The Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Burlington, VT is dedicated to advancing equity and social justice by championing diversity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism. We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director to lead our efforts in enhancing diverse representation within city government and fostering a safe and inclusive community for all. The ideal candidate will possess a deep commitment to equity and social justice, as well as, the skills necessary to drive meaningful change. The Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

Why Join Us?
As the Director of the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of Burlington by promoting equity and inclusion at all levels of government and in our community engagement initiatives. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of community members and contribute to a thriving, diverse, and equitable city for all.

Union Affiliation: Non-Union
Pay Grade MF: $121,007.94 - $132,315.52 Annually
Remote Tier 1: Zero (0) days remote/week

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the REIB that aligns with the city’s goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and which aligns with the learnings of the Vision and Purpose work of REIB. Lead initiatives that promote anti-racism and foster a culture of belonging within city operations and collaborate with community stakeholders leading these efforts in the broader community.
• Oversee the Department’s Program Managers and Administrative & Financial Coordinator
• Direct the recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation of staff in the REIB by implementing inclusive hiring practices, coordinating effective onboarding programs, and establishing clear performance evaluation processes aligned with the office’s purpose.
• Foster an environment of continuous learning and growth for REIB staff by promoting open dialogue, providing professional development opportunities, implementing regular check-ins for feedback and goal alignment, celebrating achievements, and encouraging cross-departmental collaborations.
• Prepare and manage the office budget, which includes tracking expenditures to ensure alignment with the REIB’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Prepare and present reports, memorandums, etc. to city leadership and stakeholders on the progress and impact of the REIB’s initiatives, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Collaborate with the REIB City Council Committee to advance strategic initiatives, foster community engagement, and ensure the voices of underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized communities are actively incorporated into policy development and decision-making processes.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaborations to help ensure that equity and inclusion-based principles are integrated into all aspects of city governance and operations.
• Work with Human Resources to implement and enhance recruitment and retention strategies to ensure that city governance and workforce demographics reflect the diverse communities we serve.
• Advise and collaborate with city departments to integrate equity-based considerations into policy development processes. Ensure policies reflect the needs and perspectives of all community members.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, organizations, and community members. Facilitate open dialogues and engagement initiatives that empower underserved, underrecognized, and marginalized voices in local government decision-making.
• Lead public awareness campaigns that promote the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Advocate for policy changes that align with the REIB’s purpose at the local, state, and national levels.
• Drive efforts to increase diversity and representation in decision-making bodies. Create engagement pathways for historically marginalized communities to participate in city governance.
• Establish metrics and evaluation processes to assess the impact of equity-based City initiatives. Utilize data to inform decision-making and to identify areas for improvement.
• Help develop and support strategies to address community crises, including incidents of racial injustice, transphobia, faith-based bias, and other forms of discrimination.
• Stay apprised of best practices and emerging trends in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, both locally and nationally, and incorporate relevant insights in to REIB strategies.
• Develop mentorship and/or internship opportunities in city government to help empower emerging leaders from underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized communities
• Identify and secure funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to support equity-based initiatives and programs within the REIB.

Non-Essential Job Functions:

• Frequent interactions with the press, city council, boards, and commissions.
• Speaking engagements with external organizations about the city’s racial equity efforts.
• Regular speaking engagements with State organizations, and State elected officials.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public administration, community engagement, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in equity and inclusion work, community engagement, or public policy, with a demonstrated commitment to social justice.

• Strong understanding of racial equity, anti-racism principles, and the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

• Proven experience in leading diverse teams and managing projects effectively.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision-making and policy formulation.

• Strong understanding of human resource policies and procedures preferred. Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.
• Ability to prioritize work and problem solve to accomplish competing objectives while meeting deadlines is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft operating programs, specifically Word, Power Point and Excel is required.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.