Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians share in the city’s prosperous future and by alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities. CEO is Philadelphia’s Community Action Agency (CAA); CAAs are private or public agencies created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and federally designated to receive Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding.

Guiding Principles (We believe…)

• The people of Philadelphia deserve the opportunity to live happy, healthy, full lives. 
• City Government should both recognize its culpability in creating and sustaining inequity and aspire to its responsibility to provide opportunities, represent the best interests, and promote the well-being of all residents. 
• People can offer meaningful insights into both personal experiences and how systems around them function. 
• Poverty is a deliberately created systemic issue and city government can lead in calling for justice and dismantling the barriers that often prevent opportunities. 

Values (How we work)

• Dignity: We actively respect our individual colleagues and people in the community.
• Inclusivity: Our work is more beneficial, valuable, and valid when our full range of experiences, knowledge, and skills can contribute.
• Persistence: We recognize the challenges inherent in this work, and when we get discouraged, we find ways to be resilient, lift each other up, and push forward.
• Accountability: We are transparent and honest about our plans, our actions, and our results.
• Honesty: We create a space to have healthy, honest dialogues about systems, people, and misconceptions and then communicate truthfully.

Job Description

The Director of Community Engagement is a key position in helping oversee and implement community engagement campaigns by leading the creation and execution of place-based engagement plans and organizing based on a variety of City-Internal and external projects.

This position includes directly managing the Community Engagement Supervisors and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to Data & Evaluation Teams, Community Resource Teams, other Place-Based Initiative groups, other city departments engaged to fund or partner on community engagement activities, and the broader CEO organization. 

This position will collaborate with a range of stakeholders to ensure a layered and comprehensive engagement strategy and workplan per project. This position is part of the broader Place-Based Initiatives unit and is responsible for identifying best practices to be applied across the broader CEO organization. 

Essential Functions

• Under the leadership of the Deputy Executive Director of Place-Based Initiatives, collaborate with Directors of Community Resources and Director of Neighborhood Initiatives to develop CEO’s approach to community engagement. 
• Define and oversee the execution of a comprehensive community engagement strategic plan that includes both organizing and canvassing best practices and implementation to improve outcomes in communities. 
• Develop and implement project-based organizing and canvassing plans based on needs and defined goals from external partners. 
• Directs team in engaging in broad-based community listening through canvass level and neighborhood organizing work. 
• Leads implementation of quantitative and qualitative data gathering that informs community supports, program, and policy initiatives to improve economic conditions and social determinants of health in communities. 
• Works with the Community Engagement Trainer to develop resource and training needs for Community Engagement Team, Community Resources Team, and Neighborhood Initiatives Team; support the deployment and implementation of training and resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep understanding of best practices in community organizing and canvass strategy. 
• Ability to identify areas of improvement and work across teams to advance work. 
• Strong communication and ability to create plans, presentations, and findings reports to support connections between program, research, and policy. 
• Strong leader with a proven track record of success. 
• Proven project manager. 
• Training and/or facilitation experience. 
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and exercise sound judgement. 
• Complex problem-solving skills are essential. 
• Detailed oriented. 
• Ability to learn quickly. 
• Proficiency in creating realistic action plans. 
• Ability to anticipate and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to support staff and model best practices.

Qualifications

• Four (4) year college degree, Master’s Degree preferred; equivalencies in formal advanced degree and experience will be considered. 
• Previous work in non-profit or public sector is ideal. 
• A strong community engagement background is a plus. 
• (6) years of progressive management experience required; (2) years must be in a senior level managerial capacity.

Supervisory Responsibilities

 Supervises Community Engagement Supervisors 

Other Specialties, Certifications, Physical Requirements, and Work Conditions

• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, references and resume.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx