Status: Full-time/ Non-exempt 
Reports to: COO
Position Overview: One of Lines for Life’s 6 core values is equity, so we are excited to hire a Cultural Engagement, Equity and Inclusion Director who will develop initiatives to expand to reach an increasingly diverse set of people in Oregon and beyond, as well as to lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within Lines for Life.
About the Organization: Lines for Life is a regional non-profit that is dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide and promoting mental wellness. We offer help and hope to individuals and communities, and promote mental health for all. Our work addresses a spectrum of needs that include intervention, prevention, and advocacy. We educate, train, and advocate to prevent issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide from reaching crisis levels. But when a crisis arises or support is needed, we are available 24/7/365 to intervene with personalized help.
Responsibilities:
- Spend time in underserved communities identifying partners and projects where Lines for Life can make a difference.
- Evaluate Lines for Life’s current outreach and cultural engagement efforts to underserved and new communities in Oregon and beyond.
- Develop a strategic plan to increase the number of people we serve in underserved and new communities so that Lines for Life can better connect with diverse people in need.
- Research and analyze data related to areas of substance abuse, suicide and mental health in new and underserved communities, as well as in communities Lines for Life currently serves through its crisis lines and prevention services.
- Develops and implement ongoing training for staff and volunteers to promote cultural understanding and competency and a climate of equity and inclusion. Ensure all employees complete cultural competency training on an annual basis at a minimum.
- Collaborate with the HR Director and Volunteer Coordinator to develop initiatives to recruit and retain staff and volunteers from underserved and new communities, create a culture of care and connectedness for people from all different backgrounds, as well as to address barriers to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment for potential staff and volunteers from diverse communities.
- Promotes Lines for Life’s commitment to diversity and a climate of equity and inclusion through interaction with the Board of Directors, employees, volunteers, and community leaders from all ethno-cultural groups.
- Coach and mentor members of the Equity and Inclusion Committee.
- Prepare reports related to cultural engagement, equity and inclusion for the Board of Directors, Leadership team, grant proposals, community partners, etc.
- Actively participate on Lines for Life’s Leadership Team and consider organizational strategic decisions from the perspective of cultural engagement, equity and inclusion.
- Actively participate in fiscal oversight and program budget process in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operation.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skill Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology, social anthropology, public administration, human resource management or other related field.
- At least 5 years of progressive experience working in a cultural engagement, equity and inclusion function.
- Knowledge about workplace diversity, equity and inclusion strategic thinking and best practices.
- High cultural competency & humility and the ability to train others to become more culturally competent.
- Strategic thinking, planning and implementation skills.
- Thorough knowledge of state and federal legislation related to equity and inclusion including the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1991 Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Oregon Revised Statutes 659A.
- Analytical and evaluation skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to network and establish rapport with diverse people and groups.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in sociology, social anthropology, public administration, human resource management or other related field.
- Experience working in the non-profit sector.
- Knowledge about substance abuse, suicide and mental health.
Work Schedule
- This position will primarily work 40 hours per week during the day shift Mondays through Fridays, but will require occasionally working evenings, weekends and holidays to meet the training needs. This position may require working during inclement weather.
- This position requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the company.
Lived Experience: Lines for Life encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. This includes individuals who have undertaken their own recovery journey or supported someone through a recovery journey from mental health conditions, suicidal struggles, and/or substance abuse. They have the capacity to draw upon and use their own lived experiences to help others and prevent suicide and substance abuse and promote mental wellness.
EEO: Lines for Life strives to create a diverse, inclusive environment to better represent the communities that we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer.
All Lines for Life employees must be approved to work by the Oregon Department of Human Services’s Background Check Unit. Background checks are completed after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.