The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in the DEIJ Department to be based at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center located in Annapolis, MD, with travel to other offices in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is dedicated to a thriving Bay that provides for the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the nearly 19 million people who call the Bay region home.
Generations of racism and discriminatory policies have created a society where the burdens of an unhealthy Bay are not borne equally. Equitable solutions to these issues require the voices and input from the communities most impacted and most vulnerable. But for too long, the environmental movement, CBF included, has not provided adequate space for these leaders.
That’s why we’re committed to intentionally increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) and advancing environmental justice in our own organization and throughout the Bay restoration effort.
In service to this commitment and to advance this work, CBF is seeking a dynamic executive leader who will collaboratively develop and lead the organization’s DEIJ strategy for CBF’s programs. Over the course of 2023, CBF will also be partnering with The Avarna Group on trainings, visioning, and strategy related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and intentionally integrating environmental justice into our programs.
Most importantly, this key leader will lead CBF’s community engagement strategy in service of supporting Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) and those of Hispanic or Latino descent; immigrants; people with disabilities; LGBTQIA+ identifying people; and other individuals historically excluded from the movement and impacted by the environmental injustices in the Chesapeake Bay region.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
DEIJ – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
CBF’s newly created DEIJ department is committed to intentionally increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and advancing environmental justice in our own organization and throughout the Bay restoration effort. Generations of racism and discriminatory policies have created a society where the burdens of an unhealthy Bay are not borne equally. Equitable solutions to these issues require the voices and input from the communities most impacted and most vulnerable. CBF is dedicated to a thriving Bay that provides for the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the nearly 19 million people who call the Bay region home.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The VP for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is a senior executive level position responsible for leading, developing, and executing CBF’s overall DEIJ strategy. The VP for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice will serve on, and provide strategic counsel to, the Executive Management Team, as well as support all CBF staff.
Essential functions include:
- Strategic Leadership & Organizational Support:
- With support from The Avarna Group, CBF’s equity consultants, and staff and board DEIJ committees, create a vision and strategy for DEIJ CBF’s programmatic work.
- Develop and Implement CBF’s overall diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) strategy ensuring its alignment with and integration into CBF’s Annual and 5-Year Strategic Plans.
- Establish and track key success factors and competencies. Work with Executive leadership to ensure accountability for building strong equity competencies.
- Actively explore ideas for furthering and deepening CBF’s commitment to DEIJ as a central component of our efforts to put people and communities at the center of our work.
- Community Engagement:
- Build and maintain a network of partnerships with BIPOC-led organizations, environmental justice organizations, community leaders, and more to inform programmatic work and priorities.
- Build and maintain relationships with key decision makers (e.g., law makers, funders, etc.) who are instrumental in furthering CBF’s DEIJ strategy.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to shape the vision of CBF’s external DEIJ strategy.
- Support staff in maintaining and building relationships with key stakeholders in programmatic and policy initiatives.
- Provide community engagement learning opportunities, resources, and guidance for CBF staff in their own community engagement activities.
- When appropriate, support and encourage other conservation partners to engage in DEIJ work.
- Policy and Program Support:
- Collaborate with, and provide support to, program, education, and policy staff to bring CBF’s external DEIJ values to fruition and to advance environmental justice. You can find out more about our current programs at https://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/.
- Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to:
- Build a membership base that reflects the diversity In the Bay region; and
- Support soliciting funds from foundations, agencies, and donors to advance DEIJ initiatives.
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- Collaborate with the VP for Communications to:
- Support external and Internal communications.
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- Work closely with the VP for People and Culture to:
- Integrate DEIJ into all CBF human capital programs; and
- Provide staff with relevant DEIJ resources and education opportunities.
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Our Ideal Candidate
Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every qualification listed in a job description. Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? We value lived experience, are serious about embracing diversity, and are committed to building a team that represents our communities’ backgrounds.
Education- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
Years of Experience- 10+ years of professional experience with 5 years in a leadership role (or relevant higher education degree) and 5 years of experience in a conservation/environmental protection, community organizing, or policy/advocacy organization.
Competencies –
- Strategy & Community Engagement
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- Experience building strategic programs that further diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles.
- Demonstrated understanding and experience in building collaborative and community informed programs and policies.
- Demonstrated understanding of the intersection between equity and justice and conservation, outdoor programming, climate change, land rights, and environmental health issues.
- Strong ability to repair: Able to recognize when there is a breach in a relationship, acknowledge role in creating that breach, and act proactively to repair that breach.
- Successfully works to address grievances and works towards restorative solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with people who have varying levels of experience, understanding, and commitment to DEIJ.
- Leadership
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- Ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams.
- Ability to engage in inclusive leadership practices.
- Proven skill and success in supervising, developing, and supporting staff.
- Skill and will to initiate and engage in uncomfortable and challenging conversations related to DEIJ aimed to educate, shift behaviors, shift mindsets or build bridges.
- Ability to work with people across differences while maintaining a commitment to DEIJ
- Project and Office Management:
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- Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, meet deadlines, and display initiative and innovation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey complex, academic, and/or nuanced information clearly to a variety of audiences (leaders, colleagues, board, donors, partners, stakeholders, etc.).
Salary Range: $155k – $165k
To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on CBF website. This position will be open until filled.
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 2 floating holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution.
CBF requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The successful candidate will need to submit verification of vaccination or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.
To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:
- Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
- Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
- Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
- Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.
CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.