Equity and Inclusion Consultant

Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where citizens succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Posting End Date: February 26, 2021

Job Title:  Equity & Inclusion Consultant.  This position is funded through the Safety and Justice Challenge grant and will lead collaborative racial equity work in our local criminal justice system. The position will support expanding data analysis and the review of policies and practices using the Racial Equity Workgroup’s equity tool; provide training opportunities to stakeholders; and partner with justice system stakeholders and community members to identify root causes driving already identified inequities and co-designing solutions and interventions.

Purpose of the position: The primary purpose of this position is to support the development, implementation, monitoring, and improvement of local government policies, programs, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts throughout the local criminal justice system.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Implement and facilitate trainings, workshops and events to promote equity and inclusion within the County and justice system partners.
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to help identify and support mechanisms to remove barriers and improve equity and inclusion within the justice system.
• Collaborate with County departments and justice system partners to develop strategies and tactics for increased equity through policies and programs, and design implementation plans that promote equitable outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal and external departments to develop, implement, and track results of the Criminal Justice Equity Action Plan.
• Provide technical assistance to internal stakeholders on using racial equity tools in day-to-day decision making.
• Support data analysis and research initiatives used to inform the Criminal Justice Equity Action Plan’s accountability and metrics reporting.
• Coordinate and support Interdepartmental Equity Action Teams in delivering core competencies of the Criminal Justice Equity Action Plan.
• Support data analysis and research initiatives used to inform the program’s Equity Action Plan’s accountability and metrics reporting.
• Provide leadership, guidance and support in the delivery of equity policy and initiatives in conjunction with internal and external partners.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Public Administration, Ethnic Studies, or a related field and a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated successful and progressively responsible experience in program management and leadership in the administration of community, education, and/or social justice programs which have a sustained focus on the implementation of diversity and equity programming; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Experience in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion, working professionally in the government, business, consulting, nonprofit, and/or academic sectors preferred.

Additional Information: This is a position is full-time, eligible for benefits, and grant funded. The end date for the grant is March 31, 2023 unless it is extended. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and best practices of diversity, equity and inclusion in both workplace and community settings; processes and procedures associated with development and implementation of equity programs; principles and best practices of change management; and best practices for community engagement and training.
• Knowledge of mission, goals, and objectives of the organizational unit, program, or activities to which incumbent is assigned;
• Skill in strategic and critical thinking; problem solving; Conflict resolution and mediation.
• Ability to analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.  .
• Knowledge of public administration and public policy development, including government financing mechanisms and intergovernmental relations.
• Ability to direct/support systems analysis, strategic planning processes, organization development processes.
• Ability to effectively analyze and develop programs, policies, and initiatives.
• Ability to develop positive relations with other departments and agencies, and elected officials, and to facilitate collaborative planning processes.
• Ability to develop performance measurement systems and initiate continuous improvement processes
• Ability to bring resources together to resolve a problem or provide a solution.
• Ability to analyze and interpret policy and procedural guidelines and apply this understanding to tasks.

Posting End Date: February 26, 2021