Racial Equity Performance Specialist (COM 4)

Full Job Description

Racial Equity Performance Specialist (COM 4)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

The Data & Performance Unit (DPU) within the Housing Division (HD) is responsible for large scale system-wide initiatives related to homelessness and housing data systems, analysis, research, evaluation, and technical assistance. DPU teams work to support communities by:

• Strengthening data collection methods

• Safeguarding the privacy and security of protected data

• Improving data quality and data literacy

• Producing actionable and accessible analysis

• Evaluating performance and disparities

• Providing technical assistance to strengthen responses to homelessness and housing crisis

The Racial Equity Performance Specialist develops and maintains nationally unprecedented racial equity performance measures and management systems as required by state legislation using expert level analyses to measure the equitable access and outcomes of complex homeless crisis response systems through performance monitoring.

This position implements changes to the performance management systems to promote racial equity, balancing conflicting interests to deliver performance system changes with significant impact on the number of people experiencing a housing crisis.

This position develops equity performance requirements and associated language that are integrated into applicable HD programs.

The work of this position has a broad scope and significant impact on outside agencies/institutions, directly governing how performance is measured in contracts.

Contracted performance measurements and benchmarks developed and managed by this position determine which contracts will continue to be funded in applicable HD programs.

This position is the State’s highest level technical expert and specialist regarding racial equity in homeless systems.

Requirements

Develop and maintain racial equity performance measurement system
Tasks include:
• Develop nationally unprecedented racial equity performance measurement theories and metrics and translate those metrics into technical specifications and collection procedures in compliance with state legislation.
• Draft, refine and maintain racial equity performance requirements for applicable HD programs in compliance with state legislation.
• Examine and test fidelity of necessary data sources, calculations and methodologies needed to measure racial equity in homeless systems. Determine how racial equity in homeless systems is assessed, measured and communicated.
• Develop racial equity performance requirement language for all applicable HD program guidelines.
• Provide expert direction, advice and consultation in racial equity performance management to HD staff, external partners and grantees.
• Champion equity-based performance measures so that the agency executive management, the Legislature, county executives, grant managers, grantees and impacted parties understand how required performance improvement will reduce racial disparities in homeless systems and advance equity for better policy and funding decisions that impact marginalized communities.
• Author racial equity performance improvement elements of State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan required under RCW 43.185C.040.
• Represent the State in national policy development process for racial equity in homeless systems, crafting responses to proposed rule changes in consultation with Commerce executive leadership and participating in federal rule setting meetings.

Oversee corrective action plan and monitor racial equity data compliance performance requirements.
Tasks include:
• Develop and implement an annual monitoring plan to assess compliance with racial equity performance requirements.
• Develop and implement the ongoing annual process for measuring compliance. Review and update the process as needed or legislatively required. Work with DPU staff to develop reports and visualizations of complex performance metrics and benchmarks that communicate progress toward achieving requirements to agency executive management, the Legislature, local elected officials, contract managers, and the public.
• Communicate monitoring results, develop and lead corrective action plans with grantees who are out of compliance with requirements. This includes leading and participating in long term and comprehensive performance improvement processes with county government representatives and community-based organizations.
• Per state legislation, track monitoring results, required actions and compliance over time. Determine which grantees will be recommended for reduced funding based on outcomes from performance monitoring.

Deliver technical assistance on racial equity performance to low performing and noncompliant grantees
Tasks include:
• Provide comprehensive technical assistance on a variety of data related and programmatic topics using various methods such as live and recorded trainings or workshops, and written self-help materials. To ensure grantees are performing at their highest abilities and understand how their best work contributes to reductions in homelessness and the promotion of racial equity in homeless systems.
• Provide educational opportunities and self-help materials to homeless systems and programs on common issues that contribute to low performance and non-compliance.
• Develop technical assistance plans with applicable HD program managers to support low performing and non-compliant grantees return to compliance.
• Oversee implementation of technical assistance plans and provide coaching and assistance to ensure successful implementation of plan by applicable HD program managers and local executive leadership.

Participate in state and national racial equity initiatives
Tasks include:
• Participate directly in HD and Commerce initiatives relating to promoting racial equity which can include assisting with development of policies, procedures and other work that improves the ability of Commerce to promote racial equity.
• Participate in national racial equity initiatives.
• Research and stay informed about national trends and emerging best practices related to addressing racial disparities in homeless systems.
• Present at national conferences on the success of Washington’s racial equity performance management system, with the goal of influencing the national policy direction to align with Washington State priorities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Eight (8) years of combined experiences and/or education as described below:

Experience must include the following:

• Advancing racial equity, including developing, implementing, or evaluating equity-focused policies, programs, or initiatives.

• Facilitating discussions, training, or strategic planning related to racial equity.

• Analyzing disparities, identifying root causes, and recommending equity-centered solutions.

Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or behavioral health system may substitute for two years of professional experience.?

• What is lived experience?

Lived experiences is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life and professional experiences of an individual.

Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience, academic or a combination of experiences.

The above-listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.

Education involves affordable housing, human or social services, data science, data analytics or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience, including lived experience, will be evaluated on a year for year basis. Some examples of this are, but not limited to:

o Example 1: 8 years of professional experience

o Example 2: 5 years of combined lived and professional experience plus 3 years formal education (college level coursework)

o Example 3: Associate's degree plus 6 years of professional experience

Required Position Competencies:

• Collaborative and inclusive teamwork: Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams, valuing differing perspectives and contributing positively to group dynamics.

• Cultural humility and equity awareness: Applies an understanding of power, privilege, and inequity when engaging with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Practices and promotes principles of anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Equity-centered analysis and planning: Applies an equity lens applies to evaluation, planning, and decision-making processes.

• Relationship Building & Conflict Navigation: Effectively builds relationships across lines of difference and works constructively with individuals who hold opposing viewpoints.

• Systems Change & Negotiation: Demonstrates skill in negotiating, influencing, and championing efforts that advance organizational or system-level change.

• Project Management: Plans, organizes, and manages projects to achieve objectives, including coordinating tasks, timelines, and stakeholders.

• Technical Communication: Translates technical or complex information into accessible, user-friendly language for non-technical audiences.

• Digital & Technology Proficiency: Uses digital tools, databases, and software applications effectively, including advanced proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and web-based applications.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of federal initiatives and existing local strategies to reduce homelessness.

• Experience analyzing Homeless Management Information System data, or other large data sets.

• Knowledge of HMIS specifications and capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience in advanced level homeless program evaluation. Experience with statistics, output, and outcome measurement.

To be considered for this position, the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• Complete supplemental questions
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.