Racial Equity Specialist; MA

Racial Equity Performance Specialist (MA4)

The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper.

The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self‑sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

The Data & Performance Unit (DPU) within the Housing Division (HD) is responsible for large scale system-wide initiatives related to homelessness and housing data systems, analysis, research, evaluation, and technical assistance. DPU teams work to support communities by:

• Strengthening data collection methods
• Safeguarding the privacy and security of protected data
• Improving data quality and data literacy
• Producing actionable and accessible analysis
• Evaluating performance and disparities
• Providing technical assistance to strengthen responses to homelessness and housing crisis

The Racial Equity Performance Specialist position develops equity‑based performance requirements and associated language that are integrated into applicable HD programs. The work of this position has a broad scope and significant impact on communities, directly governing how performance is measured in contracts. Contracted performance measurements and benchmarks developed and managed by this position determine which contracts will continue to be funded in applicable HD programs.

This position is a leader, technical expert regarding equitable access and outcomes in homeless systems, including the identification, measurement, and reduction of disparities experienced by historically marginalized and underserved populations.

• Develop equity‑based performance measurement theories and metrics and translate those metrics into technical specifications and collection procedures in compliance with state legislation.
• Draft, refine and maintain equity‑based performance requirements and contract language for applicable HD programs in compliance with state legislation.
• Examine and test fidelity of necessary data sources, calculations and methodologies needed to measure equitable outcomes in homeless systems. Determine how equity in homeless systems is assessed, measured and communicated.
• Provide expert direction, advice and consultation in housing equity performance management to HD staff, external partners and grantees.
• Champion equity‑based performance measures so that the agency executive management, the Legislature, county executives, grant managers, grantees and impacted parties understand how required performance improvement will reduce disparities in homeless systems and advance equity for better policy and funding decisions that impact marginalized communities.
• Author equity‑based performance improvement elements of State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan required under RCW 43.185C.040.
• Represent the State in national policy development process for equity in homeless systems, crafting responses to proposed rule changes in consultation with Commerce executive leadership and participating in federal rule setting meetings.

• Develop and implement an annual monitoring plan to assess compliance with equity‑based performance requirements.
• Develop and implement the ongoing annual process for measuring compliance. Review…