Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion Compliance Coordinator

About the role

The City of Portland serves more than 70,000 residents, 12,000 businesses, and many visitors, representing a wide variety of cultures, abilities, religions, races, sexual orientations and identities, veteran status, spoken languages, socio‑economic status, and other characteristics. According to the latest census, 22.5% of residents are non‑white, and the Portland Public Schools reports that more than 28% of its students are English language learners and 52% are economically disadvantaged. The City has strong organizations supporting its LGBTQIA+ constituents, citizens with disabilities, immigrants, neighborhoods, and others, and a long‑standing commitment to equity and inclusion in its operations and to ensuring that its services are accessible to all constituents. At the heart of municipal operations is the City Manager’s Office—the Executive Department dedicated to public service and efficient government. Working hand‑in‑hand with elected leadership, the executive team oversees 13 city departments and 1,400 staff members to keep the community thriving, safe, and moving forward. To further that commitment, the City is seeking an Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Compliance Coordinator to work with the City’s elected officials, leadership, and staff—as well as the community—to ensure that all constituents can equitably access the City’s services. The Coordinator is responsible for guiding the City in ensuring that it embraces not just technical compliance but also embodies the inclusive spirit behind public accessibility laws, such as the Civil Rights Act Titles I, II, III, and VI (including language access); Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to public accessibility; Maine Human Rights Act as it relates to public accommodations; and all other applicable laws, rules, and policies as they relate to public access and accommodations. They also help citizens—particularly those from traditionally underserved groups—navigate municipal government and support the City Manager in initiatives designed to increase inter‑cultural connection and understanding. This position reports directly to the City Manager, but has extensive involvement with Departments.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the City’s compliance with public accessibility laws, including by analyzing and making recommendations on policies and procedures.
• Managing the City’s Language Access Program, including coordinating with departments and others.
• Acting as the hearing officer for any complaints or grievances under the Public Accessibility Laws or implementing policies.
• Ensuring that City staff is fully trained in all obligations under the Public Accessibility Laws, as well as best practices around accessibility and inclusivity in public government.
• Helping citizens—particularly those from traditionally underserved groups—navigate municipal government, including by building trusting relationships with historically underserved and marginalized communities.
• Working with the Community Engagement Coordinator to proactively engage, educate, and respond to concerns of those groups and communities with respect to City services.
• Acting as a liaison with departments and assisting with navigating municipal government services.
• Assisting with addressing concerns about treatment in connection with, or accessibility of, City services.
• Managing and overseeing the Sister Cities program.
• Supporting the City’s Naming Committee and naming initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, legal compliance, community access, program development, or other relevant areas; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex topics for general audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and operationalize strategies to include underserved populations in government programs.
• Ability to establish and foster strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Google G‑Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with significant judgment.
• Sensitivity and understanding of specific barriers that might lead to lack of access and engagement.

Benefits

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Fitness reimbursement
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

Pay

Starting pay range of $89,054‑$106,329 per year (Grade C45, non‑union), based on relevant years of experience.