Career Center

The salary for this position is: $7,537 - $10,050 monthly.

Thurston County is recruiting for a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Senior Program Manager in collaboration with the County Commissioners’ Office and the Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) Department for countywide benefit through facilitation by PHSS. 

As the DEIA Program Manager, you will support the coordination for the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility benefiting the county through many efforts, starting with PHSS. This position represents Thurston County by piloting these efforts with PHSS and looking to further Thurston County replication in departments and in the community. You will act in a strategist role, serving as an engaged facilitator who promotes and builds collaborative relationships and initiatives that make meaningful progress in addressing DEIA and health inequities. 

This position provides coordination and leadership within PHSS and communities that we serve, to foster growth in knowledge, practice, and capacity across disciplines and organizations. The DEIA Program Manager applies a multi-sector approach to strengthen department, community, and interagency collaborations and partnerships to address identified equity needs and ensure external equity throughout the county.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Internal Initiatives:

• Create and lead the implementation and evaluation cycles of PHSS organizational DEIA strategic plan leading to a broader County plan and implementation 
• Present DEIA strategic plan and provide regular updates to staff, community partners, public officials, and other stakeholder groups
• Conduct qualitative equity interviews on an annual basis with staff, Board of Health members, and others
• Research and identify appropriate training opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge on topics related to DEIA
• Develop applications for funding to support DEIA initiatives and programs, and provide grant management of any grants applied for and directly funded for DEIA activities
• Assess the language accessibility of programs and services, and assist with any recommended changes
• Work with Epidemiologists to enhance the equity of current data collection and analysis; identify populations negatively affected by events and crises, and the conditions, systems, and structures that support these outcomes
• Review all PHSS recruitment and hiring practices with a DEIA lens, including the assessment of job descriptions and interview questions which can then lead to countywide improvements
• Facilitate equity onboarding training for all new PHSS employees
• Review and provide subject matter expertise on performance evaluations to include health equity goals for staff
• Present DEIA, health equity, and social determinants of health information to local, state, and national public health officials and groups
• Develop and implement strategies to engage staff in integrating DEIA into all programs and services:
  • Develop information, resources, and reports, including work plans
  • Assist in the development of information and resources for community education 
• Assist leadership in fostering a trauma-informed environment
• Coordinate and facilitate a monthly PHSS DEIA Committee meeting
• Create a monthly DEIA report and/or newsletter in coordination with Social and Wellness Committees and their established newsletters
• Review scientific evidence related to DEIA, concerns, interventions, training, and evidence-based or evidence-informed practices
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

External Initiatives:

• Assist with identifying, developing, and advancing public health interventions to improve social determinants of health and health equity in underserved communities
• Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders, including other professionals, in the development of local strategies to improve DEIA, health equity, and policy
• Operate the established Thurston County Council on Racial Equity and Inclusion to develop relationships with members and carry out the actionable strategic plan
• Partner with community partners and staff to implement ongoing outreach in underserved communities

To view the full job classification, click here: Senior Program Manager

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment: Quiet office settings in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working 1 day a week
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences, and/or trainings
• Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County is a fast growing and dynamic organization that is at the exciting intersection and change and growth. As one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Washington, there are many opportunities to help shape the future. A recently increased County Board of Commissioners (from 3 to 5) along with a new County Manager are charting a course for the next decade by building a team to accomplish its goals. The creation of a Racial Equity Council and the opportunity to work collaboratively with departments is part of this exciting new direction. 

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a field closely related to the specific position. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience related to public program and policy development at a regional level, including experience working with elected officials.
• Demonstrated competence in the principles and practices of public policy development and administration.  Must be able to demonstrate competency in supervising personnel involved in program implementation and in establishing and controlling budgets.
• Current Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position.
• Depending upon the area of assignment, a specialized certification or accreditation may be required of the position.

DESIRED SKILLS:

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, health education, or closely related field
• 2+ years of experience in community health, coalition coordination, program coordination, and/or functions related to DEIA
• Training in program area of mental health, first aid/trauma-informed care preferred
• Bilingual preferred

Respect and Organizational Culture

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

• Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569

This position is:

• Not represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Grant funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Possess a current Washington State Driver License or have an appropriate accommodation
• Please note: The candidate offered this position will be required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.