Community Cultural Liaison
- Summary
The Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) is seeking one term-limited temporary/special duty Community Cultural Liaison. This position will serve as part of the office’s Community Engagement & Co-Creation team, and Racism is a Public Health Crisis (RAPHC) on key investments supporting implementation of intentional “co-creation community engagement” with Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and King County’s pro-equity values. This position will also partner with the current team to co-facilitate and coordinate an internal community of practice for county wide community engagement and co-creation.
The focus of the co-creation actions will concentrate on building partnership between the county and RAPHC and King County Equity Cabinet partners and internal employees on the implementation of King County’s pro-equity and anti-racist strategies.
The position will work with RAPHC partners and lead staff to develop the approach that allows for equitable co-creation with BIPOC communities and King County on the next phase of the RAPHC work. Key outcomes for this work include improving trust, communication, and coordination that bridge and break down existing silos contributing to a lack of equitable engagement with BIPOC communities. Additionally, the position will consistently coordinate with other staff in OESJ and across county government on other key community engagement initiatives such as the county’s Customer Experience, Equity Cabinet, and Participatory Budgeting.
The period of funding for the position is scheduled through January 2023 with a potential for an extension if additional funding becomes available. The Office of Equity and Social Justice is highly collaborative and dedicated to leading the county to employ anti-racist, pro-equity strategies. Candidates for the position will, at times, need to work independently.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong integrity, a commitment to quality peer relations, and dedication to the health and well-being of all King County residents with a focus on BIPOC and underrepresented voices in their work. Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to deliver dynamic culturally responsive community engagement practices and meet deadlines. They must be reliable and able to create and sustain effective two-way connections that foster effective partnerships between BIPOC and historically marginalized communities and government.- Job Duties
Participate on Racism is a Public Health Crisis team that seeks to sustain and build relationship and trust building efforts to co-develop shared language and understanding of accountability, co-creation, responsibility, and partnership; this is foundational to helping us transform to become a model of anti-racist, pro-equity governance.
Serve as a key member of the King County Equity Cabinet support team. The Cabinet support team are responsible for providing leadership to the Cabinet and assisting the members with annual goals and objectives that align with the county priorities. The Cabinet Support team serve as the point of contact for the Cabinet and support members by preparing materials, responding to requests for information, and meeting facilitation.
Develop “co-creation community engagement” and communication strategies to engage BIPOC communities and community organizations in meaningful partnerships that result in equitable outcomes for BIPOC communities. This includes pro-active and consistent communication, education, and partnership in engaging and creating anti-racist and pro-equity practices.
Serve as a key community resource. Working in partnership with OESJ’s senior communications manager, develop media engagement strategies with regional community and ethnic media; work with existing staff to facilitate, coordinate, and align transparent and accessible communication channels. This includes developing clear and plain communication approaches that invite the entire community to engage and partner with King County to foster and support anti-racist and pro-equity strategies.
Act as a liaison with King County departments and community-based organizations. Work directly with community-based organizations with the goal of improving communications support for community members and improving collaboration with King County leaders and decision-making processes.
Co-lead the implementation of a King County Community Engagers Team that seeks to bring together community engagement staff across King County government to better coordinate community engagement and break down departmental silos and create a foundational understanding of and consistent use of anti-racist, pro-equity.
Serve as a contributor on the update of the County’s 2016-22 Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan. The position will serve as a resource and work with the OESJ team on developing and executing the community engagement process ensuring the voices of BIPOC, people living with a disability, refugee and immigrant, limited English proficient and LGBTQIA+ communities are involved in the co-creation of the plan.- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- An understanding of and passion for public health, criminal justice reform, and our institutional mission to employ anti-racist and pro-equity practices.
- Lived experience working in racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities.
- Background in community outreach, communications, public involvement, community mobilization, community development inter-cultural communication, public policy, marketing, public health, public administration, or a related field or comparable experience.
- Skills using culturally responsive communication and community involvement techniques including storytelling, peace circles, cultural celebrations, and culturally rooted communication processes.
- Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills in service to a variety of audiences including policy makers, communities of color, and limited English proficient communities.
- Skilled in producing written communication materials such as newsletters or blogs fact sheets and/or educational materials utilizing Microsoft Office Suite products, WordPress and/or other blogging platforms; experience in SharePoint and Teams. [WS1]
- Demonstrated ability to identify and assess the communication needs of priority audiences and determine the best communication methods and tools.
- Project management skills.
- Knowledge of communications principles, methods, and materials; and
- Demonstrated ability to act in a tactful and diplomatic manner with diverse groups.
- Bilingual in English and another language spoken by significant numbers of King County immigrants or refugees.
- Significant experience working with community-based organizations, including sharing information to and from the government sector and community.
- Experience synthesizing complex and multi-disciplinary information and presenting it in oral and written formats.
- An advanced degree in a related field or a combination of significant experience / equity and social justice, education in public communications or journalism, community development, human services, or related fields.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Who May Apply: This term limited temporary/special duty assignment is open to all qualified candidates. To accept this position as a special duty assignment, you must be a current Career Service King County employee, who has successfully passed probation.
Required documents to apply- Resume
- Cover letter describing relevant skills and experiences.
- Supplemental Questions (completed)
Work Schedule: This is a 100% FTE position (40 hours a week) through January 2023. These positions may be extended, contingent on funding. The person selected for this position will be required to work 5 days a week, on a negotiated schedule, with some nighttime and weekend work required on occasion. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.
Work Location: This position currently works 100% from home. The candidates are expected to live in the Western Washington area, can attend community events in King County, and are able to report to the downtown Seattle office and other King County locations.
Contact: For further inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Seth Watson at seth.watson@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-5330.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01I am applying for consideration as: *To apply as a special duty candidate, you must be a current King County career service employee who has passed probation
- Term-Limited Temporary
- Special Duty
02I have submitted a complete application file, including: 1. a complete online application 2. a resume or cv 3. a cover letter/letter of interest- Yes
- No
03Describe your experience in engaging and developing partnership between BIPOC communities and government. What BIPOC communities have you worked with, what was your role and what projects or approaches have you successfully completed?04Describe the principles and mindset you have adopted and employ when engaging BIPOC communities?05Describe what co-creation means and what would it look like to you in this role?06Describe your experience facilitating complex, political sensitive community engagement strategies and meetings?Required Question