Job Description

CLOSING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

This is a re-announcement. The status of applicants who previously applied will remain the same. Applicants may submit an updated resume directly to the recruitment specialist.

About the Department

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), an accredited agency, is an all hazards life safety agency protecting about 500 square miles and over one million people who live and work in Maryland's most populous jurisdiction. MCFRS is a combination system (volunteer & career firefighters) in the suburban Washington, D.C. area. MCFRS Responds annually to over 120,000 emergency calls for service and is staffed by nearly 2,700 emergency responders.

What You Will Be Doing

MCFRS is seeking to fill the position of the Program Manager II (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Manager) in the Office of the Fire Chief.

This position will support the MCFRS vision of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, ensuring all employees feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities for growth and success. The DEI Program Manager will take the lead in molding an institutional culture that values and supports DEI. The DEI Program Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, procedures, and initiatives to advance organizational change, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, facilitate equitable outcomes for staff, and ensure that DEI considerations are incorporated into the department's decision-making processes. The DEI Program Manager will provide or facilitate education and/or training on DEI principles for employees at all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Review, analyze, and evaluate all Departmental policies, procedures, processes, and actions with a DEI lens and make recommendations to the Fire Chief.
• Manage the Department's Racial Equity and Social Justice Action Plan
• Assist FRS Senior Management in designing and analyzing strategies focused on recruiting, engaging, and retaining a diverse workforce.
• Develop, manage and/or deliver training to internal stakeholders based on DEI and the Racial Equity and Social Justice Action Plan.
• Chair, manage and direct the activities of the DEI Council.
• Serve as liaison to the Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ).

Who We Are Seeking

We are seeking candidates with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A deep understanding of DEI concepts, theories, and best practices. Familiarity with current research, trends, and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive DEI strategy aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. This includes setting measurable targets, creating an action plan, forming a DEI Council, and evaluating the effectiveness of initiatives.
• Leadership and Communication: Strong leadership skills to drive change and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Excellent communication skills to effectively convey the importance of DEI, engage employees, and facilitate difficult conversations around sensitive topics.
• Training and Facilitation: Experience in designing and delivering training programs and workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. Ability to facilitate discussions and create safe spaces for dialogue and learning.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to diversity and inclusion metrics. Ability to use data to identify trends, measure progress, and make informed decisions.
• P olicy Development and Analysis: Ability to develop and update policies, procedures, and guidelines that promote equity and fairness.
• Cultural Competence: Understanding and appreciation of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Ability to navigate and bridge cultural differences within an organization and create an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with various stakeholders, including senior managers, HR teams, employee resource groups, and external partners. Ability to build relationships and create alliances to advance DEI goals.
• Change Management: Ability to effectively manage and navigate organizational change related to DEI initiatives. Experience in developing change management plans, addressing resistance, and fostering a culture of inclusion.
• Evaluation and Measurement: Knowledge of evaluation methodologies and techniques to assess the impact and effectiveness of DEI initiatives. Ability to measure outcomes, collect feedback, and make data-driven adjustments to improve programs and strategies.
• Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying updated on emerging trends, research, and best practices in the field of DEI. Willingness to continuously improve personal knowledge and skills through professional development opportunities.
• Organization: Ability to plan, lead and facilitate meetings with a multidisciplinary group and senior management.

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation and a medical history review with drug/alcohol screening.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $75,368 (minimum) - $98,158 (maximum).

Additional Employment Information

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code . Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Thorough five (5) years professional experience in equity and inclusion and/or anti-racism work in municipal government, public safety, non-profit, NGO, or similar organization.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: This position requires possession of a valid drive. The possession and maintenance of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license is required from the applicant's state of residence.

The employee will be tasked to, among other things: Deliver in-person training to employees at various FRS worksites (37 fire stations, plus other locations) as well meeting with external stakeholders/NGOs across the COG region.

Preferred Criteria

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications . Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified" placed on the Eligible List and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Human Resources, Management, Public Policy, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Certifications in any of the following areas: SHRM certification; Diversity, equity, and inclusion certification/training; Racial Equity Institute Phase I training.

Minimum Salary 75368

Maximum Salary 98158

Currency USD