Executive Director, Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs

The Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs consists of up to 30 volunteer members and is responsible, under the Executive Director's leadership, for advising on and advocating for programs, policies, and legislation that benefit African Americans in the Commonwealth. This position reports to the Director of External Affairs, who reports directly to the Governor.

The purpose of the Commission is to gather information regarding the experiences and needs of African Americans in Pennsylvania; review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting them; provide the Governor with information and recommendations regarding how best to meet their needs; and provide information about programs and services that may be relevant to needs of African Americans in Pennsylvania.

The Executive Director is responsible for communicating the priorities and accomplishments of the Governor and his Administration. In this role, the Executive Director will seek to spread awareness and increase access to programs and services provided by the Commonwealth that benefit every-day Pennsylvanians.

As the Commission Executive Director, you shall develop, review, and recommend policies in any relevant areas that affect African Americans. This includes partnering with state agencies to strengthen the enforcement of the Commonwealth's anti-discriminatory hiring, retention, and promotion policies. You will serve as a liaison to state agencies to ensure that programs impacting African Americans are effectively utilized; advise communities throughout the Commonwealth on activities and initiatives of the Governor and state government that impact African Americans; and identify programs, scholarships, mentoring programs, sources of funding, or other resources for the benefit and advancement of African Americans.

Our team will rely on you to participate in providing leadership and facilitate unifying communication as you conduct quarterly commission meetings and oversee monthly subcommittee meetings, form partnerships with advocacy organizations to identify programs and opportunities for the benefit and advancement of African Americans; and consult with commission members to promote the Governor's budget initiatives. This includes facilitating essential, practical functions of the commissioners by providing advice to commissioners on travel policies and reviewing their travel expense reports, coordinating with the Admin Services office when a commissioner is appointed or resigns, generating and distributing weekly reports to the commission and External Affairs Director, and consulting with commission members to promote the Governor's budget initiatives.

You will also serve as public advocate for African American Affairs by recruiting and interviewing potential commission members on behalf of the Governor; representing the Governor in statewide panel discussions, presentations, and press conferences; and coordinating outreach with local, state, and federal stakeholders. Your public-facing work will include collaborating with the other advisory commissions to engage in community outreach through an intersectional lens, attending critical community events to build relationships with the community members, and interfacing with various community leaders to learn about critical issues and needs. Your experience and dedication are paramount for the effective composition and implementation of strategic goals in collaboration with the commission. Join us to help ensure that all Pennsylvanians have a seat at the table and ensure they see themselves reflected in state government.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• This position may require occasional weekend and evening work.
• Travel may be required as needed.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to two days per week. Telework is subject to operational needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh, based on primary residence locality.
  • 501 N 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
  • 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
  • 301 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
• Salary: The starting salary is non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of five years of experience working directly with or within the African American community, including but not limited to community-based organizations, advocacy groups, or service organizations.

Additional Requirements:

• Proven track record of fostering positive relationships and working collaboratively with African American individuals, families, and community groups.
• Experience with addressing the unique social, economic, and cultural needs of the African American community, with a focus on equity, inclusion, empowerment, education, or economic mobility.
• Understand the intersectionality within the African American community, including the impacts of gender, class, sexual orientation, and other factors.
• You must possess knowledge of state government functions and structures.
• You must possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• You must possess the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• You must possess the ability to travel throughout the state of Pennsylvania, including a valid driver's license.
• You must possess the ability to organize, evaluate and present information efficiently.
• You must possess the ability to perform research and critical analysis.
• You must possess effective time management and the ability to work to meet deadlines.
• You must be proficient in using common Microsoft Office software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
• You must be able to perform the essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a cover letter and resume for review by the hiring manager. Failure to attach these documents could result in you not being considered for the position.
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.