Deputy Director of Wellness Court

  • Full-time
  • Minimum Education Required: College degree

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.

Agency Description

 The Office of Public Safety (OPS) was launched in 2024 to make communities safer, improve public perceptions of safety, and help communities heal from the traumas of violence. In pursuit of those goals, OPS coordinates multi-disciplinary public safety efforts across City government and with community and institutional stakeholders. Currently, OPS has over 100 staff and is home to six (6) individual divisions: Division of Criminal Justice, Division of Safe Neighborhoods, Division of Reentry, Division of the Victim Advocate, Overdose Response Unit, and Town Watch Integrated Services.

The Division of Safe Neighborhoods (DSN) implements strategies and initiatives to prevent, reduce, and end violence in Philadelphia. DSN is particularly focused on addressing gun violence.

The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) advances the Parker’s Administration’s goals of public safety and community well-being through collaborative and data-driven initiatives in Philadelphia’s criminal and juvenile justice systems.

Town Watch Integrated Services (TWIS) is a volunteer focused safety effort. Residents of the community who wish to volunteer for their community will receive assistance from Town Watch Integrated Services.

The Division of Reentry (DOR) was formed in August 2019 to elevate and organize citywide reentry efforts and support the Parker Administration’s goal for criminal justice reform, violence prevention, and community reinvestment.

The Overdose Response Unit (ORU) is committed to saving lives and rejuvenating communities that have been most affected by the opioid crisis. This unit works across City departments and within city neighborhoods to lead the citywide opioid response strategies, target interventions where opioid overdoses happen most, and align City resources and share expertise across departments.

The Division of the Victim Advocate (DVA) was opened in February 2022 to provide coordination, strategic planning, and service provision for the oversight for victims, co-victims, and survivors of crime, with a special emphasis on gun violence and homicide.

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. All employees report in-office five (5) days per week.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Wellness Court Deputy Director will be responsible for the successful implementation of the Neighborhood Wellness Court, a diversion program designed to increase rapid access to treatment and other supports for people with substance use disorders. The Deputy works closely with the Program Director and program partners to coordinate team functions, recruit and retain staff, monitor staff capacity, improve program design and implementation, and assist with high-level partnerships to maximize positive outcomes for program participants.

Essential Functions

  • Coordinates across interdisciplinary program teams and associated partners to deliver high-quality program services including the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, Philadelphia Police Department, the First Judicial District, and other partners; identify services gaps and foster partnerships and referral networks to support program participants.
  • Supports the Director in refining the pilot program and ensuring the success of program expansion.
  • Helps oversee day-to-day operations of the Neighborhood Wellness Court pilot program, manage staff and contracts, ensure continuity of care, track and resolve operational challenges.
  • Collaborates with stakeholders to reduce systemic barriers to program participation and success, including local, state, and federal entities
  • Develops, refines, and codifies policies, processes, and procedures that streamline program operations; evaluate processes and procedures regularly for process improvement and safety standards
  • Supports data collection and quality improvement measures, monitor outputs and outcomes, establish and oversee evaluations with outside researchers, and communicate program results in a timely manner

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of program design and operations, staff management, performance measures, process improvement, and resource planning
  • Skills in synthesizing information, clearly communicating complex information, and navigating high-level stakeholder engagement
  • General knowledge of the local criminal justice system, including charging, warrants, court proceedings, probation and parole, and diversionary programs
  • General knowledge of the local behavioral health system, including best practices regarding substance use treatment and withdrawal management
  • Strong reading, writing, and analytical skills
  • Excellent attention to detail

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required, Master’s degree or other advanced degree in a related field preferred
  • 7+ years of experience working in project or program management, operations, criminal justice and/or behavioral health preferred as it relates to implementing and scaling programs across multiple partners and entities, leading teams of direct service staff with diverse professional and personal backgrounds, or working with individuals with substance use disorder and/or other complex mental and behavioral health needs.
  • Bi-lingual Spanish preferred but not required

Additional Information

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

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