DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICER
New Jersey treats Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a master's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $100,498 and $148,187.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of an appointing authority head or their designee, or other administrative official in a state department, institution, or agency, supervises the development, coordination, implementation, and administration of the department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion DEI programs and initiatives; reviews and analyzes diversity data to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, Executive Orders, rules, and regulations, and to recommend improvements where necessary; supervises the training of department officials and employees on DEI programs, resources, and trends; directs and oversees the development, maintenance, and monitoring of diversity metrics; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Develops short- and long-term goals, objectives, and milestones of the department's DEI programs; sets timetables for achieving goals; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness and recommends changes to management as needed. Develops standard operating procedures to facilitate the work of the DEI programs and unit. Monitors the department's DEI programs and activities to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, Executive Orders, rules, and regulations. Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's DEI programs and activities. Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation related to DEI and recommends changes, expansions, or revisions to management. Analyzes various technical, statistical, and/or financial reports to measure department progress in the area of DEI. Analyzes the department's recruitment strategy and practices to identify barriers to recruitment, onboarding, employment, development, and retention; develops approaches to reduce these barriers. Analyzes and reviews department policies and procedures to identify any systemic barriers and recommend improvements in DEI to foster an inclusive work environment and culture through progressive policies. Directs and oversees the development, maintenance, and monitoring of diversity metrics. Maintains continuous liaison with the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Administration, and management, keeping them advised of the current status and progress of all department activities related to DEI goals and objectives. Maintains a liaison relationship with other state departments involved in overseeing and/or implementing DEI efforts. May be required to work with and/or support the department's efforts to achieve vendor and supplier DEI. Provides information, training, and technical assistance to employees, other state departments, and others concerning all aspects of DEI, including but not limited to the department's progress on specific DEI issues, application of regulations and policies, and/or available resources. Acts as a consultant to staff in implementing the department's DEI training programs. Oversees the department's training programs and diversity outreach efforts in the community and underrepresented schools and universities; may attend meetings and conferences as a representative of the department in DEI matters. Supervises the preparation of notices, memoranda, and/or news releases about policy changes, major events, or other information. Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of principles and techniques of supervision. Knowledge of DEI principles and best practices. Knowledge of laws, policies, rules, and regulations related to equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and DEI. Knowledge of training principles and techniques. Knowledge of unions and community organizations, their purposes, capabilities, and agendas. Knowledge of program development and monitoring techniques. Knowledge of basic descriptive statistics. Knowledge of the methods used to gather and analyze data. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to track, review, and interpret legislation and apply laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to assess how diversity is interwoven into the agency's mission, vision, culture, and strategy. Ability to identify and define systemic barriers and develop practical solutions to rectify such situations. Ability to assist management in integrating DEI into their strategies. Ability to analyze data/information pertaining to DEI programs/initiatives and draw logical conclusions. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with associates, task forces, workgroups, and others. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Ability to keep current with new trends and developments in DEI. Ability to prepare technical, statistical, and/or financial reports, notices, memoranda, and/or news releases. Ability to develop goals, objectives, and standard operating procedures for the DEI unit. Ability to perform basic mathematical and statistical calculations (e.g., mean, standard deviation, percentages, addition, subtraction, etc.). Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience in developing, coordinating, and/or implementing programs designed to address diversity, equity, and/or inclusion in the workplace, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in business administration, social work administration, personnel administration, psychology, guidance and counseling, or a related degree; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute a valid certification in Diversity from an accredited college or institution towards meeting the above requirements. Applicants must submit proof showing the number of credits earned by attaining the certification. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.