With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all of our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The mission of the Office of Homeless Services 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 Collaborative Applicant for the Philadelphia Continuum of Care, and is located within the Health and Human Services Cabinet, which includes the Departments of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), Human Services (DHS), Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, and Public Health (DPH).

POSITION SUMMARY
OHS seeks a Deputy Director of Planning, Policy, and System Performance who will be responsible for leading the planning for and development of a comprehensive continuum of homeless services that is informed by a deep understanding of the local conditions of poverty, diversity and equity; that is informed by data and best practices; and that is measurable and achievable.

Under the direction of the Department Director, the Deputy Director provides strategic direction and leadership as part of a senior management team that includes the Chief of Staff, Deputy Director for Housing Services, and Deputy Director for Administration. The position will lead a staff of approximately 20. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Integrate the use of data and performance measures into the culture of the homeless housing system.

• Create mechanisms and reports to support data-informed decision making.

• Compare local data trends with national findings and make recommendations regarding changes in policy or practice.

• Lead Continuum of Care Planning/City of Philadelphia planning efforts to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to utilize data for evaluation and system coordination.

• Prepare plans and reports as required by funding sources (e.g. City of Philadelphia budget process, HUD’s Consolidated Plan, Continuum of Care plans and status reports regarding efforts to end homelessness, etc.)

• As needed, create and implement change management strategies and plans that maximize staff

• Ensure that the Homeless Management Information System is fully compliant with HUD requirements, that end users have adequate support and training, that client information is safeguarded, and that dashboards and tools bolster data quality and the use of data for program and system performance improvement.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Understand local, state and national policy implications and their impact on the Philadelphia Continuum of Care and be able to effectively communicate these implications and impact to a diverse audience of staff, providers, advocates, and other stakeholders.

• Policy development, analysis, and evaluation. Understanding of national, state, and local funding streams and regulations.

• Data analysis and interpretation.

• Ability to lead effectively within changing and competing priorities.

• Ability to adapt to, manage, and lead change. Have a solid understanding of the change process, and the steps individuals go through to realize change.

• Ability to think critically and strategically, while making timely and appropriate decisions.

• Ability to work cooperatively with cross-functional teams internally and externally.

• Well developed planning, analytical, negotiation, and problem solving skills to resolve complex and diverse issues.

• Superior verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate ideas and information to a variety of audiences (staff, media, community leaders, elected officials, and other senior level external staff), including creation and delivery of presentations and written reports.



• Master’s degree in relevant field
• Minimum five years proven, successful experience in administering and evaluating housing, social services, and/or programs for individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness.
• Proficient in computer applications including Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook).
  

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

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