Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager

Department: People & Culture

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Location: Seattle, WA.

Pay Rate: $85,995 - $92,365 / annually 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.

People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.

OUR VISION

Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.

OUR MISSION

FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.

OUR VALUES

• Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand. We are honest, even when it is difficult.
• Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
• Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
• Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
• Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
• Growth: We are a learning organization. We invest in continuous improvement and growth.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This position will assist in implementing and advancing FareStart’s DEI strategy in coordination with the Senior Vice President of People & Culture. This position will assist to cultivate and propel FareStart’s DEI initiatives to create an environment where individuals who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or ability feel safe, included, and able to bring their full selves each day. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Provide logistical and project management support and guidance to the organization’s affinity groups, Equity Council, staff DEI spaces, work teams, and cultural celebrations.
• Create cross departmental work groups to support DEI initiatives and programs, e.g., cultural celebrations.
• Facilitate DEI meetings and spaces.
• Create, update, and maintain DEI-related internal communications. Ensure all staff have access to information and opportunity to have voice in the work by building relationships, diversifying communication channels and methods. Create training and skill building spaces to normalize how we connect to these different channels and methods of communication.
• Work collaboratively with the People & Culture team to Implement and drive the organization’s DEI strategies, initiatives, and programs into the organization’s workforce and business strategies.
• Maintain the organization’s DEI virtual spaces, e.g., SharePoint page).
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with department leadership on annual DEI budget and assist in tracking and reporting expenses related to the DEI budget.
• Provide feedback on policies and practices to support an inclusive workplace.
• Provide support to the board regarding their equity work.
• Collaborate with department leadership and Data team on the collection, analysis, and benchmarking of internal diversity data and other related information.
• Maintain a working knowledge of diversity-related current events, industry concerns, legislation, and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and three (3) or more years of experience leading DEI related programs and/or initiatives; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated Program or project management experience in leading and executing end to end projects.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating across multiple and diverse teams and facilitating DEI meetings and spaces.
• Experience driving and implementing DEI learning and development strategies.
• Demonstrated understanding of DEI best practices and expertise in employee communication and change management.
• Proficient and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner. Ability to be flexible and adaptable and change plans as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
• Ability to listen patiently and attentively, ability to express self clearly and effectively, and the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
• Ability to work independently as well as within diverse teams and environments, while treating everyone with respect.
• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with audiences of different backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to employ best practices associated with the position, while displaying an on-going commitment to learning and self-improvement. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position is exposed to a typical office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There may be a combination of remote work and onsite work dependent upon business needs.

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 job functions.

• This position may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATION: FareStart requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS

Why Should You Apply?

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at: www.farestart.org/about

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.