SENIOR EQUITY OFFICER

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Equity Officer

Chicago Police Department (CPD)

Equity and Engagement

Number of Positions: 1 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

The Senior Equity Officer will lead high-impact initiatives that advance equity within the Chicago Police Department (CPD), with primary oversight of the CPD’s Equity Plan and Racial Equity Action Plan implementation. This role involves designing and managing programs that address systemic disparities, while continuously analyzing data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making. The Senior Equity Officer will provide expert guidance on policy development, equity-related procedures, and reform initiatives, working closely with internal stakeholders and diverse community partners to build trust and ensure that community voices shape CPD reforms. Additionally, this position will mentor junior equity staff and collaborate with executive leadership to drive a culture of fairness, accountability, and transparency across all department operations.

Essential Duties:

• Oversees the development of resources and strategies to promote racial and social equity work within a department’s operations and services (e.g., access to affordable housing, library programming, healthcare services, etc.)
• Directs the development of goals and strategies that promote equity and inclusion in department processes, practices, and policymaking
• Directs the development of an infrastructure to sustain the department’s commitment to equity
• Participates on a department’s senior executive team providing expertise and guidance on policy and strategy initiatives that advance equitable outcomes
• Oversees the work of subordinate staff (e.g., assigning and reviewing work, approving time off requests, preparing staff performance evaluations, and administering disciplinary actions)
• Manages and participates in the development of outreach and engagement policies, procedures, and plans to facilitate the effective inclusive delivery and participation of department initiatives and projects and to engage and increase stakeholder participation
• Provides leadership, guidance, and training, to departments and agencies in normalizing concepts of racial equity, organizing staff to work together for transformational change, and operationalizing new practices, policies, and procedures that result in more fair and just outcomes
• Partners with departmental divisions and external organizations to implement programming to effectively support and advance equitable outcomes for communities
• Analyzes legislation and policies providing expert technical guidance to management on equity policies impacting department programs and practices
• Ensures cohesiveness in department plans with the City’s overall equity and racial justice initiatives
• Ensures department programs and services nurture narratives and practices that embrace belonging, mutuality, and unity
• Cultivates and maintains partnerships with community members, delegate agencies, Aldermen, and stakeholders to identify needs and create diverse solutions at the departmental level
• Manages and monitors data relevant to department racial and social equity gaps, impact analysis and gains and develops metrics to measure the effectiveness of equity goals
• Utilizes evidence and data to oversee the development of responsive and meaningful solutions to improve department programs and services
• Manages and tracks department action items and deliverables across multiple racial and social equity initiatives and working groups
• Directs outreach and community engagement with all City neighborhoods to ensure communities have equitable resources
• Manages and tracks department action items and deliverables across multiple racial and social equity initiatives and working groups
• Collaborates on outreach and community engagement with all City neighborhoods to ensure communities have equitable resources
• Acts as a liaison with the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) and the Office of Community Engagement
• Manages the department’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in equity practices across the department
• Develops public awareness strategies and outreach activities for the department’s equity programs and services
• Stays current on emerging issues and trends in racial and social equity
• Ensures the training of managers and front-line staff on racial and social equity policies, procedures, and resources
• Directs the preparation and submission of comprehensive reports, dashboards, and studies
• Represents the department on equity issues in a variety of forums

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Location: Chicago Police Headquarters

3510 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago Il 60653

Days: Monday through Friday

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Salary: $103,176 (Non-negotiable)

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, plus four (4) years of work experience in the administration of diversity, equity, racial, and/or social justice programs of which one year is in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience provided the minimum degree requirement is met.

Disclaimer – “Accredited” means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

SELECTION REQUIREMENT: This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected for hire.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Prior experience planning/building effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies (multi-year) and programs (i.e., implementation of a Racial Equity Action Plan)
• Prior experience leading a project from vision/solutions development through practical/hands-on implementation.
• Knowledge of, and demonstrated interest in, relevant federal, state, and municipal employment laws and regulations, including Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action and American’s with
• Disabilities Act (EEO/AA and ADA)
• Knowledge of, and demonstrated interest in, diversity, equity, procedural justice, civil rights and/or law enforcement issues
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Familiarity with Chicago municipal government, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and associated public safety accountability and criminal justice programs and functions.
• Prior experience developing data collection instruments such as surveys, direct and participatory observation, interviews, focus groups, and literature searches
• Ability to fluently read, write and speak any language other than English.

Application EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Please note, all positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59 pm C.S.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from October 03, 2025, until 11:59 pm C.S.T. on October 17, 2025. No exceptions will be made.