Equity Manager (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager 2)

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Job Description:

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 DEQs Headquarters Office in Portland Oregon.

Information Session:

We are hosting a virtual information session as an opportunity for interested folks to learn more about the agency and the position.

Day & Date: Friday November 21 2025

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Pacific Standard Time

Join via Zoom

Join via phone:

If needed the Zoom webinar ID is and the password is 741823.

In order to maintain anonymity for folks attending this information session will be set-up as a webinar with no addition attendees will only be able to ask questions in writing either by e-mailing ahead of time or by sending questions directly via the chat to the panel during the session.

The session will be recorded and a FAQ document will be created based on the session. If you would like a copy of the recording and/or the FAQ document please e-mail and you will receive this information once the information session is over.

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 states 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 Oregons air land and water. Here is a video about DEQ: 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 agencys 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 DEQs internal actions and initiatives The Office of Equity will coordinate with DEQs DEI Council and various affinity groups to ensure their initiatives align with the agencys overall Strategic Plan and DEI Plan while also providing guidance and consultation as needed.

While the outlined work reflects the agencys vision for the Office of Equity the Equity Manager will have the opportunity to further shape and develop the offices 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 DEQs programs and activities. You will provide vision leadership and expertise in developing and implementing programs policies and guidance for DEQs Environmental Justice (EJ) work Title VI activities and DEI initiatives ensuring DEQ advances equitable environmental outcomes and fosters a more inclusive addition you will ensure statewide mandates such as the agencys 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 Agencys Leadership Team you will advise on issues that may impact programs or work offering recommendations to address challenges or implement necessary changes within DEQs 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 organizations 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 advocatesdiverse 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 organizations 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 Bachelors degree.

Whats 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 DEQs 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.

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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-. 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 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 Securitys Form I-9 confirming authorization to work in the United 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 DEQs Recruitment Team at or . TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-.