Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

DIVISION: Affirmative Action

DEPARTMENT: Affirmative Action

UNION/GRADE: Non-Union/Grade 16

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BASIC PURPOSE:

Leads the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's (MWRA) Affirmative Action and Compliance Unit (AACU). Serves as MWRA's Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. Develops, supervises, administers, monitors and enforces the Authority's affirmative action plan for employment, contracting and procurement and all activities, policies and programs necessary to advance and maintain such plan and equal opportunity at the MWRA. Monitors compliance with and enforces the Authority's non-discrimination, harassment prevention and other related policies and Code of Conduct.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to the Chair of the MWRA Board of Directors, with administrative functions of AACU under the supervision of the MWRA Executive Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Exercises close supervision of AACU staff. Also exercises functional supervision, in collaboration with managers from the Human Resources Department and Law Division, of other employees who are assigned to investigate claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, updates, advances, monitors compliance with and enforces an annual affirmative action plan for the MWRA including systematic rules, standards, objectives, enumeration of goals and timetables consistent with applicable state and federal laws for equal opportunity and affirmative action programs in employment, procurement and contracting.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures and programs for equal opportunity in hiring, contracting and procurement to meet the requirements, goals and objectives of the affirmative action plan, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals and related state and federal laws.
• Presents the annual affirmative action plan to the MWRA Board of Directors for review and approval. Provides the MWRA Board of Directors with updates on MWRA's affirmative action plan and equal opportunity policies, programs and initiatives. Prepares and files other required reports and updates.
• Reviews and audits MWRA policies, procedures and practices to ensure that provisions comply with affirmative action plan and state and federal laws. Collaborates with Human Resource, Internal Audit, Law, Procurement and other departments as appropriate to recommend changes as necessary.
• Develops, implements. and maintains a strategic vision and operational plan to advance equal opportunity and equitable and inclusive practices at the MWRA in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
• Works with the MWRA Executive Director, Director of Human Resources and Division Directors in setting, revising and achieving the affirmative action plan and equal opportunity objectives of the MWRA.
• Develops and provides support on business planning strategies and objectives, including the objectives of the affirmative action plan and equal opportunity. Establish metrics to measure the success of objectives and programs established in the affirmative plan and related equity plans and programs.
• Works with the MWRA Law Division and Public Affairs Department to keep the Executive Director, Director of Human Resources and Division Directors apprised of legislative initiatives and changes in legal requirements related to affirmative action plans and equal opportunity.
• Informs the MWRA Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Divisions and Units of current policies, principles and practices relative to the affirmative action plan and equal opportunity. Reports on MWRA's performance measurements for all categories of positions within the MWRA.
• Serves as MWRA's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) chief compliance officer. Collaborates with appropriate staff to ensure the Authority's compliance with the ADA, including provision of training, employee notifications, the review of requests for reasonable accommodations and completion of interactive processes to respond to such requests.
• Advises and trains all levels of MWRA staff on issues related to compliance with constitutional requirements, statutes and regulations pertaining to civil rights, affirmative action and equal opportunity.
• Monitors compliance with the MWRA Code of Conduct, non-discrimination, anti-harassment and other applicable policies and procedures and applicable state and federal laws.
• Investigates, and/or supports investigations of, any claims, allegations, reports or observances of discriminatory acts and impacts of business, procurement or employment practices based on any category or characteristic protected by state or federal law, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, and veteran and marital status.
• Investigates, and/or supports investigations of, claims, allegations, reports or observances of any type of discrimination, harassment or retaliation directed toward any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of any category or characteristic protected by state or federal law, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, and veteran and marital status.
• Prepare reports and collaborate with Human Resource, Law and other departments to recommend remedies and remedial action, as appropriate, relating to investigations concerning claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or other violations of MWRA policies, procedures or Code of Conduct.
• Promotes an understanding of the MWRA's commitment to equal opportunity among its employees, those whom the MWRA serves, and those with whom it does business.
• Serves in a leadership role on, and provide guidance and support to, task forces and committees that promote and support equity, inclusion, equal opportunity and the MWRA's efforts to achieve healthy environments and clean water in the MWRA's customer communities.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in public administration, political science/government, management, human resources, gender studies, ethnic studies, or other related field. Graduate degree preferred; and
• A strong understanding of state and federal employment grant compliance regulations and the principles and practices of affirmative action, contract compliance and personnel administration as acquired through at least ten (10) years' experience,
• of which five (5) years should be in a managerial or supervisory capacity; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of professional accomplishment and an ability to work with all levels of management and employees.
• Experience with construction and professional service contract management and compliance preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License.
• Ability to work evenings or weekends for urgent business issues or respond to business calls on MWRA assigned phone after hours.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office machines as normally associated with professional administrative settings, including but not limited to the use of telephone, personal computer, word processing and other software, videoconferencing applications, copier, scanner and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.

There are no requirements that weight is lifted or force is exerted in the performance of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.

The noise level in the work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting. This position may be eligible for up to 50% telework.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or veteran status.