HRC gives input on equity director position

  As part of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, the City Council approved funding for a new citywide Director of Equity and Inclusion. Last week, Revere’s Human Rights Commission gave its input on the job description for the position, which will be listed with an annual salary of $85,000 plus benefits. The position is in place of an Executive Director for the commission, which the members had previously discussed.

  “This is a new job that just got approved in the budget effective July 1,” said Human Rights Commission Chair Janine Grillo Marra. “The job description is broader than the executive director job description we were asked to review back in March. Most of that executive director job description and most of those responsibilities are included, but this is a much broader job description.”

  The new position will lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity to support the city’s Racial Equity Municipal Action Plan, according to Mayor Brian Arrigo. In the lead up to the FY22 budget discussions, Arrigo stated that the new director will work with the Human Rights Commission, mayor’s Cabinet, City Council and city department heads to champion the values of a diverse and inclusive city. Qualifications listed in the draft job listing discussed by the Human Rights Commission last week include a bachelor’s degree in humanities, political science or other related field, with a JD or master’s in public administration, civil rights law or human rights law preferred. The city is also looking for someone either from Revere or who has great knowledge of the community.

  “The most important thing in this position is getting someone who is coming from the community, someone who understands the community, someone who understands the issues in this Revere community,” said Human Rights Commission Member Rachid Moukhabir. “Someone coming from New York or California doesn’t necessarily know what is going on in our city. We need someone with a track record of community organization, and more importantly, someone who listens.”

  Moukhabir said he would also like to see the job description pared down from its current multipage form. “The HR director has already mentioned, like you said, that this is too big and detailed, so after the HRC gives input, it’s going to be looked at again to try to condense it,” said Marra.

  Commission Member Kourou Pich asked if the $85,000 is the most that could be offered for the position. “I feel like this is a huge responsibility,” she said, adding she would like to see a salary range of $85,000 to $100,000.

  Marra said she would pass the request along to the Mayor’s Office, but said she isn’t sure if the salary could be increased, since the $85,000 figure was in the budget approved by the council.

  The input from the Human Rights Commission will be summarized and given to the city’s HR director, who will then craft a final job description for the position. Marra said that once a final job description is completed she will distribute it to the commission members.