Human Rights & Equity Officer

The City of Duluth seeks a Human Rights & Equity Officer to oversee the Human Rights Office and lead the City's efforts to improve organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are looking for someone with previous experience and a willingness to expand expertise in both areas.

More specifically, the position's purpose is to direct and oversee the processes used for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of discrimination under the City's human rights ordinances in coordination with the City's Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights & Equity Officer will develop, plan, and direct the City's efforts and programs designed to ensure the City organization reflects the diversity of the city's residents; provides a welcoming and safe environment for employees to work in; and ensures City services are equitably available to all residents.

The individual in this position will serve as a liaison and resource for community efforts advocating for or addressing equity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and human rights issues. They will also serve as an advisory resource to the Mayor, City Departments, and external partners on issues related to human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The City of Duluth

The City of Duluth is in its early stages of operationalizing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging inside City Hall and across all Departments. With the help of consultants, City staff have created a strategic plan that will set the future Human Rights and Equity Officer up for success. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. Duluth, Minnesota's population is over 86,000 with a growing BIPOC population of 12.9 percent. Duluth is northern Minnesota's largest city and home to two colleges and one university. It offers historic neighborhoods, a vibrant cultural scene, a thriving craft district, and beautiful parks. Duluth is located close to Lake Superior's beautiful North Shore and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, while still an easy drive to Minneapolis and St. Paul. With its diverse offerings and welcoming community, Duluth is an ideal place to live, work, and explore.

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To direct and oversee the processes used for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints of discrimination under the City's human rights ordinances in coordination with the City's Human Rights Commission. To develop, plan, and direct the City's efforts and programs designed to ensure the City organization reflects the diversity of the city's residents; provide a welcoming and safe environment for employees to work in, and ensure City services are equitably available to all residents. To serve as a liaison and resource for community efforts advocating for or addressing equity, inclusion, equal opportunity, and human rights issues. To serve as an advisory resource to the Mayor, City Departments, and external partners on issues related to human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Mayor and City Council provide the overall vision and direction for the City's role in areas of human rights and in establishing its values around diversity, equity, and inclusion for the corporate City organization. The Director of Administrative Services provides strategic oversight and direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions. The incumbent is responsible for independently planning, designing, and implementing programs, projects, studies, and other initiatives.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Does have supervisory responsibility, typically for employees with little discretion. Makes decisions and/or recommendations about hire, termination, pay, and performance.

Focus Area 1 - Human Rights

• Serve as the City's Human Rights Officer, as established by ordinance, and assist the Human Rights Commission in performing its duties.

• Oversee the City's human rights and discrimination complaint process and review/refer complaints in accordance with city ordinances and state and federal law.

• Lead and coordinate the complaint investigation, mediation, dispute resolution, and other actions related to human rights complaints.

• Represent the City and develop and maintain relationships with organizations and community groups critical to furthering human rights and equity.

Focus Area 2 - Organization Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

• Serve as a liaison to all City departments, boards and commissions and develop relationships that build trust and partnership within the workplace.

• Lead, train, and coach staff on principles and practices of equity, including the development of training and professional development curriculum.

• Lead equity strategic plan implementation, including: Developing and tracking metrics, organizing work groups and planning efforts, and recommending policy improvements and program development.

• Serve as the City's Equal Opportunity Representative, including assisting with claims of work place discrimination/harassment and serving as the Equal Opportunity Officer for Workforce Investment Act providers.

• Serve as the City's Coordinator for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure compliance of City of Duluth programs and facilities and assist in improving accessibility concerns in the community.

Other Essential Areas

• Provide strategic guidance to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, and City Departments to ensure values of human rights, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are embedded in City internal and external processes and services.

• Demonstrate highly-effective leadership by promoting and supporting the mission and vision of the organization, recognizing and defining issues, and taking initiative towards improvements.

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the employees by maintaining two-way communication, producing consistent results, advocating for the team when appropriate, and offering expertise to improve processes, systems, and the organization.

• Manage employee performance, and provide training, coaching, and mentoring for employees that directly report to this position.

• Provide clear, sufficient, and timely direction and information, to the employees that directly report to this position, about plans, expectations, tasks, and activities.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

A.            Bachelor's Degree in political science, public administration, business administration, communications, human resources, organization development, or a related professional field, and three (3) years of related professional experience; OR a minimum of seven (7) years of related education and/or full-time, verifiable professional work experience with significant emphasis in human rights, equality, equity, and inclusion.

B.            Two (2) years of experience must include a position of similar complexity and level of responsibility.

License Requirements

A.            No specific licenses required

All highly qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates should provide cover letter, résumé and three references. Final selection of top tier candidates will be based on the combination of relevant education, experience, training, special skills, etc. that best fit the needs of the City. Those applicants with qualifications best suited to the needs will be contacted for interviews.