Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

Requisition ID: 38641 

Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function
The Diversity and Inclusion Consultant advances justice, equity, decolonization, and inclusion throughout Engineering policies, strategies, programs and services. In coordination with the Equity Office, the Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Consultant leads and delivers Engineering specific programming.

The Diversity and Inclusion Consultant develops and drives the vision and action plan for an inclusive Engineering department in partnership with senior leaders and staff in office and operational settings. The role provides subject matter expertise, process expertise, coordination, advice and guidance to Engineering staff with the objective of advancing justice, equity, decolonization, and inclusion throughout Engineering policies, strategies, programs and services. The Diversity and Inclusion Consultant also supervises teams of engineering staff to create and implement plans and projects to support the departmental Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, in alignment with the City's Equity Framework and other guiding documents. The position also represents Engineering Services’ Diversity and Inclusion efforts on various internal committees and initiatives, including presenting and communicating with City unions.

Reports to the Branch Manager, Engineering Strategy and Standards. The position works with an internal Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, seeks advice from a departmental Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and directs and organizes the work of participating volunteer staff to achieve the goals of the departmental Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. The role maintains relationships with different areas of Engineering Services, including operations groups, and also brings the experience and lessons from the Engineering program to internal Citywide groups whose work is focused on workplace equity, decolonization and inclusion. The role will also work in unison of other equity, diversity and inclusion related work happening across the City such as the Accessibility Strategy, UNDRIP strategy, Women’s Equity Strategy and Trans, Gender Diverse and Two-Spirit Inclusion Strategy. 

Specific Duties/Responsibilities
Supports Engineering's Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (60%)

• Coordinates and supervises a team of volunteer staff and consultants in the development and delivery of Engineering's Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, based on the Global Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Benchmarks and works under the structure of the City’s Equity Framework.
• Leads and champions project scope and approach, timelines, and ensures that deliverables are achieved.
• Oversees co-ordination and implementation of projects, collaborating as needed with the Equity Office.
• Manages procurement and ongoing work of consultancies, along with project budgets.
• Refreshes the Diversity & Inclusion strategy periodically (typically every two years) to reflect ongoing progress.
• Maintains collaborative working relationships within Engineering Services and the City, particularly the Equity Office, unions, and other stakeholders.
• Reports back to Engineering leadership on strategy status and deliverables.

Provides Divisional Support (25%)

• Provides subject matter expertise, guidance and support to Engineering leaders (directors, branch managers, supervisors) and teams who wish to create inclusive and equitable workplaces.
• Supports identification of opportunities for, and advances changes to policy, standard processes, key messaging, trainings, and other activities that would enable systemic shifts towards equity and decolonization.
• Supports leadership teams of specific business units and departments to develop targeted action and implementation plans.
• Liaises with the Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and provides the committee with administrative resources and support.
• Provide guidance to Engineering staff on equitable planning, design and delivery of infrastructure and services.

Champions Excellence in D&I (10%)

• Delivers required programs and educational initiatives, forums, presentations, and workshops.
• Carries out research and analysis of best practices and trends in equity, decolonization and inclusion.
• Regularly and actively engages in critical reflection and dialogue (both individually and as a team member) about inclusion, diversity, equity and the implementation of social justice principles in the workplace.
• Communicates with tact and discretion to all levels of staff and leadership.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Education and Experience:
Post-secondary degree in relevant discipline (engineering, project management, change management, social sciences, human resources or related subject) supplemented by course work around justice, equity, decolonization and inclusion issues, plus 5 years of experience developing and leading relevant initiatives in a complex organization OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge and ability to participate comfortably in discussions on justice, equity, decolonization and inclusion using current discourse (e.g. human rights, anti-oppression, social justice, inter-culturalism, feminism, critical race theory, disability studies, queer studies, reconciliation, decolonization) while remaining open to new and challenging ideas.
• Working knowledge of municipal government or other large unionized environment.
• Knowledge of change management and ability to develop, deliver, manage and evaluate strategic inclusion initiatives with advice as needed from external inclusion consultants and from City experts supporting workplace equity, decolonization, and inclusion
• Understanding of municipal engineering and ability to participate in discussions on equitable infrastructure planning, design and delivery.
• Skills in cross-cultural competency, including strong emotional intelligence and the ability to engage, motivate, and build trust and confidence with diverse audiences within a work environment.
• A strong sense of self and identity; keen awareness of positionality, power and privilege; and ability to self-reflect to bring own actions in alignment with commitments.
• Considerable experience with group facilitation and/or training around equity issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners/clients.
• Ability to resolve conflicts arising within a project team or in interactions with clients in the most advantageous manner to all parties involved.
• Ability to lead difficult discussions and drive development of effective policies and plans with senior Engineering leaders and other high-ranking staff members at the City. 
• Ability to lead complex projects, including the ability to prepare and manage work programs, and supervising other professional and technical staff and external consultants.
• Ability to prepare status reports and summaries, speak effectively at meetings and presentations to a variety of groups including senior City leaders.
• Ability to function effectively, within a team environment as well as independently and collaboratively within a rapidly changing, public sector environment.
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: June 2023 

Position End Date: January 2024 

Salary Information: Pay Band 80: $92,864 to $116, 070 per year

Application Close: June 14, 2023

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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