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 Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (oTIS) is charged with driving change through our transportation and infrastructure systems. oTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, and Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. oTIS is the lead agency for the planning, implementation and program management of the Indego Bike Share Program.

In addition, oTIS collaborates with organizations such as Amtrak, DVRPC, Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Commerce Department, Department of Public Property, PATCO, PennDOT, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Police Department, School District of Philadelphia, SEPTA. Find out more here at www.phila.gov/otis

POSITION

This position is responsible for community engagement and communications for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. This position would focus office communications and community engagement efforts centered around equity, safety, mobility, and transportation leadership. Work includes developing communication tools, plans and graphics as part of an integrated team working on planning, developing and administering transportation project initiatives, including transit, walking, biking, and the Vision Zero related projects. This position will serve as a liaison with other government agencies, the business community, elected officials, media, and citizen groups on transportation-related communications or community engagement issues. Assisting staff with communications and community engagement to better tell the story of oTIS’ work and more inclusively engage the residents of Philadelphia in the future of their transportation system will be a significant aspect of the work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write, edit, prepare and produce a variety of effective documents/messages for the public, including website content, social media messages, press releases, newsletters, fact pages, PowerPoint presentations, planning documents, project documents, and email messages; distribute via appropriate internal and external communication channels. 
• Collaborate with staff to craft communication plans, key messages, and community engagement strategies for various transportation topics and projects; ensure communication is in accordance with city policy guidelines. Work to execute these plans.
• Create videos, maps, graphics and other visual communication tools. 
• Plan and manage events and projects to engage, promote, and inform about transportation efforts including: community engagements, business engagement, public meetings, open houses, news conferences and other necessary events. 
• Develop and maintain accurate information about department programs and services. 
• Establish effective working relationships with department staff, local and regional partners, media, area businesses and the public. 
• Create graphics to clearly communicated technical findings and anaylsis to a lay audience.
• Conduct outreach to businesses and residents related to department projects and initiatives
• Coordinate and facilitate public meetings and events (e.g. project open house, pop-up meetings, etc)
• Coordinate the development of handouts, graphics, maps, presentations, and other materials
• Take photos and videos of projects before and after construction to support communications efforts
• Support internal employee communications efforts by distributing internal messages
• Develop and compose documents for public consumption related to office priorities, year-end reports, newsletters, etc.
  
  

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the concepts and communication needs of multimodal transportation systems 
  
• Strong ability to critically analyze information and communicate technical information to the public
  
• Experience with the latest principles, practices and techniques of mass communication and community engagement. 
  
• A demonstrated aptitude to embrace and use new digital communication platforms/systems and to integrate print, electronic, mobile, social and other media in strategic communications. 
  
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, where factual accuracy and consistency of information is essential. 
  
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills and customer service skills. 
  
• Advanced skill in using computer graphics and software applications, including the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Word
  
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple high-priority projects.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation abilities
  
• Proven ability to write reports and present research findings to a lay audience
  
• Ability to effectively collaborate with others in achieving tasks and to establish and maintain on-going productive working relationships.

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, English, or other appropriate field. Master's degree desirable.
• One or more years of experience in transportation communication, journalism, marketing, community engagement or equivalent or appropriate internship as defined by the department.
  

Interested applicants should submit a current resume and cover letter.

Successful candidate must be a City 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