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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.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety strengthens the coordination of the Office of Violence Prevention, Office of Criminal Justice, Office of Reentry Partnerships, and Town Watch Integrated Services into a community-centric dynamic unit. The office is focused on uplifting solutions to reduce violence, enhance the bridge between neighborhoods and City government, as well as amplifies support for returning citizens and families impacted by the criminal justice system, developing and implementing reforms in an equitable fashion informed by the decades of systemic oppression, racism, and poverty.

Within the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the Office of Criminal Justice (OCJ) advances the Kenney administration’s goals of criminal justice reform by developing partnerships between City agencies, criminal justice partners, nonprofit organizations, and community members. OCJ serves as the mayor’s appointee to Philadelphia County’s Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) and is the point of contact for various local, state, and federal justice partners.

The Youth Racial Equity Strategist for the Office of Criminal Justice will coordinate the development and implementation of strategies aimed at reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) in Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system.  The Youth Racial Equity Strategist is tasked with providing leadership, subject-matter expertise, and support to the ongoing efforts to advance racial equity across the juvenile justice system. The Strategist will play a key role in ensuring that all aspects of the reform effort are conducted with a focus on equity. The Racial Equity Strategist will report to the Deputy Director of the Office of Criminal Justice.

Data from Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system tells a story of both promising progress in reducing the number of children involved in the system, and of persistent disparities in outcomes for youth of color, particularly black youth. While juvenile arrests rates have fallen by more than 80% in the last decade, the proportion of Black and Latino youth in system has increased. 

Philadelphia’s juvenile justice stakeholders have a long-standing commitment to racial equity and have implemented various equity strategies through the MacArthur Models for Change DMC Action Network, the Annie E Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, and the Georgetown Racial and Ethnic Disparities Certificate Program and statewide initiatives.  The Racial Equity Strategist will work closely with leadership across the juvenile justice system to support and accelerate existing equity work, and to promote the use of best practices throughout the system.

The Strategist will coordinate research efforts to unpack the drivers of disparities within the justice system, analyzes the impacts of reforms, and recommends strategic solutions. The Strategist serves as a liaison between the OCJ and citywide racial equity & reconciliation efforts to ensure alignment. The Strategist will represent the City in national forums and convenings related to racial equity and juvenile justice reform.

The Youth Racial Equity Strategist is tasked with providing leadership, subject-matter expertise, and support to the ongoing efforts to advance racial equity across the juvenile justice system. The Strategist will play a key role in ensuring that all aspects of the reform effort are conducted with a focus on equity. In addition, the Youth Racial Equity Strategist will develop a community engagement strategy to ensure there is a genuine feedback loop and community voice in the work and also to share the tools developed with community-based organizations. 

The Racial Equity Strategist will oversee the planning, implementation, and tracking of specific projects, as well as the continued development of a cohesive strategy. The Racial Equity Strategist is responsible for supporting the collaborative work of the Juvenile Assessment Center/Youth Arrest Reform Project, Philadelphia’s Georgetown R/ED Capstone Project Team, and the ongoing efforts of the individual juvenile justice partner agencies to change policies and practices that will address drivers of racial inequality.  The Racial Equity Strategist will be part of a statewide cohort of Racial Equity Coordinators and Specialists and will participate in statewide meetings of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Racial and Ethnic Disparities Subcommittee.

Essential Functions

To drive the racial equity work forward within the juvenile justice system, the Youth Racial Equity Strategist will be responsible for:

• Regular project management, implement the work and redesign and rethink, leadership, manage, effectuate research, some evaluation skills, experience managing researchers and authentic community engagement.
• Developing and managing the implementation of strategies to investigate and address racial and ethnic disparities, including a cross-system implicit bias training, Data Diagnostic, and initiative review series.
• Support meetings of the Youth Racial and Ethnic Disparity Workgroup.
• Managing qualitative and quantitative research and analysis around drivers of disparities and using that information to recommend strategic solutions.
• Translating data and research findings outcomes for non-research audiences; presenting findings in a way that ties research to actionable steps for practitioners.    
• In collaboration with other stakeholders, reviewing and assessing existing policies, procedures, programs, and services of the local juvenile justice system to identify opportunities to reduce barriers for different groups and promote racial equity at various decision points.
• Collaborating with agency and community stakeholders to develop policies, procedures, programs, and services that address the over-representation of youth of color in all stages of the juvenile justice system from arrest to disposition.
• Translating broader goals and strategies around reducing racial and ethnic disparities and promoting racial equity into concrete policy and practice changes.
• Leading conversations around racial equity for the Racial and Ethnic Disparities workgroup as well as other stakeholders in the juvenile justice system.
• Serving as a liaison between the OCJ and City-wide racial equity efforts and workgroups.
• Representing the City of Philadelphia on issues related to race and ethnicity and the juvenile justice system at external events and meetings.
• Providing Technical Assistance to community-based providers who are interested in incorporating a Racial Equity policies and practices to their work.
• Performing any additional duties as described by the Office of Criminal Justice related to the objective of reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of racial equity and structural racism in the juvenile justice system, including being comfortable and confident in speaking about these topics;
• Skill and experience in facilitating difficult conversations on topics of race, ethnicity, racial and ethnic disparities, and racial equity;
• Familiarity with current research and best practices related to advancing racial equity in government;
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of government and with external partner agencies to establish consensus;
• Passion for collaborating with community organizations, Philadelphia residents, and advocates to create systems change;
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions;
• Experienced in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
• Ability to translate data and research findings for practitioners, without jargon;
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills;
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills;
• Experience establishing and implementing racial equity initiatives within large organizations;
• Deep background knowledge about the history of race relations in Philadelphia preferred;
• Prior experience with the juvenile justice system preferred;
• Knowledge of social science research and investigation methodology, its application to a variety of problems, and the methods employed in the collection of data and presentation of results preferred;
• Knowledge of Tableau and data analyses software like R or SPSS preferred;

• Completion of an advanced degree at an accredited college or university in sociology, public policy, law, criminal justice, social work, public administration, or related field; or equivalent work experience; or relevant work or educational background and lived experience as a person directly impacted by the juvenile justice system.
• Five years of related working experience in a large jurisdiction preferred, including with community-based and advocacy groups.  
• Experience establishing and implementing diversity or racial equity initiatives preferred.
• Individuals with lived experience in the juvenile justice system are encouraged to apply.
• High-level managerial skills including problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution are also required.
• Experience with both digital and traditional communications.
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities across the city.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, delegate, and to create systems and processes.
• Ability to attend night and weekend events.
• Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills; clearly communicate information, listen well and ask relevant questions.
• Excellent judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the formulation and recommendation of policy/programmatic positions;
• Ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others;
• Temperament to communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful, pleasant, and professional manner;
• Knowledge of office computer applications.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Did you know?

• 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
• 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

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

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