OFFICER OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE

About the role

Under direction of the City Manager, the Officer of People and Culture develops, plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates citywide efforts to embed equity into policies, programs, services, investments, and organizational culture in a complex municipal environment; serves as a key advisor to the City Manager’s Office shaping policy, guiding decision‑making, and ensuring equity is incorporated into all of the City’s operations and service delivery; provides measurable impact translating values into sustained systems change, operational excellence, and improved outcomes for communities; and performs related work as assigned.

Class characteristics

This single‑position, at‑will, management class provides strategic leadership for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across all departments. The incumbent develops and implements equity policies, advises executive leadership, and builds partnerships with community organizations. The role guides departments to ensure equitable access to and delivery of the City’s programs and services, identifies and addresses systemic inequities, and shapes policy solutions that promote better outcomes for all.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate citywide social‑equity‑focused plans that identify core priorities for policy and process improvement and program development, with clear, measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and department directors on equity impacts of policies and programs.
• Lead organizational change initiatives that address institutional and structural inequities, influencing executive leadership, aligning departments, and operationalizing equity across all systems.
• Monitor compliance with applicable federal, state, and local civil‑rights laws, codes, regulations, and guidelines; analyze legislation and regulatory developments, assess impact on City programs, and advise leadership on strategic responses or policy changes.
• Coordinate cross‑departmental initiatives—including housing, public safety, transportation, health, workforce development, and environmental justice—through an equity lens.
• Conduct equity impact assessments to promote inclusion, prevent disparities, and inform decisions regarding proposed policies, budgets, programs, and legislation.
• Develop performance measures and dashboards to evaluate equity outcomes, identify trends, and drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build partnerships with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, school districts, and community leaders.
• Plan, organize, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
• Facilitate community engagement and build trust with historically underserved and marginalized communities, translating community voice into policy and practice.
• Design and deliver comprehensive equity, inclusion, and anti‑bias training modules for leadership and employees.
• Prepare executive‑level reports and presentations for the City Council, commissions, and the public.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge

• Theories, principles, and practices of effective management, public administration, and local government operations, including organizational transformation, budget and policy development, program management, and public‑records maintenance.
• Principles, frameworks, and practices of social equity and social‑justice program planning, implementation, management, and evaluation, including data analysis and performance measurement.
• Theories, principles, and practices of change management, including framework models and methodologies for institutional change.
• The regional and local landscape, including intersections of race, immigration, disability, gender, and related social, political, cultural, legal, technological, and environmental issues.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to social equity, including Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of effective supervision, training, and employee evaluation.
• Practices and techniques related to community outreach and engagement; effective interpersonal and communication principles, public speaking and presentation techniques, and conflict‑resolution methodologies.

Skills

• Leading organizational transformation and advising executive management on equity‑related policies and programs.
• Managing multiple high‑profile initiatives, analyzing complex policy issues, and using data to identify disparities and evaluate outcomes.
• Identifying, defining, and navigating complex equity, human‑rights, and politically sensitive issues.
• Mobilizing, engaging, and building consensus among internal and external stakeholders to achieve equity goals and understanding the impact of structural racism on policies and programs.
• Building trust with diverse communities, communicating effectively with audiences from diverse backgrounds, and facilitating difficult conversations.
• Interpreting and applying comprehensive federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and public policy.
• Representing the City effectively with governmental and regulatory agencies, outside consultants and counsel, businesses, and advocacy groups.
• Operating and using modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.

Education

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in sociology, human resources, public administration, ethnic studies, organizational development, political science, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree in the above areas is desirable.

Experience

Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience demonstrating proficiency in the development and management of community‑based public policy or administration, equity, civil rights, educational, or social‑justice programs, including three (3) years of management‑level experience, preferably within local government.

Physical / Mental Abilities

Mobility – frequent sitting for long periods while operating a keyboard; occasional walking, bending, squatting, climbing stairs or ladders, kneeling, crawling, and twisting.
Lifting – occasional lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds.
Vision – constant use of visual capabilities for reading fine print, PC screens, and color perception.
Dexterity – frequent typing; occasional holding, grasping, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motion.
Hearing/Talking – constant hearing and speaking of normal speech in person and on the telephone, often over background noise.

Special Requirements

Willingness to attend meetings outside of normal working hours; may require frequent weekend, night, or evening work; occasional driving may be required.

Working Conditions

Primarily performed in a quiet office environment; may also be performed outside of City Hall. This specification identifies essential functions and requirements; incumbents may be asked to perform additional related duties. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).