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.

  Opportunities in Tech - Don’t wait for the future, shape it.

  Benefits - We care about your well being.

Agency Description

The mission of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.  OHS works collaboratively with a broad-based network of public and private providers focused on utilizing practices that are informed by data, honor the different perspectives of all stakeholders and are trauma-informed.  OHS works to maximize resources while monitoring emerging trends, tracking progress and shifting priorities as needed.

OHS is the lead agency in Philadelphia for the Continuum of Care and the lead for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).  Through the HMIS, data on homelessness is collected and reported including participant counts, use of services and effectiveness of local homeless assistance.  The HMIS also enables OHS to participate more fully with other City of Philadelphia Health and Human Services departments to identify areas where we can collectively improve coordinating efforts to better help our most vulnerable citizens.  In addition, through the HMIS, OHS will be able to comply with data reporting requirements of other federal partners such as the Veterans’ Administration and Runaway Homeless Youth.

The Content and Configuration Specialist is responsible for effective HMIS configuration and maintenance of HMIS software and related infrastructure.  HMIS configuration is influenced by Philadelphia HMIS Governance Charter, Data Quality and Functionality Plan, Privacy and Security, HMIS Data Standards and other community-based needs identified through reporting and service delivery needs.  The HMIS Content and Configuration Specialist has primary responsibility over beta project development, HMIS user relations, content capacity building, compliance reviews, and cross system collaboration pertaining to HMIS requirements.  This includes developing and maintaining core competency content for the provider network guided by the OHS Administrative Plan, written standards and the CoC.  Core competencies include Housing First, Trauma-Informed care, motivational interviewing, de-escalation techniques, etc.  This employee will report to the Director of Performance Management in the Policy, Planning and Performance Management Division.

Essential Functions

HMIS Content Development

• HMIS configurations
• Collaborate with the HMIS Lead and the CoC Performance Management and Training Units in the development of appropriate training and guidance materials to support internal and external staff in understanding and meeting performance level standards.
• Develop configurations for new stakeholders into HMIS (such as Veterans, etc.)
• Monitor and measure deliverables and other required activities associated to ensuring users receive the proper HMIS related trainings.
• Configuration of provider specific reporting and workflow design to improve efficiency of data collection procedures.
• HMIS software Infrastructure improvements for the CoC’s coordinated entry process (such as virtual community by name list, eligibility automation, etc.)

Core Competency Content Development

• Assist in the development of core competency content for service provider agencies and OHS staff.

Data Sharing Coordination

• Configuration redesign of HMIS privacy and security infrastructure for client authorization data sharing requirements.
• Participate in the collaboration of all inter-agency electronic data sharing protocols and activities, including the data exchanges utilized by HUD and Federal Partners and the local CARES data management system.
• Ensure correct file formats (XML, CSV, etc.) and functionality for data exchange and data sharing are available and functioning within the software 

Technical Assistance

• Offer advanced HMIS technical support and play an integral role in supporting the development and implementation of program and system-level performance standards
• Integrate configurations of the infrastructure to allow new stakeholders into HMIS meet funding/ reporting requirements (such as Veterans, PATH, HOPWA, etc.)
• Respond to technical assistance questions from service providers in a timely manner via phone, email, and virtual support.

Policy and Procedural Development

• Provide, develop and maintain guidance for up to data training materials and guides related to the PhilaHMIS Governance Charter and Appendices.
• Review training materials and guides to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local privacy statutes and regulations as it relates to HMIS configurations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred in a related field
• Four (4) years’ work experience;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience deemed to be adequate.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and experience with HMIS is required; experience with ClientTrack is preferred
• Knowledge of federal HMIS regulations
• Proficient in data entry and database management software
• Understanding of SQL, Tableau and relational databases
• Excellent project management skills
• Must possess strong analytical skills and be detail-oriented

ABILITY TO:

• Analyze and resolve complex problems.
• Present ideas effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and departmental officials.

Salary range: $74,000

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Applications without all documents will not be considered.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• 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 

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

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