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 Office of Sustainability (OOS) works with partners around the city to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods. We work to advance environmental justice, progress Philadelphia’s climate and energy goals, and prepare the city for a hotter and wetter future. OOS is made up of four divisions that carry out our programs, policies, and strategies: climate resilience, energy and climate solutions, environmental justice, and policy and strategic initiatives.

The Environmental Justice Division advances environmental justice (EJ) through education, policy, and directly resourcing frontline and fenceline communities through the Community Resilience and Environmental Justice Fund. We also support the resident-led Philadelphia Environmental Justice Advisory Commission (PEJAC).

OOS defines EJ as the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, righting of past harmful environmental policies and practices, and the meaningful involvement in decision-making, particularly for those most impacted and that have been historically marginalized. We envision an environmentally just city where race, socioeconomic status, and ZIP code no longer predict residents’ health or exposure to hazards.

Position Summary

The Environmental Justice Specialist will lead the EJ Division’s efforts to quantitatively and qualitatively assess, track and communicate conditions of environmental injustice in Philadelphia. They will also support policy research and advise on the implementation of innovative initiatives to advance environmental justice.

This is a full-time position that reports to the Deputy Director for Environmental Justice. 

Essential Functions

Data Analysis and Communication

• Oversee the development and continued maintenance of an EJ mapping tool that identifies locations within the city that experience disproportionate exposure to environmental harm and inequitable access to environmental benefits
• Shape and conduct approaches for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data, including methods for creating new data when there is limited or no data
• Compose reports and briefing documents that interpret technical information and data into actionable direction. Communicate data analysis so that information and findings are accessible to a non-technical audience
• Track best practices and emerging guidance around understanding cumulative impacts and their quantitative assessment

Policy and Program Research

• Conduct case study research on municipal-level EJ initiatives nationally and internationally
• Investigate opportunities to support the development of innovative business, nonprofit and community-led solutions to advance EJ  

Cross-Agency Coordination

• Develop and manage partnerships and collaborations with data providers and stakeholders inside and outside of City government.
• Assist with efforts to secure sources of funding for initiatives related to EJ often in collaboration with other Divisions, Departments, and/or external organizations
• Participate in interdepartmental collaborative planning and policymaking spaces to provide EJ perspective and expertise
• Attend quarterly meetings and assist with agenda development for the interdepartmental EJ and Climate Resilience Committee.

Other Duties

• Assist with procurement and oversight of contracted consultants as required
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned; the focus of activities may change depending on the needs of the Division.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Environmental Justice Expertise – A deep understanding of issues relating to climate change and resilience, public health, environmental hazards, and resource distribution and their points of intersection with social justice and civil rights concerns; Familiarity with targeted policy and program interventions that address the environmental health hazards that disproportionately burden lower-wealth and communities of color.
• Detail Oriented – Attentive to details, deadline-oriented and employ exceptional quality control for work products.
• Research and Data Analysis - Well-versed in sifting through a vast array of informational and data resources, maintaining clear documentation, and producing products that harvest meaningful insights.
• Communication - Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information into accessible forms and adapt styles to diverse audiences and different cultural environments.
• Relationship Management - Relate well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences; Demonstrated experience (professional or non-professional) building and maintaining relationships with low-wealth and community of color communities and executing projects involving multiple constituencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five (5) years of relevant full-time professional experience in environmental justice or a related field (e.g., environmental policy, public policy, urban planning, public health). A master’s degree may substitute for two years of required experience.
• Expertise with spatial analysis and Esri ArcGIS software. Experience tracking and communicating key performance indicators.
• Strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other common software applications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with one or more of the following:
  • lifecycle assessments or health impact assessments
  • circular economies
  • indoor air quality issues and strategies/best practices related to source control, ventilation and filtration
• Advanced-level MS Excel skills, including the use of macros, pivot tables, and other advanced functions.
• At least two (2) years of experience working in or with local, state or federal governments
• Familiarity with Philadelphia including current or prior residence

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

Salary Range: $75,000 – $90,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 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.
• 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