May 2023
equal opportunity employment journal
Page 35
How to Become a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist
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ow more than ever, top-tier employees and applicants equity in your organization. This can be done through managing are looking for a holistic work environment. Competitive diversity programs, projects, trainings, and communication pay, benefits, and growth opportunities remain crucial logistics, cross-divisionally. Across various industries, typical job functions for diversity, to attracting the best talent, but those traditional asks are now partnered with a desire for assured equitable circumstances, equity, and inclusion specialists include: diverse environments, Event and and confirmed inclusion programming opportunities for all employees. organization. Diversity, equity, and Diversity presentations inclusion specialists make and trainings are often it their mission to ensure presented to multiple that an organization’s divisions and departments people are being treated at once, through engaging fairly, with respect, and are events or experiential aware of the opportunities programs. Specialists available to them. are likely to organize, Diversity, equity, and facilitate, and moderate an inclusion specialists work organization’s events. closely with the human resources team, and often Committee a director or manager of Support. diversity and inclusion. Many o rg a n i z a t i o n s They are a supportive host committees that member of the larger allow specific groups of HR family, focusing on There are subject matter experts in the employees, or those with an organization’s overall a shared connection, to diversity, equity, and fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion, connect and evaluate inclusion strategies, and are trusted to bring creativity and programs, advancements, their needs from the and retention. organization. These groups compassion to the department. They are subject matter could be a Women in the experts in the fields of Profession Committee or an diversity, equity, and inclusion, and are trusted to bring LGBTQIA+ Alliance. The specialist supports these committees creativity and compassion to the department. by ensuring they have the proper resources and helps them to Diversity, equity, and inclusion specialists are excellent plan and meet their objectives. communicators with a passion for justice in the workplace. They are often people with a talent for speaking, collaborating, and Employee communication. Diversity, equity, and inclusion specialists are responsible for understanding the diverse backgrounds of others. They carry a high level of respect for global cultures and differences and answering employee questions via email, phone, or in person. Employees may have questions about the organization’s are excited by team-building opportunities. Day-to-day duties for a diversity, equity, and inclusion progress on a specific issue or need help understanding the specialist can vary based on the industry you work in and the size equity resources available to them. A specialist may also be of the department and company. However, the main goal of a the first point of contact when an employee brings a diversitydiversity, equity, and inclusion specialist stays consistent –– ensure related concern to the HR department.