Equity And Community Impact Specialist

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Equity and Community Impact Specialist. The position is responsible for supporting VDEM’s Equity integration work and provide strategic leadership and support to local emergency managers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensure equity considerations are incorporated into VDEM’s regional disaster and emergency prevention, response, and mitigation priorities, plans, and policies
• Provide technical assistance to fellow staff and local governments that need assistance and support integrating equity into their emergency plans, preparedness efforts, mitigation projects, response protocols, and recovery operations.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development of culturally specific and culturally responsive public outreach campaigns, programs, and policies at the intersection of public health and emergency management
• Complete equity assessments and social vulnerability analysis for VDEM regions
• Develop and promote the use of resources and materials such as maps, info-graphics, social indexes to inform chief regional coordinators and local emergency managers on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that intersect EM functions, programs priorities, and policies
• Advise the development of equity-focused operational objectives and response strategies and initiatives, prioritizing those most at-risk for disaster impacts.
• Ensure the executive leadership team, chief regional coordinators, and VDEM regional staff are updated on equity-related issues and report out on equity considerations during agency briefings
• Engage with traditional and non-traditional community partners who serve populations most negatively impacted by emergencies and disasters to guide emergency responses
• Use a data driven approach to inform community driven equity solutions related to disaster impacts across the Commonwealth
• Develop and conduct public health, disaster, and diversity, equity and inclusion curriculum and training for VDEM staff and local emergency managers
• Develop and oversee programs and policies to support agency and regional equity goals and initiatives
• Monitor and report quarterly on agency-wide and regional equity goals and achievements
• Support the agency’s ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts
• Report on the agency’s equity plans to agency stakeholders
• Ensure alignment among all agency divisions to support the diverse and under-resources populations
• Serve as subject matter experts on diversity, equity, and inclusion

Our mission is to sustain a Commonwealth that is safe, secure and resilient. To that end, we are committed to establishing, promoting, and maintaining a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued, and where all employees are respected, treated fairly, and afforded opportunities to develop and grow to their full potential.

All VDEM employees are designated as essential personnel and may be required to work during emergency situations such as inclement weather and natural or human-made disasters. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the Employee Work Profile.

• Considerable experience developing, delivering, or managing diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
• Demonstrated record in challenging and influencing peers to approach all work with an equity lens
• Ability to remain solution-focused and respectful in all interactions with staff and stakeholders
• Ability to engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote equity, collaboration, and partnership at the agency, regional, and local level
• Deep content knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices for organizations striving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive
• Experience advocating for and implementing change within an organization
• Strong management expertise; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines
• Ability to support and train other staff

• Master’s Degree in public health, homeland security, emergency preparedness, social work or a related field, or the equivalent in related Health Equity experience.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a fingerprint-based criminal history background check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3114, the selected candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Personal Interests as a condition of employment. Other financial, credit, driving, or degree verification checks may be required prior to employment for certain positions. A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired Commonwealth of Virginia employees.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a fingerprint-based criminal history background check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. Pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3114, the selected candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Personal Interests as a condition of employment. Other financial, credit, driving, or degree verification checks may be required prior to employment for certain positions. A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired Commonwealth of Virginia employees.