Participatory Budgeting Project Coordinator

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 Office of Director of Finance was created by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, adopted by the electors of the City on April 17, 1951, to give the Mayor and the City government a principal officer responsible for the financial, accounting, and budgeting functions of the executive branch. The Director of Finance is thus the chief financial officer of the City and all powers and duties concerning finances, accounting, and budgeting in the executive branch are directly or indirectly the Director's. The Director of Finance is also the Chairman of the Board of Pensions and Retirements and an ex-officio member of the board of various quasi-governmental agencies, including the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. The City of Philadelphia operates on a fiscal year between July 1st and June 30th.

The Budget Office prepares and monitors the annual operating and capital budgets for the City of Philadelphia. The Budget is comprised of three divisions: Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Analysis and Communications. The Capital Budget Division is responsible for the preparation of the annual Capital Budget and six-year Capital Program as well as the day to day fiscal management of the Capital budget.  The Capital Budget represents the long-term financial investments in municipal assets such as police and fire stations, libraries, recreation centers, and parks. 

The City of Philadelphia has launched a landmark process known as Participatory Budgeting (PB), which will – for the first time — allow for direct community involvement in City spending decisions. This is part of a larger effort for the upcoming Operating and Capital budgets to increase racial equity in the process and decisions about city revenues and spending. Led by the City’s Budget Office in partnership with the City Planning Commission, Participatory Budgeting will allow the public to directly suggest and select projects to receive funding ($1 million this year for capital projects). The City plans to call for spending ideas from the public in the early spring, with the final vote happening in June 2021, around the same time that City Council will vote on the FY22 budget. To support this work, the City’s Budget Office is looking for an individual to provide project coordination for this initiative as Philadelphians generate ideas for infrastructure investments and vote directly on how to spend $1 million dollars on capital projects.

Essential Functions

• Support City of Philadelphia PB initiative
• Coordinate scheduling and facilitate sharing of information between established teams & community organizations helping with engagement for PB initiative and other engagement activities in the Budget Office (i.e., steering committee, budget delegates, facilitators, etc.).
• Help develop and deploy messaging and designing concepts for engagement in the community.
  • May include drafting and posting social media
• Track and follow up on required tasks needed for launching PB.
• Staff community engagement events (online for the time being).
• Assist with logistics for community engagement.

Education and Experience

• Associate (two year) college degree.
• Two or more years of related experience working with community organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and local government, ideally in the Philadelphia metro area.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The individual must be community-oriented and committed to creating an equitable Philadelphia to fill the role of Participatory Budgeting (PB) Project Coordinator. This position is responsible for working with Participatory Budgeting staff from the Budget Office and supporting departmental engagement activities. The successful candidates will focus on a variety of tasks that are a combination of engagement logistics support and community-oriented. Interns will receive oversight from Budget Office professionals.

Pay Range: $20/hr 

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Applications without all required 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

#LI-OHR