Diversity and Equity Specialist

Company Overview

At North Bay Regional Center we believe that all people with developmental disabilities should have the same opportunities as are available to all other citizens. As one of the 21 nonprofit Regional Centers throughout California, we offer a comprehensive program supporting the needs of our communities, provided by driven and passionate employees who ensure that we achieve our goals daily.

North Bay Regional Center is one of 21 Regional Centers for persons with developmental disabilities in California. Started as a grass roots movement, Regional Centers were originally established to assist persons with intellectual disabilities — and their families — in identifying and developing services and programs within their communities that help them lead more independent lives.  Each a non-profit, community-based organization, Regional Centers were established in 1965 under legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Frank Lanterman. The Lanterman Act became effective in 1969 and later expanded the populations served to include persons with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other disabling conditions requiring services similar to individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. In 1972, NBRC was incorporated to serve Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

Who We Serve

North Bay Regional Center provides advocacy, services, support and care coordination to children and adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

We partner with community-based organizations and agencies to empower our clients to thrive and live as independently as possible within the geographically, culturally, and ethnically diverse communities we serve.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

North Bay Regional Center (NBRC) staff, vendors, Board of Directors and the community have been working diligently to understand and reduce service disparities that effect the day to day lives of our consumers and their families, with a goal of evolving into a more culturally competent local service system that effectively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We believe it is critical to our success as an agency to learn from each other and grow together.

Are you passionate about providing support and caring for individuals with developmental disabilities? Are you looking for an organization where we help our clients achieve their goals and dreams? North Bay Regional Center is a nonprofit private corporation that contracts with the Department of Developmental Services to coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. At North Bay, we’re promoting opportunities by supporting choices for people with developmental disabilities.

North Bay Regional Center serves over 10,000 people living within the geographic boundaries of Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties. Guided by our NBRC Mission and Values to assist people with developmental disabilities to obtain the services and supports needed to live as others do in the community, NBRC has established Strategic Goals to guide our efforts in focused areas: employment, independence, community access and family supports.

NBRC is committed to being a culturally and linguistically competent agency, striving to provide the services that our diverse clients and families need in their unique circumstances. We also value the contributions that our diverse staff bring to the agency.

Definition

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Diversity and Equity Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing NBRC’s plans to promote equitable access to services and to reduce disparities in services and supports in our diverse community.  This position will provide leadership to ensure that all services and supports are provided in ways that are culturally and linguistically inclusive for the communities we serve.  As the central point of contact for diversity and equity efforts, the specialist will be knowledgeable about the community and able to identify emerging trends, develop relationships and collaborate with multiple entities to respond to ongoing challenges.

Nature of Work

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director, the Diversity and Equity Specialist develops and implements strategies for advancing cultural sensitivity within the regional center including among all employees.  Measures and reports progress utilizing data and other methods of feedback.  Provides ongoing training and coordinates other specialized training as needed.  Provides vision, leadership and coordination for the development of diversity and inclusion policy and procedures within North Bay Regional Center that ensures all clients take advantage of the services and supports available to assist in the achievement of the outcomes identified in their person-centered plans.  Participates in the planning and implementation of events designed to educate and support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families that are specifically designed to increase attendance in diverse cultural and linguistic communities.  Coordinates with the NBRC Outreach Specialist to plan outreach events in the general community in order to ensure that all communities are aware of and appropriately referred for services.

Minimum Education and Experience

A Master’s or Bachelor’ degree in social work, psychology, public administration, non-profit administration or related human services discipline.

AND

Not less than one year experience working in programs providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities and four years working in the area of inclusion and diversity.

Bilingual Spanish/English speaking skills strongly preferred.

Benefits

At NBRC, we offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• CalPERS Medical Insurance Plans, with generous employer contributions
• Dental Insurance, with zero cost for employee only coverage
• Vision Insurance, with $5/month employee cost share for employee only coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Generous vacation and sick accrual policies
• Employee Referral Reward Program
• 15 Paid Agency Holidays/year
• CalPERS 457 Supplemental Retirement Plan

• Bi-lingual language differential:

• For those speaking , reading and writing other than English – $150 per month
• For those speaking a language other than English – $100 per month
• For those using American Sign language – $150 per month

Salary Range:

$61,116 – $81,936 with opportunities for 5% increases annually.