Equity Strategic Advisor - Senate Democratic Caucus

Equity Strategic Advisor for the Senate Democratic Caucus

EXEMPT RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE: Equity Strategic Advisor

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff

LOCATION: Olympia, Washington

CLOSES: May 14, 2024

Senate Profile

The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually on the second Monday in January in the Capitol Building in Olympia. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and legislative members.

About the Senate Democratic Caucus Staff

The Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus (SDC) consists exclusively of Democratic members of the Washington State Senate. Our caucus staff is a collaborative team of forward-thinking administrative, policy, and communications staff dedicated to putting people first. Policy analysts provide analysis, advice, and bill development assistance in their respective policy areas to all Democratic Senators and their office staff. Communications specialists manage media requests and assist in any and all areas of external and internal communications for individual Democratic Senators and their offices. As a staff team, we are driven by a shared commitment to support Democratic Senators as they shape an equitable and inclusive future for all Washingtonians.

We bring to our work a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging. We believe in creating spaces where everyone can belong and thrive. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment. We recognize that only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes, can our staff achieve their fullest potential and best advance the work of our caucus.  

Position Profile

The Equity Strategic Advisor provides expert strategic advice and technical assistance to the Democratic members of the Senate and the staff of the SDC to transform caucus practices, policies, products and culture to embody diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging and to exemplify the values of the caucus. The Equity Strategic Advisor will be a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus Senior Staff. The advisor will work closely with a cohort of SDC staff representing the various teams (communications, policy, and liaison roles) within the SDC staff workgroup. Through strategic planning, coaching, training, technical assistance, facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution, this position will lead a process of institutional change that embeds intersectionality, social justice, and racial equity into the ways the caucus functions as a policy-making body, and in the policy the caucus generates.

We desire a colleague who centers community impact, builds organizational understanding on equity, and questions what is, to help find solutions for what can be.  A team member who supports elected members of the Senate Democratic Caucus as they shape a future where equity is woven into the fabric of our legislative process and caucus practices and culture.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop racial equity strategic plans for staff and members grounded in practical steps and measurable outcomes, monitoring implementation of the plans, and making recommendations to advance both short- and long-term goals.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical assistance to empower SDC members and staff as they work to develop goals and implement equity strategies.
• Mediate conflict and provide coaching and resources to members of the caucus to mediate conflicts.
• Facilitate or curate trainings, workshops, and more for the elected members and staff teams within the caucus.
• Collaborate with other DEI initiatives and staff across the legislature and state agencies.
• Collaborate with SDC policy staff to develop innovative processes, ideas, alternatives, and recommendations that assist members with their policy objectives.
• Collaborate with SDC communications staff to help Senators reach larger and more diverse audiences.
• Independently research current and emerging trends in fostering diversity, equity, access, and belonging within workplaces.
• Apply knowledge and abilities to critical issues to accurately assess and recommend specific actions.
• Independently analyze complex legislation and demonstrate awareness of potential scope of impact.
• Able to advise members quickly and promptly in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Develop strategies to assist members and staff in working with impacted people on complex policy and legislation.
• Provide mentoring to other staff.
• Partner with other staff designated to work on equity. 

Requirements

Critical Skill & Abilities

• Model racial equity in relationships with co-workers, colleagues, community, and others.
• Respect people’s lived experiences and reflect a deep intersectional understanding of race, social justice, and equity in your interactions and work.
• Communicate with authenticity at all levels effectively and tactfully.
• Demonstrate a commitment to anti-racist work, racial equity, and social justice in your professional practice, volunteer work, and/or lived experience.
• Be deeply curious, self-aware, and manage conflict and difficult situations.
• Think critically, apply racial analysis skills, and understand how change happens in institutional systems and settings.

Qualifications

A minimum of six years demonstrating:

• Experience strategically leading equity and social justice efforts at the organizational level, including the development of operational and strategic work plans.
• Organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage several projects successfully while also managing day-to-day priorities.
• Expertise in critical thinking and analysis of complex issues with the ability to communicate them to general audiences in a way that is easily understood.
• Experience advancing systems change and dismantling systems of oppression.
• Experience working and facilitating collaboration across multiple groups.
• Team management with the ability to influence, build relationships with others, motivate, and lead.
• A comprehensive understanding of racial equity and social justice principles, institutional racism, and demonstrated ability to apply knowledge to institutional work.
• An ability to demonstrate significant insight/lived experience working with and positively impacting historically marginalized communities.
• An ability to work independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve organizational goals.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Additional Desirable Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Coursework from an accredited college or university in social work, public administration, psychology, cultural studies, or another field with demonstrable applicability.
• Experience applying a results-based leadership or results-based accountability framework.
• Experience engaging in difficult conversations and/or leading training on topics related to diversity, inclusion, racism and/or inequity.
• Proven track record of facilitating meaningful conversations that ignite engagement and participation in process improvement or policy development.
• Familiarity with a Legislature, experience interacting with elected officials, or experience working within local, county, or state government.

Note: Diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role and will be considered. Candidates with any combination of lived and professional experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work will be considered.

Additional Requirements

• Long and irregular hours are required during the legislative session, including evening and weekend work. When the Legislature is not in session, flexible schedule options are available.
• This position works in-person in Olympia during the legislative session. When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work is supported, except when needed to be in-person for training or legislative meetings.
• This position is full-time and exempt from civil service.

Benefits

Salary Range

RCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The full range for the position is $8,374 - $14,514 monthly. The initial salary offered will consider internal equity and will be based on relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. A hiring salary will be less than the top of the range. A percent legislatively approved salary increase will be included effective 7/01/24.

Employee Benefits

The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions and savings bonds; and tuition reimbursement.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at [email protected].

The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.