With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the sixth 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 Department of Planning and Development (DPD) coordinates Philadelphia’s planning, zoning, development, and housing functions to promote the economic health of all neighborhoods and the City. DPD includes the Divisions of Housing and Community Development; Planning and Zoning; and Development Services. 
 The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) is a division within the Department of Planning and Development, tasked with guiding the development and growth of the City. The PCPC and staff are responsible for:

• The preparation and implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan, Phila2035
• Recommending a six-year Capital Program and annual Capital Budget for the City
• Proposed zoning ordinances, maps and amendments
• Approval of plans for streets and regulations governing the subdivision of land
• Recommendations to the Mayor and City Council concerning acquisition or disposition of real estate

The Commission also addresses issues of community and economic development, public health and environmental sustainability, and multi-modal transportation policy. Particular emphasis is placed on humanizing the scale of the city through urban design.

About the Citizens Planning Institute:

The Citizens Planning Institute (CPI) is the outreach, education, and civic engagement arm of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to more actively involve citizens in the planning and development process. Initiated in 2010, the program has achieved significant accomplishments, among them the successful training of 540 ‘Citizen Planners’ from over 125 Philadelphia neighborhoods. Its main programming is a seven-week course offered every spring and fall that engages the diversity of Philadelphia residents on issues relating to city planning, zoning, and development to help them shape and preserve their neighborhoods. All classes focus on actionable information Citizen Planners can use in their communities. Successful graduates completing the 15 required hours of classes receive a Certificate of Completion as a Citizen Planner. CPI has become a nationally recognized model for citizen planning education, earning a 2013 National American Planning Association (APA) “Excellence Award for Best Practice” and a 2014 Pennsylvania Chapter APA “Planning Leadership for Professional Planner” award for its Director. 

Participants join a rich alumni network of Citizen Planners. Citizen Planners are invited back to take special topic classes each semester. They also serve as instructors, participate on an Advisory Board, and organize neighborhood tours and learning exchanges with the Alumni Committee. The CPI staff (of two) connects them with City resources and other Citizen Planners working on similar issues or in the same neighborhood. The benefit of learning from fellow engaged citizens reverberates beyond the classroom through the Citizens Toolkit, a collection of stories and step-by-step tools of how Citizen Planners accomplished projects and what they learned.

The Program Manager position is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the Citizens Planning Institute. The position will assist the Director of CPI in developing policies to enhance the CPI program to advance strategic initiatives identified in its five-year expansion program. The position reports to the Director of the Citizens Planning Institute.

• Managing the delivery of the semi-annual course series, including, but not limited to:
  • Leading outreach and recruitment efforts;
  • Administering the program application process;
  • Ensuring course materials meet CPI standards;
  • Production and assembly of program materials; and
  • Coordinating logistics for weekly classes (speaker correspondence, materials, meals, and room set-up).
• Managing the communications and promotion of CPI, including activities such as: 
  • Developing and managing website content, social media, and a quarterly newsletter; 
  • Developing content for “Citizen Planners in Action” stories, a key feature of the CPI website, in collaboration with past participants; and 
  • Maintaining and updating content of the Citizens Toolkit and strengthening distribution of printed copies.
• Managing Advisory Board meeting logistics and preparation
• Managing the Alumni Committee and related activities with the goals of:
  • Building stronger networks between s graduates with similar interests and within the same planning districts; and
  • Strengthening continued engagement by graduates in order to contribute to the long-term success of the program. Examples include invitations to present at CPI classes, publicizing events organized by graduates and assisting with neighborhood tours.
• Assisting with development of new CPI programs and metrics

Education and Experience

• An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum three years of experience in one or more of the following: city planning, community development, community organizing, community outreach or advocacy work, or adult education.
• Coursework in city planning or related fields such as architecture, urban studies, public administration, and/or adult education- teaching and/or training;
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable.
• Must be able to work some evening and weekend hours, as required.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, civic, community and business groups and the general public
• Creative problem-solving
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Work independently, be flexible and self-directed
• Project coordination and management
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Comfort with social media and web updates (support provided), Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat

Additional Requirements

Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter including a brief description of how you perceive this position and the strengths you bring to it and a short (2-3 page) writing sample.

Salary Range: $59,410 -$64,920

What We Offer:

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• A wellness program that offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options

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

#LI-OHR