Position Summary:

This role leads WCEL’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Outreach efforts. It will support the agency to fulfill our goal to center equity in all our programs and in our agency. The role will also help increase the agency's relationships with and understanding of diverse communities in Whatcom County, support enrollment of diverse families, and provide related project management support.  Supporting enrollment includes understanding barriers to participation and intentionally creating and supporting systems that reduce barriers to participation in our programs. This position will also provide Cultural Navigation for culturally and racially diverse families within our programs.  

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Cultural Navigation supports families that are overburdened and under-resourced to understand and navigate the services available at WCEL and to equitably access all services. The Cultural Navigator is a neutral party that serves as a resource/ point of contact in the event a family feels they have not been treated in an equitable, respectful, and culturally sensitive manner. 

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Pay Range: $28-$40/hour

 

Schedule: Full-time

 

Location: works primarily from the Cordata location (400 Sequoia Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225)

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Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Outreach

• Collaborates and builds relationships with local community groups and develops resources to promote recruitment of diverse families, particularly those that are underrepresented and families that utilize or prefer languages other than English; 

• Develops, coordinates, and delivers in-person and virtual educational and outreach programming including information sessions, tours, and other related efforts and events that support increasing the enrollment and satisfaction of diverse children and families;  

• Participates in a variety of committees and other related groups to communicate information regarding WCEL services, programs, policies, areas of opportunity, and/or other pertinent information as appropriate; and 

• Manages outreach budget and monitors expenditures. 

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2. DEI

• Creates a welcoming environment to cultivate trust and sense of belonging; 

• Designs, develops, and evaluates strategies around diversity, equity, and inclusion for families and staff by working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Culture & People Engagement, the WCEL Board DEI Committee, and external consultants; 

• Collaborates with the WCEL leadership and Board of Directors to ensure agency policies, procedures, and practices are equitable for families with the goal of closing equity gaps;  

• Builds new resources, tools, and trainings that allow WCEL to advance disability justice and anti-racist policies and processes, and enhance the inclusiveness of WCEL programs; 

• Supports the design and delivery of professional development/training to promote cultural understanding and competency in support of disability justice, anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion; 

• Works to support WCEL in board recruitment of diverse individuals; 

• Provides cultural navigation services for the families in WCEL’s Early Learning and Early Support Programs;  

• Supports WCEL leadership team to negotiate challenging dynamics, and to inform and advance WCEL policies, practices and programs through a DEI lens; 

• Maintains current knowledge of DEI best practice as it intersects with human resources and organizational culture and remains proactive in advocating on behalf of the employee experience; 

• Supports internal and external communications, including plans, presentation, and training materials; and 

• Works on special projects as assigned. 

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Qualifications

Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated leadership experience; 

• Experience working with and on behalf of overburdened and under-resourced groups; 

• Ability to design, deliver, facilitate, and assess culturally responsive, equitable, and engaging outreach programming and services; 

• Ability to provide training to adult learners on disability justice and DEI topics; 

• High-awareness of disability justice, anti-racism work, and current DEI-related laws, rules, regulations, research, best practices, and trends; 

• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrating cultural humility to effectively and sensitively work with families, staff, and community partners; 

• Cross-cultural competence including avoidance of generalizations and stereotyping; 

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, including active listening skills, strong group presentation skills, providing confidentiality to children and families, and effective representation of the agency; 

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and collaboration as a part of a small and innovative team; 

• High level of confidence and adaptability with technology; 

• Ability to travel occasionally and work some evening and weekend events; 

• Ability to promote and enhance data-informed practice under a continuous improvement model; using an equity framework for assessment, evaluation, and recommendations; 

• This position requires frequent use of computers and exposure; frequent oral, written and auditory communication with others; working in an open office environment with frequent interruptions and distractions; and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds 

• Works well under pressure to manage stressful situations 

• Flexible to meet scheduling needs and handle often unpredictable changes 

• Sound judgment and confidence 

• Detail-oriented and accurate 

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Education and knowledge:​

• Fluent in English  

• Fluency in a second language preferred 

• Familiarity and ability to work with diversity of cultural/socioeconomic backgrounds 

• Good interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills  

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of full-time professional experience in equity, diversity and inclusion program planning or management, organizational development & training, or human resources 

• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for education qualification 

• Knowledge of outreach tools and strategic assessments 

• Knowledge of methods and techniques of diversity data collection, research, and report preparation 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships 

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing 

• Exceptional customer service and organizational skills 

• Strong group facilitation skills 

• Knowledge of the disability sector is preferred 

• Deep community connections are preferred 

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Working conditions:

• This position requires entry to families/caregiver's homes and travel. The subject matter related to these sessions requires maturity, composure, & sound judgment. These same principles apply to virtual visits

• Accurate, complete interpretation as per Health Care Interpreter Standards of Practice

• Consecutive interpretation is used during home visits. Very rarely, simultaneous interpreter might be requested. Refrain from side conversations with the child, caregivers, or staff

• As per Health Care Interpreter Code of Ethics, remember the following:

• Do not share personal opinions related to the session or the child

• Uphold the principle of transparency by informing the provider and/or family/caregiver whenever clarification or repetition is necessary and obtained from either party

• Maintain confidentiality: The information discussed during an interpreting session (pre-session, visit, debrief) cannot be discussed outside the appointment

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Other requirements: 

• Vehicle in working condition, driver’s license, and auto liability insurance 

• Consent to background check and fingerprinting 

• Vaccination is required (COVID) 

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Benefits: 

• 401(k) 

• 401(k) matching 

• Dental insurance 

• Employee assistance program 

• Flexible schedule 

• Health insurance 

• Health savings account 

• Paid time off 

• Vision insurance 

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Please send resume and cover letter to careers@wcel.net

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Please send your resume and cover letter describing your interest in our mission and how your work or life experience had prepared you for this role.