Q&A
MOERJ staffing, resources, and office space needs
0:59:40
ยท
125 sec
Council Member Williams inquires about MOERJ's staffing, resources, and office space. Commissioner Sherman provides details on the office's current capacity and future needs.
- The racial equity planning team includes:
- 10 equity planning managers
- A director of equity planning
- A deputy commissioner
- A senior advisor supporting policy and planning work
- Additional staff include communications, administrative, and legal teams
- MOERJ's total headcount is 37 (excluding Commission on Gender Equity and Young Men's Initiative)
- Currently, 25 positions are filled, 3 candidates are in the pipeline, and 10 positions are still in the hiring phase
- The office aims to complete all hiring by the end of the fiscal year
- MOERJ is outgrowing its current space at 253 Broadway and is in discussions with DCAS about finding more suitable accommodations
Nantasha M. Williams
0:59:40
Yes and I do not doubt that you take it serious.
0:59:45
I know you take it serious.
0:59:46
I'm talking about like the other agencies and people that have been in government for multiple decades that have like adopted like bad behaviors or you know essentially become a part of the system that don't care about racial equity and I just want to make sure they take it serious like I'm very clear that you and your team, y'all take it serious.
1:00:06
I'm concerned about the other people that don't take it serious that it's not a priority for them.
1:00:12
Can you just tell me like how many people are on the racial equity plan team?
1:00:15
You said 10 and then a data person, so 11 people altogether?
Sideya Sherman
1:00:19
So we have 10 equity planning managers and a director of equity planning who all report to our deputy commissioner.
1:00:27
We also have a senior advisor who's supporting policy, some planning work as well.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:00:35
Okay, do you think that's enough?
Sideya Sherman
1:00:40
I think that it I think that based on the way in which we are developing and rolling out the work, I think that that is a sound structure.
1:00:48
I would add that that's not the sum total of our team, right?
1:00:53
We you know have a communications team, we have an administrative team, we have a chief of staff, we're bringing on a general counsel right.
1:01:01
Everybody plays a role in this work, but for the team that are really the sort of tip of the arrow that are working with agencies day to day, This is you know what we believe to be a good infrastructure.
1:01:13
Obviously we you know we'll continue to assess our needs annually and also assess them as we you know start to implement the first plan.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:01:23
Where are y'all located?
1:01:24
Like where is your office located?
Sideya Sherman
1:01:26
We are right across the street at 253.
Nantasha M. Williams
1:01:29
Do you have enough space?
1:01:30
That's like it seems like you like ramped up with a lot people.
Sideya Sherman
1:01:32
You have ramped up, that's a great question councilmember.
1:01:34
We are outgrowing our space and we are in conversations with DCAS, our partners who are working with us to ensure that we can find space that meets our needs.