Senior Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) - (24-OMAC-103000-055)

Job Description

Who We Are & What We Do:

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the CEO/General Manager

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description

The Senior Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for leading, planning and integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion programs and initiatives with the overall business strategy to cultivate and represent DC Water as an inclusive and representative Employer. This includes providing guidance, training, and support to internal and external partners, advocating for diversity and inclusion, and overseeing the design and implementation of equity programs. The role will supervise staff, collaborate with community organizations, and monitor progress towards goals. They will also assess risks, develop financial plans, and maintain relationships with diversity-related businesses.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic vision with diversity utilization goals, fostering an inclusive and equitable organizational environment.
• Directs and leads DEI goals, initiatives, programs, and events.
• Oversees the creation and dissemination of DEI communications.
• Reviews and analyzes existing DC Water programs and policies to identify barriers potentially impacting DEI and recommends strategies to eliminate barriers and improve DEI efforts.
• Manages efforts to document and evaluate disparate impacts, analyzing indicators and progress benchmarks related to systemic disparities.
• Serves as an influencer, educator, and change management consultant by developing and presenting DEI events and trainings.
• Recommends practices to create organizational awareness and understanding, ensuring the use of an equity lens in decision-making.
• Collaborates with hiring teams to integrate DEI principles into recruitment, talent development, and retention strategies.
• Guides in establishing, supporting, and cultivating DC Water’s DEI employee resource groups.
• Establishes metrics for measuring the effectiveness of DEI initiatives, tracks, and reports metrics to senior leadership.
• Creates and fosters external partnerships, attends public events and panels, and approved conferences related to DEI.
• Stays abreast of best practices and evolving trends in DEI.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships: Interacts with Executive Staff Members, DC Water Board Members, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, members of the DC City Council, high level officials from District Government agencies and private organizations, officials from neighboring water/sewer utilities, customers of DC Water, numerous citizen groups, and the public.

Skills & Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Experience

Required Skills & Qualifications

Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in developing and measuring the effectiveness of DEI initiatives.

Knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity federal, state, and local laws.

Minimum Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Communications, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Skills

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership

Program Management

Cultural Competence

Change Management

Communication & Presentation Skills

Strong Collaboration and Teamwork

Analytical Skills

Required Licenses & Certifications

None

Required Languages

English

Physical Requirements

General office conditions

Preferred Experience

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Demonstrated record of driving measurable change in organizational culture.

Experience in community, educational, or social justice programs management.

Preferred Education Requirements

Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, Communications, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Skills

Employee Resource Groups & Affinity Networks

Legal and Compliance Knowledge

Conflict Management

Empathy And Emotional Intelligence

Social Justice & Community Engagement Initiatives

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

Preferred Licenses & Certifications

Certified DEI Professional

• The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.
  
  

Your Experience At DC Water

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.
• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.
• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.
• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.
  
  

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities”.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email complianceada@dcwater.com .