Broadband and Smart Cities Project Manager

  • Full-time

Company Description

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.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
 

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees all major information and communications technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia - increasing the effectiveness of the information technology infrastructure, where the services provided are advanced, optimized, and responsive to the needs of the City of Philadelphia’s businesses, residents, and visitors. OIT responsibilities include: identifying the most effective approach for implementing new information technology directions throughout city government; improving the value of the city’s technology assets and the return on the city’s technology investments; ensuring data security continuity; planning for continuing operations in the event of disruption of information technology or communications services; and supporting accountable, efficient and effective government across every city department, board, commission and agency.

Job Description

This position will support the Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) and the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) on infrastructure-centric smart city and digital equity efforts. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021 focuses much attention on infrastructure for which broadband connectivity plays a primary or supporting role. This position will be responsible for managing the implementation of broadband-related infrastructure projects, including those funded by BIL dollars and those funded from another source. 
As the Broadband and Smart Cities Project Manager, you will join a team responsible for enacting the City's SmartCityPHL and DigitalEquityPHL roadmaps and ensuring our guiding principles - locally inspired, innovative, equitable, and collaborative - inform the work moving forward. You will work closely with the Innovation team at the Office of Innovation & Technology and report to the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Public Technology and Innovation. 
The Broadband and Smart Cities Project Manager will play a supporting role and, at times, a leading role in initiatives within the SmartCityPHL and DigitalEquityPHL portfolios. The position will work collaboratively with other team members and departments to plan and implement cutting-edge technology projects that align with the City’s infrastructure priorities for broadband connectivity. The work will allow the Project Manager to make a lasting impact across the City and help those most in need. It will also offer the Project Manager an opportunity to gain operational and strategic planning experience as the City purposefully uses infrastructure to improve the quality of life for all residents. 
The Broadband and Smart Cities Project Manager will help support the planning and possible implementation of several initiatives that may include the following:
1)    Supporting or facilitating efforts to build out fiber connectivity and public wi-fi at Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation facilities to enable high-speed internet access
2)    Piloting a program to address illegal trash dumping using cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) software.
3)    Facilitating the creative use of public assets to enhance local broadband connectivity, smart city initiatives, or generate revenue for the city to support digital equity and smart city programs.
4)    Expanding Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at public facilities with the accompanying consideration of enhancing the provision of broadband connectivity
 

Essential Functions

As the Broadband and Smart Cities Project Manager, you will be responsible for: 

•    Directing all project management aspects of planning, implementation, and evaluation of assigned projects from procurement to tracking metrics, including supporting potential scale-up
•    Supporting strategy development around broadband and network connectivity for SmartCityPHL and DigitalEquityPHL  
•    Liaising with OTIS and other departments on efforts involving broadband and other smart city infrastructure  
•    Collaborating with the Smart City Director, the Digital Inclusion Manager, and the Deputy CIO for Public Technology and Innovation to ensure project direction aligns with the City’s infrastructure strategy and principles
•    Monitoring procurement, contract negotiation, and budgets for all assigned projects
•    Writing and/or coordinating grant applications related to broadband and related infrastructure 

Competencies

•    Self-direction - you can prioritize your work and allocate time and resources effectively when given broad responsibility
•     Collaboration - you interact well with others, can work with the team to make decisions, and believe that multiple perspectives strengthen a program
•     Process orientation - your attention to detail and process allows you to turn a concept into a working model
•     Clarity of communication – you speak and write clearly, and can help others understand contextual information
•     Flexibility - you adapt quickly to setbacks and recognize that innovation does not always proceed as expected 

Qualifications

•    Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required in engineering or urban planning or related fields; graduate degree preferred
•    Experience managing public-facing technology initiatives 
•    Experience/knowledge of broadband networks and infrastructure
•    Basic experience/knowledge of institutional procurement, contracting, and budgeting
•    Basic experience/knowledge of building construction techniques and on-site operations
•    A basic understanding of GIS and data analysis preferred
•    Experience/knowledge with the idea lifecycle process – sourcing, refining, implementing and evaluating potential problem solutions   

Additional Information

Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Please provide a resume and include a cover letter

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