Portland launches search for first diversity, equity and inclusion director

The city of Portland is searching for its first director of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, a new position that will be charged with promoting equity and inclusion in city work and ensuring compliance with civil rights laws.

The position, which the city started advertising for Friday, is newly funded in the fiscal year 2023 budget and follows a number of recommendations from the city’s Racial Equity Steering Committee last year, including a call for establishing a department of racial equity and a permanent director of racial equity in the city manager’s office.

“I’m looking forward to having a member of our leadership team squarely focused on these issues to better guide our efforts to create a more just, diverse, equitable and inclusive city,” Interim City Manager Danielle West said in a statement Friday. “I’m glad we’re taking this first step in responding to the recommendations outlined in the work completed by the Racial Equity Steering Committee.”

The justice, diversity, equity and inclusion director will report to the city manager and lead the city’s first Office of Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The director also will act as an adviser to the city manager on issues of diversity, equity and inclusive practices both within city government and throughout the broader community.

“I look forward to the broad work the JDEI director will do, both internally and externally, to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in an effort to address racial justice and equality and to help us define a shared vision, strategy and work plan to achieve short and long term progress in this area,” Mayor Kate Snyder said in the city’s statement.

“I’d like to thank my colleagues on the council and city staff for making progress on this effort and approving the funding for this hire as part of the budget,” Snyder said. “I also look forward to this position taking the lead on considering recommendations made by the council-appointed Racial Equity Steering Committee.”

The director will work to create a culture that is mindful of diversity, equity and inclusion in the delivery of city services and operations as well as administrative policy, the city said.

And they will be responsible for ensuring the city is compliant with language access laws, state and federal laws requiring access to city services and buildings by people with disabilities and civil rights laws. The salary range for the position is listed in the job posting as between $103,650 and $127,368.

The Racial Equity Steering Committee was appointed by Snyder and the council in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by a police officer to address systemic racism in public safety and recommend any necessary changes.

One of several recommendations that came out of the committee was for the creation of a department and director of racial equity. City spokesperson Jessica Grondin said Friday that the broader position the city is creating was further developed based on guidance from the council and staff.

The committee also called for at least two staff members to support the director of racial equity. Grondin said the initial funding in this year’s budget only includes money for the director position, but the concept is for the city to eventually build out the office with other staff.

“Thanks to my colleagues on the council, members of the Racial Equity Steering Committee and city of Portland staff for recommending and creating this office,” City Councilor Pious Ali, co-chair of the committee, said in the statement from the city. “I believe it will help our city mitigate the issues of inequity and move us towards best practices.”