Equity Programs Administrator

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Current Assignment:
The Link21 Program (formerly New Transbay Rail Crossing) is a highly complex, long-term, transformative project for the Northern California mega region. BART is partnering with Capitol Corridor today, and with other rail operators in the future on this effort. The Program is working to identify projects that will improve our ability to move around the 21-county Northern California Mega region by train.  A critical step towards a better train network is the construction of a second underground train crossing of the San Francisco Bay.

Link21 is committed to advancing equity in the Northern California Mega region through accessible and connected passenger rail service. When we say equity, we mean that all people, regardless of their background, have the same opportunity to live happy and healthy lives. In short, equity means a just and fair inclusion in society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We’ll know we’ve achieved equity when someone’s background or identity no longer predicts their quality of life.
Historically, infrastructure projects have negatively affected people of color, low-income, and systemically disadvantaged communities. Through a grassroots community co-creation process, the Link21 Team is intentionally working with marginalized communities, including Link21's priority populations, to ensure their voices are heard and past harms are not repeated.
The Equity Programs Administrator will work with the Link21 team to advance equity within the Link21 Program. They will coordinate activities within the District, specifically aligning the Office of Civil Rights Equity framework with advancing equity within the Link21 Program.   The position reports to Senior Manager of Workforce and Policy Compliance and provides support to the Director of the Link21.

This position requires knowledge of:

• Transportation, equity, and displacement issues impacting disadvantaged communities.
• Transportation Planning principles and best practices.
• Land Use Planning principles and best practices.
• Local government, community planning and public engagement strategies.
• Prior experience overseeing the management of community advisory bodies such as project advisory committees, equity advisory councils, etc.
• Demonstrated administrator experience successfully working with high performing teams that are diverse by race, gender, years of work experience, and professional background;
• Experience working with environmental justice organizations or directly with in low-income, historically marginalized, or communities of color.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills. Exceptional supervision and coaching skills, including managing staff. Outstanding administrative skills, including the ability to produce, track, and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines in a high-performing environment. Emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, humor, humility, and compassion.
• This is a capital position and is subject to time and funding limitations.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Designs, develops, manages, and implements innovative programs using DEI best practices in support of BART’s strategic plan; ensures policies, procedures, program design, and other BART functions are evaluated using an equity perspective as part of the decision-making process.
2. Researches, develops, reviews and improves key performance indicators (KPI) and other measures of equity, including the BART strategic plan goal of “equity.”
3. Collaborates with Communications Department and other senior leadership to identify creative approaches to outreach and engagement through a diversity and inclusion lens, and to ensure communication efforts are reaching diverse audiences.
4. Manages selected equity projects including but not limited to community engagement and co- creation activities, research, reporting and other related equity projects as assigned; coordinates with other departments and external stakeholders to ensure timely and effective completion of project work as well as to establish trust and to build and strengthen partnerships.
5. May be responsible for identifying, applying for and supporting grant writing activities and the development and management of contracts and related contractors.
6. Develops and maintains an organizational DEI strategic plan through a collaborative internal stakeholder process; manages, reviews and responds to internal and external equity inquiries; maintains the District’s working group of Equity Champions;
7. Leads discussions across the District on complex and sensitive topics surrounding race, color, religion, gender, gender identify, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status and any other protected classes with a goal of fostering positive behavior related to DEI.
8. Coordinates with various District departments and external stakeholders; oversees equity related outreach activities and public meetings.
9. Represents the District with external agencies including federal, state, regional and local groups; assists in all areas of department administration.
10. Develops policy and procedure for equity.
11. Prepares, reviews, researches and presents quantitative and qualitative analytical equity reports, including KPIs, to executive management, board of directors, other federal, state, regional and local agencies, and the public; conducts statistical analyses of equity data; leverages data to make and defend equity decisions of the District.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education
A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, Psychology or a related field.

Experience
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable experience in the planning and administration of
diversity, equity, and inclusion or similar programs.

Substitution
Additional qualifying experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.

Environmental Conditions
Office environment; exposure to computer screens. Field and system environment as applicable to project management requirements.

Physical Conditions
May require maintaining physical condition necessary for field site visits and presentations.

Knowledge of:

• Principles related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Issues affecting people of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Intersections of race, power, and privilege within the context of an organizational structure
• Practices related to community outreach and engagement.
• Practices of program design, implementation, management, evaluation, and budgeting
• Practices of leadership, coaching, empowerment, and teamwork
• Laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements affecting District policies and operations.
• Current social, political, and economic trends affecting government agencies.
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques as they relate to assigned areas.
• Leadership theories and practices
• Data gathering, analysis, and research.
• Budget development and fiscal management principles and practices
• Techniques for effectively representing the District with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications

Skill in:

• Planning, developing, organizing, implementing, overseeing, and evaluating DEI initiatives and programs.
• Remaining informed regarding current DEI issues affecting BART and the region
• Presenting trainings, facilitating meetings, and building collaborations
• Engaging the community and BART employees to identify priority needs and gaps, and co-create solutions.
• Making sense of complex, high-quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Using tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities and perspectives.
• Effectively navigating tensions that arise when engaging in difficult conversations and decision- making across various constituent groups.
• Reviewing, interpreting, and implementing policies, procedures, and programs
• Exercising discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpreting, applying, and ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, assessing consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operating office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing; presenting information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively