On Thursday, the campaign for President Joe Biden released a job advertisement for a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), aiming to craft and implement a comprehensive strategy to attract and support diverse talent, reinforcing the campaign’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Director will be tasked with developing and overseeing the DEI strategy and initiatives, as well as providing regular reports on the campaign’s diversity efforts. Additionally, they will establish partnerships with external DEI organizations and provide support to existing diverse campaign staff.
Biden administration (Credits: The Hill)
The job listing specifies the requirement for extensive experience in the DEI field and offers a salary range of $95,000 to $120,000 annually. The Biden campaign mandates that all employees remain “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccinations.
Despite recent national debates surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion roles, the Biden campaign remains steadfast in its commitment to the concept, aiming to enhance the DEI knowledge and skills of its staff. This move comes despite a decline in the usage of DEI language in corporate America, indicating a shifting landscape in discussions around diversity and inclusion.
However, recent legislative actions, such as the elimination of DEI staff positions at the University of Texas at Austin to comply with state law SB 17 and the passage of similar bills in Florida, highlight the challenges facing DEI initiatives in certain regions.
Biden (Credits: Gallup News)
In addition to developing workshops and providing coaching on DEI best practices, the DEI Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the campaign’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This job posting coincides with House Democrats’ recent efforts to enshrine DEI programs at the federal level through the Federal Government Equity Improvement Act. This legislation aims to prioritize racial equity and justice in all administrative and policy decisions across federal agencies, as articulated by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.
