:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for an Equity Manager (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager 2). This position is based out of DEQ’s Headquarters Office in Portland, Oregon.

The Agency:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU

DEQ’s Office of Equity supports the agency in its mission by advancing its environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, including meaningful involvement and equal protection, across all aspects of the agency’s work. The office and its staff provide environmental justice technical assistance to DEQ programs, creating guidance and resources for use by agency programs, and leading cross-functional teams and workgroups focused on advancing environmental justice principles. The office also serves as a central convening and coordinating entity within DEQ to ensure the agency is responsive to external requests and mandates.

The Office of Equity leads the advancement of DEI initiatives at DEQ and advises and collaborates with leadership on equity-based agency work, decisions, and policies. The Office of Equity works with other state agencies on DEI initiatives at an enterprise-level, linking that work to DEQ’s internal actions and initiatives The Office of Equity will coordinate with DEQ’s DEI Council and various affinity groups to ensure their initiatives align with the agency’s overall Strategic Plan and DEI Plan, while also providing guidance and consultation as needed.

While the outlined work reflects the agency’s vision for the Office of Equity, the Equity Manager will have the opportunity to further shape and develop the office’s priorities and initiatives as the organization continues to advance its equity goals.

Click here to view a map of all the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

You will lead the Office of Equity and its work for the agency, including recruiting, supervising, and directing a team responsible for promoting and incorporating inclusion values throughout DEQ’s programs and activities. You will provide vision, leadership, and expertise in developing and implementing programs, policies, and guidance for DEQ’s Environmental Justice (EJ) work, Title VI activities, and DEI initiatives, ensuring DEQ advances equitable environmental outcomes and fosters a more inclusive workplace. In addition, you will ensure statewide mandates, such as the agency’s DEI Plan and annual reports to the Environmental Justice Council (EJC), are completed on time and with a quality product. As a member of the Agency’s Leadership Team, you will advise on issues that may impact programs or work, offering recommendations to address challenges or implement necessary changes within DEQ’s EJ, Title VI, and DEI initiatives.

As a State supervisory manager, you will be expected to develop proficiency in, as well as model to others, these competencies: Proactive Communication, Innovation, Intentional Engagement, Mentoring & Developing Others, Stewardship, and Business Acumen. 

These competencies are demonstrated by:

• Ensuring staff are supported and have the tools, learning, and equipment necessary to perform their duties.
• Coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff; meeting regularly with staff to provide leadership, guidance, and feedback, and to encourage skill development and career growth.
• Setting clear work objectives, goals, and expectations for staff; evaluating performance and addressing performance in a timely manner.
• Building team cohesion; encouraging collaboration and ensuring staff are cross-trained.

Desired Attributes/Skills:

Candidates who are most competitive will reflect the desired attributes below; however, you do not need to have all of these attributes to apply!

Strategy, Policy, & Agency Leadership:  

• Proven ability in providing strategic leadership that aligns an organization’s goals with diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and environmental justice outcomes.  
• Skill in developing and communicating a clear DEI vision and strategy for the organization; adept at tailoring internal and external communications and messaging to best suit the audience(s).  
• Experience advising executive leadership on equity-informed policy, rulemaking, and strategies.  
• Ability to effectively ensure timely and high-quality implementation of DEI expectations and environmental justice initiatives.  
• Knowledge of change management frameworks and principles and how to apply them in equity-centered transformation efforts.  
• Demonstrated ability to develop accountability measures to ensure both leadership and other staff are making progress on moving DEIB initiatives forward. 
• Demonstrated ability to reconcile personal advocacy with the broader rules and goals of the organization. 

Program & Operational Management:  

• Experience managing new and emerging DEI/EJ programs and employees with political and public visibility, including resource planning and interagency collaboration.  
• Strong organizational development skills, including measuring performance using qualitative and quantitative information.
• Familiarity with applying an equity framework and analysis in organization budget and decisions.  

Equity-Centered Supervision & Workforce Development:  

• Experience leading the work of a diverse team responsible for promoting and incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion values throughout the programs and activities of an organization.  
• Experience coaching, mentoring, developing, motivating, and investing in the growth and development of staff through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.  
• Commitment to navigating and facilitating a psychologically safe, culturally responsive, and respectful workplace through a trauma-informed approach.  
• Understanding of or experience working with labor unions, particularly in a public sector setting.

Community Engagement & Environmental Justice:

• Experience working directly with and building trust across frontline communities, tribal governments, environmental justice advocates, diverse communities, departments, and teams.
• Knowledge of community engagement and public engagement processes that elevate and include community voices and those who have been disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized in evaluation, design, and decision-making. 

Collaboration & Intergovernmental Relations:  

• Experience providing direction and counsel to Human Resources partners and to other organization employees to collaboratively advance DEI practices, learning, and policies, and to collaboratively work through conflicts or issues related to equity and inclusion. 
• Experience working as part of a leadership team to advance mutual objectives to benefit the organization.  
• Skill in relationship-building and collaboration with administrators, department heads, legislative bodies, community leaders, and executive offices, including sharing best practices and contributing to enterprise-wide DEI efforts.  

Training and Culture Building:  

• Experience guiding organizations through anti-racism and cultural transformation change initiatives, including assessing an organization’s training needs and readiness and making recommendations to leadership team.  
• Experience using inclusive facilitation techniques to resolve conflict and promote a shared culture of equity.  

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: 6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

What’s in it for you!

DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. You will receive a comprehensive, competitive, and affordable benefits, leave, and wellness package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 11 paid holidays
• 10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
• Optional life insurance packages
• Flexible spending accounts
• Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Optional deferred compensation retirement program
• Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Continuous growth and development opportunities
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
• A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions

This is a full-time, management service supervisory position.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

This position will be based out of DEQ’s Portland office; however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.

Most work is performed in a professional office setting with multiple demands on time. There is frequent work under tight deadlines. This position requires some travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, site visits, trainings, and public hearings, some of which may involve evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. There may be extended work hours needed during Legislative Session and/or emergencies. This position requires occasional lifting of objects which weigh up to 25lbs.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account.  View this knowledge article for assistance.

Helpful Tips:

• Be sure to attach a resume and cover letter.
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Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials.

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Veterans Information:

DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those later.

Equal Pay Analysis:

As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.