Program Specialist

  • Full-time

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.

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

  Benefits - We care about your well being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia (City)’s Office of Criminal Justice (OCJ) facilitates partnerships between City agencies, criminal justice partners, non-profit organizations, and community members to advance the Kenney administration’s goals around violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and serving the formerly incarcerated.

To advance the Kenney Administration’s goals around violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and serving the formerly incarcerated, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Criminal Justice (OCJ) has formed a Violence Prevention initiative which will focus 100% of its efforts on reducing crime in the city of Philadelphia.

Job Description

We are seeking to hire a highly motivated and talented individual to coordinate program services and community outreach initiatives for Philadelphia’s office of Violence Prevention. The Program Specialist will also be responsible for assuring all violence prevention programs are in compliance and will report to the Deputy Director of Violence Prevention.

Essential Functions

Program Specialist will be responsible for the oversight, coordination, and quality assurance of the social services provided by the office of violence prevention, to include, among others, the following duties:

  • Case management: Ensures compliance, and procedures are developed/ enforced in alignment with the standards of the Office of violence Prevention.
  • Outreach Coordination: collaborate with partnering community-based organizations to implement a plan of action regarding community engagement and crisis response for the office of violence prevention
  • Program Evaluation: Coordinates process for improving organizational performance by recommending areas or approaches for improvement initiatives or activities, performing new procedures, collecting data, and providing input to violence prevention organizations.
  • Project Management: Planning, implementing, and coordinating supported community events.
  • Develop and facilitate relevant relationships between all participating social service agencies.
  • Implement and sustain community contacts within the operating districts.
  • Proactively identify and create new partnership opportunities with individuals/networks/groups who engage in violence prevention initiatives
  • Delivering weekly/monthly status reports to the Deputy Director of Violence Prevention
  • Responsible for assisting with preparation of written documents, including but not limited to community involvement plans, fact sheets, policy briefs, news releases

Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • Must have a bachelor’s level degree or currently enrolled in a College/University with at least 10 years relevant working experience. OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable that has included the completion of a graduate’s degree program and the specific experience.
  • Experience in social work, case management, education, criminal justice, juvenile justice, or an appropriate equivalent.
  • Experience in working with and between different systems.
  • Should have excellent leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
  • Experience in working with community organizations/agencies and high-risk populations a must.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Principles of integrated case management strongly preferred
  • Extensive knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences, with emphasis on behavior deviations
  • Extensive knowledge of community, social, economic resources, and conditions

Ability to:

  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies, community partners and communities the Office of Violence Prevention serves.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with disturbed and/or maladjusted individuals, public agency and institutional personnel and the public.
  • Analyze complex problems and reach sound decisions.
  • Organize and direct the work of the partnership from the ground level.
  • Present ideas effectively in oral, written, and graphic form.
  • Ability to prepare or supervise the preparation of reports and records.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $45,000-50,000

Please attach a cover letter and resume in the additional attachments section. 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

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