Chief Equity Officer; Director

Chief Equity Officer (Director I) - Open Until Filled

Join the City of Portland and apply for the Chief Equity Officer (Director I) - Open Until Filled role.

Job Appointment: Full‑Time, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Work Schedule: In‑person
Work Location: Portland, Oregon
Benefit: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for a Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the Motus online portal. Attach a resume and cover letter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position is open until filled. Early submission is encouraged.

The Chief Equity Officer (Director I) serves as the City’s senior executive responsible for shaping, implementing, and advancing citywide equity strategies, policies, and cultural transformation efforts. Reporting to the City Administrator, this position leads the Office of Equity and Human Rights and serves as the City’s chief advisor on equity, civil rights compliance, accessibility, and anti‑discrimination practices.

This leader works across all bureaus and offices to operationalize equity in governance, budgeting, workforce practices, community engagement, and service outcomes. The Chief Equity Officer represents the City in regional, statewide, and national equity forums, builds meaningful partnerships with community organizations, and ensures legal and ethical compliance with civil rights and accessibility mandates.

The role requires a strategic systems thinker, a culturally grounded relationship‑builder, and an experienced executive who can inspire change in a complex political and organizational environment.

• Organizational Leadership & Management
  • Provide executive leadership to the Office of Equity and Human Rights, including strategic planning, organizational direction, budget oversight, staffing, and operational management.
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for Civil Rights Title VI compliance, ADA Title II accessibility work, partnering with Indigenous peoples, workforce equity, policy development, training, and community engagement initiatives.
  • Partner with the City Administrator, deputy city administrators, and bureau directors to integrate equity into decision‑making, policy development, budgeting, and leadership practices.
  • Develop and maintain internal systems, performance measures, and accountability structures that track progress toward citywide equity outcomes.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive, and trusting workplace culture that supports employee development, psychological safety, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Policy, Strategy & Legal Oversight
  • Oversee the City’s compliance with civil rights, anti‑discrimination, and accessibility laws, including Title VI, ADA Title II, and related federal and state mandates.
  • Direct the development and implementation of citywide equity frameworks, programs, tools, and reporting structures.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the mayor, city administrator, deputy city administrators, and council on equity implications of proposed legislation, policies, and initiatives.
  • Coordinate equity impact analyses and provide clear recommendations to inform inclusive decision‑making.
  • Represent the City in legal, regulatory, and policy‑related forums, working closely with the City Attorney’s Office and partner bureaus.
• Community Engagement & Public Representation
  • Serve as one of the City’s primary ambassadors for equity, representing the Office of Equity and Human Rights in regional and national spaces.
  • Build strong, trust‑based relationships with culturally specific organizations, community partners, civil rights advocates, Indigenous communities, and accessibility communities.
  • Ensure community voices—especially those from historically and currently marginalized groups—inform City programs, policies, and priorities.
  • Engage with Council offices, civic leaders, and public stakeholders to advance shared equity goals and respond to community needs with transparency and accountability.
• Equity, Inclusion…