Advancing Equity and Sustainability in Workforce Development | FUSE Executive Fellowship

Please review the

How to Apply

section for application instructions.

9 Feb 2025

Priority Final date to receive applications:
February 17, 2025

The City of Long Beach, CA’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to addressing workforce disparities and ensuring equitable access to public health careers. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop and implement workforce development strategies that accelerate efforts to promote diversity, improve recruitment and retention, and establish a resilient talent pipeline. Ultimately, this initiative will help DHHS build a workforce that reflects Long Beach’s diversity, fostering equitable public health services and long-term capacity to serve underserved communities.

Fellowship Dates:
April 28, 2025 – April 24, 2026

Salary:Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change.

Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served.

They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the City of Long Beach, California is navigating challenges in internal workforce development, particularly in addressing the needs of its underserved and vulnerable populations. Systemic racial and economic disparities persist that leave many low-income residents, particularly communities of color, disproportionately affected by barriers to health services, employment opportunities, and equitable healthcare. Workforce instability has been exacerbated by recent funding cuts and inconsistent resources, contributing to higher turnover rates and insufficient long-term sustainability of qualified employees for DHHS’s programs.

Furthermore, mental health issues, succession planning, and vicarious trauma among staff from the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to strain the department’s ability to effectively engage with and serve its community.

To address workforce development issues and elevate the city’s economic development, Long Beach developed a  Strategic Plan, 2030 Strategic Vision, and  Workforce Development Plan that include strategies such as mentorship programs, job shadowing, and workforce goals tied to reaccreditation processes for employees to improve retention. However, DHHS still faces…