Director, Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Salary : $120,351.00 - $159,500.00 Annually

Location : MD 20850, MD

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 202400156

Department : Department of the City Manager

Division : Administration

Opening Date : 11 / 04 / 2024

Job Summary

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE -

This position is open until filled. The first review of resumes will begin on December 13, 2024 .

Director, Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

About the City of Rockville The operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and Council serve as the legislative body for the City of Rockville. All policy ordinances must have the Mayor and Council's approval before becoming law. This critical decision-making position focuses community attention on the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council's public meetings provide a forum in which policy proposals are deliberated, debated, and ultimately decided. The Mayor and Council appoint and direct the work of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk / Director of Council Operations.

The City of Rockville is regarded as one of America's leading small cities for work, for play and for life. It is the vibrant, highly educated, business-friendly home to some of the most prominent biomedical and technology companies and is adjacent to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Rockville is a city that remembers and reveres its roots, its commitment to citizen-centric public service, to the planet and to the connectivity of its neighborhoods and residents. Rockville is a place one can truly and proudly call "my hometown." It is a place that looks and feels like home, where people and government work to maintain the intimacy and warmth that "hometown" connotes. A place where, despite our differences, neighbors know and care about each other and the community they share.

About the Community

Rockville, population 67,000, is Maryland's fourth largest city, comprising 13.5 square miles. It is located 15 miles northwest of the nation's capital along the I-270 corridor. Rockville has been rated among the best places to live in America. The city serves as the County seat of Montgomery County and is regarded as one of America's leading small cities for work, for play and for life. It is the vibrant, diverse, business-friendly home to some of the most prominent biomedical and technology companies and is adjacent to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Gorgeous parks, within a 10-minute walk of every residence, and active recreation centers contribute to the quality of life prized by Rockville residents promoting participation by people of all ages in diverse, interesting, and high quality recreational and leisure opportunities. Rockville takes great pride in its more than 1,000 acres of parkland within 67 parks. The city owns or maintains an award-winning senior center, swim and fitness center, mansion, performing arts theatre, nature center, three community centers and provides the community with thousands of recreation programs and services as well as special and community events for all ages and abilities. Rockville residents are actively engaged in the community and have high expectations of recreation and parks services.

Rockville is a city that remembers and reveres its roots, its commitment to citizen-centric public service, to the planet and to the connectivity of its neighborhoods and residents. Rockville is a place one can truly and proudly call "my hometown." It is a place that looks and feels like home, where people and government work to maintain the intimacy and warmth that "hometown" connotes. A place where, despite our differences, neighbors know and care about each other and the community they share.

About the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion was formally established in October 2024. The Office will look within all aspects of City government to closely examine policies, practices, budget allocations, and programs that may perpetuate institutional racism and systemic inequities for various historically excluded groups.

The Mayor and Council recognizes that racial inequity is institutionalized with systematic racism in the policies and practices in governmental institutions. Systemic and institutionalized racism is so commonly accepted in our laws, rules, policies, behaviors, attitudes, and practices that it establishes and imposes statistically significant perpetual hardship, and even shortened life spans for persons of color. The Mayor and Council also recognize that issues of racial and ethnic equity must be addressed proactively and deliberately in the course of decision-making to increase the success for all groups. As such, on July 12, 2021, the Mayor and Council adopted thus endorsing and committing to the establishment of government policies and practices that promote racial and ethnic equity and social justice.

The Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be charged with leading the efforts of operationalizing Resolution 10-21. About the Position The City of Rockville, Maryland is recruiting the Director of our newly established Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.The director will work in partnership with City leaders, City Manager, Deputy City Manager, department heads, and other City staff to engage the community stakeholders to establish equity, diversity and inclusion as shared values across the community and the City of Rockville as an organization. The Director will collaborate with city departments, City boards and commissions such as the Human Rights Commission, and Community Policing Advisory Board, other cultural and social advisory taskforces, and the community to advance policies and actions that remove barriers within City government programs and operations.

The Director develops, manages, and monitors the City's diversity, equity and inclusion policies and actions, and will serve as a change agent who provides leadership and vision to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the City of Rockville and the community. This position reports to the Deputy City Manager.

Essential Job Functions

Strategic Leadership : Develop and implement comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Community strategies that align with the City's strategy and goals.

Program Development : Design and deliver innovative programs and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and build community across the organization.

Metrics and Reporting : Continually reevaluate baseline and target diversity and representation metrics and related metrics for measuring the effectiveness of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Community initiatives. Oversee reporting to senior leaders, regulators, and other internal and external stakeholders as required.

Community Engagement : Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, and partners to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Community initiatives.

Promote Cultural Competency : Foster a culture of continuous learning about human differences. Provide training and professional development opportunities to staff on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Policy Development : Review and update organizational policies to ensure they reflect best practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Collaboration : Work closely with community leaders and colleagues across the organization to integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles into all aspects of City operations and programs.

Advocacy : Serve as an advocate for inclusive and equitable initiatives within the organization and across the community.

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Organizational Development, Leadership, Diversity, or other closely related program; or five (5) to seven (07) years of relevant, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience :

• working directly within a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and / or Belonging in a senior management role;
• with strategic planning, policy development, process improvement, performance management, and / or program evaluation; and
• working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications :

Master's degree in Public Administration, Organizational Development, Leadership, Diversity, or other closely related programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $ 120,351 - $159,500 The City offers a competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, and vision insurance, group life and long-term disability insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, paid vacation and sick leave, and participation in the Rockville Employees Retirement System.

Application and Selection Process

Interested individuals should submit a resume, cover letter and three (03) professional references.

This position is open until filled. The first review of resumes will begin on December 13, 2024 .

Questions

Please contact Susan Seling, Director of Human Resources, at or 240.314.8472 with any questions.

The City of Rockville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce (EOE).

Summary of Employee Benefits

The following is a brief summary of the major benefits provided to new full-time, regular employees. Part-time, regular employees working more than 20 hours per week may be entitled to these benefits on a pro-rated basis in accordance with Rockville City Laws and personnel policies and procedures. Benefits are not available to temporary employees. Details about benefits and costs for full-time and part-time employees are available by calling the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.

Group Insurance Plans

Health Insurance

Participation is available in one of a number of types of health plans. The City contributes toward each plan. Participation is optional. Detailed information about each plan and the associated cost is available through the Human Resources Department.

Employees may participate in one of the following plans : Aetna HMO $30 / $40, Aetna HMO $30 / 40 Deductible, Aetna HMO Health Reimbursement Account, Aetna Point of Service, Kaiser Permanente HMO, or Kaiser Permanente Point of Service. Start date of coverage is the date of hire or the first of the following month.

Rockville Group : 118583-011

Member Services : (800) 445-5299 or (888) 792-3862 (Rx Services)

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

Rockville Group : 4205-4 (HMO)

Member Services : (301) 468-6000 or (800) 777-7902

TTY : (301) 816-6344

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

Employees may join the City's dental program and receive dental benefits in addition to any such benefits provided by the group health plans. The City contributes a portion of the cost of each employee's dental coverage. If dental coverage is waived, the City's contribution is reallocated toward the employee's health plan cost. Start date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire. Guardian Dental

Customer Service : (800) 541-7846

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

City of Rockville is offers a vision plan with VSP. Members will have a $130 allowance (in-network) for lenses / frames or contacts. Go to www.vsp.com to locate a participating provider. VSP members get a 20% savings on additional glasses and sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from any VSP provider within 12 months of your last WellVision Exam. Ask your provider about Laser Vision Correction discounts as well.

Group Life Insurance

The City provides life insurance equal to one and one-half times an employee's base salary. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit. Employees have the option of purchasing additional supplemental life insurance coverage for self, spouse and dependent child(ren). New employees joining within their first 30 days will not be required to provide evidence of insurability.

Leave

Annual Leave

Annual leave ranges from 16 to 23 days per year depending upon the length of service with the City. Leave may be used as it is accrued with the permission of the employee's supervisor. Annual leave is paid at termination after completing six (6) months of service. An employee normally accrues annual leave in the following manner :

Months of Service

Monthly Vacation Accrual in Hours

37.5 hrs / wk) / (40 hrs / wk)

1-24 Months

10.00 / 10.40

25-60 Months

11.53 / 12.40

61-96 Months

13.08 / 14.00

97 Months

14.23 / 15.20

Holidays

Administrative and Police employees generally receive the following eleven (11) holidays per year.

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Presidents' Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Friday

Christmas Day

The City also observes all days of general and congressional elections throughout the State of Maryland. This holiday falls on even numbered years. Union employees and certain other employees may receive different holidays in accordance with the terms of a contractual agreement.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned monthly at the rate of 1.25 days per completed month of service. There is no waiting period for using earned sick leave nor is there a limit to the amount of earned sick leave that may be used in connection with any legitimate illness.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Dependent Care FSA

The Dependent Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 on a pre-tax basis for eligible dependent care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these eligible expenses and agree to have this amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. When expenses are incurred, employees submit a receipt and are reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.

Medical FSA

The Medical Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $3,200 on a pre-tax basis for eligible health care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these expenses and agree to have that amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. An employee may use a FSA debit card to pay for eligible expenses, or may submit receipts when expenses are incurred in order to be reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.

Pre-tax Deductions for Health Insurance

Through Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, pre-tax payroll deductions may be made for the City's health and dental insurance premiums. Pre-tax deductions allow employees to avoid paying Federal, State, and F.I.C.A. taxes on the amounts of these payroll deducted premiums.

Wex Benefits

Customer Service : (866) 451-3399

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

Retirement Plan

The City's retirement plans consist of a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution portion. Administrative and Union employees may contribute between one (1) and five (5) percent of their base salary, on a pre-tax basis, to the defined contribution portion. The deferral election is made at the time of employment and may not be changed. Therefore, employees are advised to give considerable thought to their decision of what percent to contribute. The City will make a matching contribution of 50 cents for each dollar contributed. A minimum of one (1) percent participation is mandatory.

Employees have different investment fund options in which to direct contributions. The investment direction may be changed biweekly. Vesting in the Defined Contribution portion occurs at the beginning of the 3rd year. Normal retirement is age 60 or 65 depending on date of hire.

The Defined Benefit portion of the retirement plan is based on a percentage of average annual salary multiplied by length of credited service. Administrative employees are required to make a mandatory one (1) percent contribution to the Defined Benefit portion of the plan. Vesting occurs after ten (10) years.

Police Officers contribute 8.5 percent of their earnings on a pre-tax basis to a defined benefit pension plan. Normal retirement for police officers is permitted at the earlier of age 60 or after 25 years of service, regardless of age. Benefits at retirement are based on a percentage of final average earnings multiplied by length of credited service. Retirement Plan Administrator :

Lincoln Financial

Retirement Plan

Member Services : (800) 234-3500

Website :

Deferred Compensation (457) Plan

The deferred compensation plan is designed specifically for City employees, and makes it possible to defer income and the payment of income taxes on the deferred investment. The plan is not meant for short-term savings or investment purposes as monies deferred are generally not available until termination or retirement.

Employees may defer the lesser of 25 percent of base salary or a minimum of $10.00 per pay up to the current IRS limit on a pre-tax basis.

Roth 457

The Roth 457 is a supplemental retirement plan which is funded through employee contributions only. Employees are eligible to enroll from the date of hire. Contributions are taxed but earnings grow tax free.

Lincoln Financial

Member Services : (877) 234-3500

Social Security

Regular employees receive employer contributions to Social Security (also known as FICA). Social Security benefits are available in accordance with Federal law.

For more information about benefits, contact the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.

Credit Union

Employees may participate in the Sky Point Federal Credit Union, conveniently located at Courthouse Square in Rockville. This credit union also participates in Family Service Center with shared branches available throughout the metropolitan area. Services include savings and checking accounts, loans, payroll deduction, and direct deposit.

Sky Point Federal Credit Union

Member Services : (301) 279-1964

Legal Resources

Through Legal Resources, participating employees and their eligible family members can get free advice, consultation, and courtroom representation for common legal services.

Member Services : 1-800-728-5768

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

The City provides free, confidential counseling, assessment, and referral services to help employees deal with personal problems. Trained, certified employee assistance counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available for family members who are eligible health insurance plan dependents.

BHS EAP

24 hour Assistance Line (800) 327-2251

Web Site : Kaiser Permanente

The City's Income Protection Plan provides long-term disability benefits for both on and off the job injuries or illnesses. Coverage for off the job injuries or illnesses is provided after one year of employment with the City. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.

College Savings Plans

College America is a 529 college savings plan that can help you build a nest egg for college. These plans, named after a section of the tax code, were created by Congress to offer significant tax advantages to those who invest for higher education. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.

Salary : $120,351 - $159,500