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

In June 2021, Mayor Kenney signed legislation to authorize the Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) to become a new, independent agency responsible for conducting oversight of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD). The legislation allowed for the former oversight agency for the Philadelphia Police Department, the Police Advisory Commission (PAC), to transition into CPOC.  

Civilian oversight of police can take many forms. Review-focused models allow civilians outside of a police department to review police misconduct investigations once they are completed. Investigation-focused agencies employ professionally trained investigators to investigate police misconduct complaints. Auditor/monitor-focused agencies engage in policy and trend analysis and promote broad organizational change within the police departments they oversee. CPOC is uniquely envisioned to be a hybrid of these three models of oversight, with expansive authority and a broad mission.  

Although civilian oversight of the Philadelphia Police Department has existed in some form for many years, the new CPOC will bring an unprecedented level of oversight to police operations. This will be a vast undertaking - the PPD is the fourth largest police department in the country, with over 6300 sworn members and 800 civilian personnel and a budget over $700 million.  

The authorizing legislation for CPOC comprehensively lists the oversight functions that CPOC will fulfill. The legislation notes that CPOC may conduct investigations, data analysis, and audits related to any pattern, policy, or practice of the police department. These investigations shall include, but are not limited to, misconduct, policy, training, practice, and customs. Additional functions include investigations of complaints made by residents or PPD personnel about any misconduct ranging from verbal abuse to sexual misconduct, critical incident reviews and investigations, large-scale data reviews, disciplinary recommendations, hosting public meetings and hearings to share information with the public, participation as adjudicators in PPD discipline hearings, administrative prosecution of discipline cases, reporting on data and statistics, and reviewing and investigating all police uses of force, among other functions.  

CPOC will approach police accountability from many different angles, and as such, CPOC will have a variety of units to focus on different aspects of police oversight. Each unit will require specialized staff with a deep understanding of policing and community-police relations. CPOC will be composed of staff dedicated to professional, unbiased, and thoughtful oversight of the Philadelphia Police Department. 

For more information on the future operations of the CPOC, see the signed legislation here: https://phila.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=9467893&GUID=C6A211CE-2B2B-4E88-9228-0FE869592D03 

Work-Life 

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week.  Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired. 

New hires will be required to work in-office full time for their first 90 days. 

Position Summary 

Government and Community Affairs Liaison and Special Initiatives Coordinator will work to build and maintain relationships with government offices, legal community organizations, and advocacy groups that align with the organization’s goals. They will track and monitor relevant legislation, regulatory changes, and policy developments. This position will collaborate with internal divisions to develop strategies for initiatives and provide recommendations for improvements. Government and Community Affairs Liaison and Special Initiatives Coordinator reports to the Executive Director. 

Essential Functions 

Building and Maintaining Relationships: 

• Develop and sustain regular communication with strategic partners including government officials, legal communities, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders that align with the organization’s mission and objectives. 

• Serve as a liaison to government agencies, legal entities, and advocacy groups, advocating for the organization’s needs and interests, ensuring strong collaboration and alignment on shared goals and initiatives. 

• Report on community engagement initiatives to identify advocacy priorities that advance transparency and trust in police oversight. 

Tracking and Monitoring Legislation and Policy: 

• Monitor emerging trends and developments in police reform and oversight at the local, state and federal level to provide proactive policy recommendations. 

• Track policy developments and analyze how these changes affect the organization’s operations, goals, and community initiatives. 

• Prepare and distribute periodic reports or briefings regarding these updates. 

• Collaborate with agency leadership to develop strategies to advocate for the agency’s objectives in relevant public hearings, advocacy events, and community meetings. 

Providing Recommendations and Solutions: 

• Provide recommendations for organizational strategies based on legislative and policy changes. 

• Offer insights on how to navigate political environments to benefit the interests of the organization’s mission and objectives. 

• Advise on best practices for community engagement, advocacy, and relationship management based on current political and social climates. 

Coordinating Special Initiatives: 

• Oversee the planning and management of special initiatives that are aligned with the organization’s goals. 

• Track the progress of these initiatives, ensuring their success and compliance. 

• Coordinate with staff to ensure initiatives are completed effectively and on time. 

• Develop a workflow & protest/special event monitoring. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

Knowledge of: 

• The techniques, principles, and methods for conducting investigations of alleged misconduct. 

• Policies, procedures, and practices of the Philadelphia Police Department. 

• CPOC’s role in overseeing the Philadelphia Police Department.  

• The laws and legal doctrines relevant to police activity, including but not limited to uses of force, searches and seizures, and proceedings in criminal court.  

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills with the ability to conduct comprehensive interviews and ask probing questions. 

• Strong analytical writing skills and editing skills. Must be able to distill complex information.  

• Deep understanding of, and experience with, the complex nature of community-police relations.  

• Deep understanding of, and experience with, legislative and political bodies in Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. 

• Ability to independently manage different perspectives and personalities.  

• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once.  

• Demonstrated ability to perform neutral and objective analyses of incidents, policies, and information. 

• Experience and fluency in MS Office software programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in criminal justice or other relevant field required, or any combination of education and experience deemed appropriate by the appointing authority.  

• Law degree or other graduate level degree preferred. Strong consideration will also be given to candidates who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program. 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in policy and legislation, experience within civilian police oversight and/or criminal justice system strongly preferred. 

• Experience interacting and communicating effectively with persons of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and with persons from all sectors of the criminal legal system, including hostile and reluctant witnesses, complaining witnesses, expert witnesses, law enforcement officials, and families of victims of crime. 

• Experience working with sensitive and confidential information.  

• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of Philadelphia a plus. 

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, references and brief writing sample to be considered.

Salary Range: $72,000- $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