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.

Agency Description

The mission of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. OHS works collaboratively with a broad-based network of public and private providers focused on utilizing practices that are informed by data, honor the different perspectives of all stakeholders, and are trauma-informed. OHS works to maximize resources while monitoring emerging trends, tracking progress, and shifting priorities as needed. 

OHS is seeking an experienced professional for a leadership position in the Housing Services Division at OHS.  The successful candidate will support the continued evolution of the Coordinated Entry System, known in Philadelphia as CEA-BHRS (Coordinated Entry and Assessment Based Housing Referral System), assess and enhance service delivery and connections throughout housing types, and support a system-wide housing problem-solving approach. 

Housing Services includes implementation and oversight of the following: Homelessness Prevention, Diversion and Intake; Emergency and Transitional Housing (more than 50 programs and 3000 beds); Rapid Re-housing (more than 750 units) ; Supportive Housing (more than 500 units for families and 2500 for households without children); Facilities; and Landlord Affairs.  Housing Services also includes the Supportive Housing Clearinghouse, as well as the PEACE Program (Partners Establishing Accessible & Affordable Housing: Caring for Frail Older Adults Empathetically), which helps frail and/or older adults navigate to affordable and accessible care.   Housing Services operationalizes HUD’s required Coordinated Entry System. 

The Assistant Deputy will oversee non housing units in the Housing Services Division, with 3 direct reports and a total of 20 staff, and service-only contracts held by OHS. 

Essential Functions

• Assess the extent to which participants in the various housing types are connected to supportive services, and the effectiveness of those services.  Formulate recommendations to improve the process of service connection and quality.  With relevant internal and external stakeholders, implement recommendations.   
• Enhance cross system collaboration, including with health care, child welfare, and corrections systems.  Work to create and implement messaging, policies, procedures, and strategies to reduce inflow into homelessness and to enhance service coordination.
• Support contracted providers to utilize strengths base housing focused case management to assist households in rapid exits from homelessness; provide guidance around the use of effective light tough and progressive engagement
• Actively work to identify and dismantle discriminatory policies and programs that create unnecessary barriers. Ensure that standardized assessment, screening, and eligibility determination is an unbiased as possible.
• Establish housing problem-solving techniques across the entire homeless service system.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to maximize housing opportunities for individuals and families most vulnerable and with the longest histories of homelessness.
• Focus on enhancing service delivery (primarily case management) through support of providers, service models and talking points, partnerships
• Leverage partnerships to supplement case management and housing stabilization staff
• Develop strategies to assess and analyze internal processes (EH, TH, RRH, PSH)
• Monitor trends in government activity in areas of programming

• Lead pilot programs based on nationwide evidenced-based housing models across the continuum
• Oversee OHS staff in units that provide service coordination or service navigation, including the PEACE Program and Coordinated Entry. 

Competencies

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent judgment
• Collaboration skills
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders
• Conflict mediation

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge basis in program development and management.
• Ability to digest and interpret requirements and regulations, and apply them to local conditions and circumstances.
• Commitment to reducing barriers to entry and participation in housing programs, including willingness to make change.
• Creativity and problem solving skills.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, etc.
• Must live inside of Philadelphia city limits or relocate within six (6) months of hire.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days.

The qualifications described below are minimum qualifications. All candidates must meet these minimum qualifications to be considered for the position.

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or similar field required.
• Twenty (20) recent years of experience and knowledge of Housing and Service programs for persons experiencing homelessness, with evidence of increasing responsibility over time.
• At least ten (10) recent years of expertise working with HUD regulations, e.g. Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grant, HOPWA, Public Housing, etc.
• At least five (5) years of experience overseeing programs serving homeless individuals or families, including creating and managing budgets, defining and implementing performance targets and scopes of service, and reporting results.
• At least five (5) recent years of extensive supervisory experience.
• At least three (3) years experience as a member of an agency or unit’s Leadership Team, including experience in agency, division or system wide collaboration.
• At least two (2) years of experience understanding cross-sector reporting and collaboration requirements related to, Federal, State, Local and other public/private funding entities.
• Demonstrated experience of utilizing trauma informed best practices and positive vulnerable sub-population development models that respect the dignity of the people  experiencing homelessness (i.e. - domestic violence, youth, families, LGBTQ, refugees and immigrant community, and/or other groups of people under-served by mainstream systems).
• Familiarity with the Homeless Management Information System.
• Lived experience preferred
• Bilingual preferred

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

Salary Range: $105,000-$110,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• 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
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023, eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

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

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

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