Senior Project and Policy Coordinator, Sidewalk Program

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 Managing Director’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) is charged with driving change through impactful capital projects, innovative programs, and equity-focused policy initiatives. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, and the Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP), to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the needs of Philadelphia residents and visitors. 

Staff are passionate about expanding access to safe, equitable transportation across Philadelphia and are dedicated to making a positive impact through work on multimodal, complete streets and Vision Zero initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as Amtrak, the DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, and SEPTA. OTIS also partners with diverse neighborhood organizations and leaders, Business Improvement Districts, and Registered Community Organizations across the city. 

More information about the functions of OTIS can be found at: www.phila.gov/otis. 

Position Summary

The Senior Project and Policy Coordinator, Sidewalk Program will lead the coordination for the implementation of high-priority initiatives related to sidewalk policy. They will be responsible for formulating and facilitating a strategy to ensure safety, connectivity, and federal and state compliance of sidewalks in the City of Philadelphia. They will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the City’s efforts of high-priority initiatives related to sidewalk policy and coordinating with private, Federal, State, and regional entities.  This position is responsible for work that is part of the Philly Tree Plan.

The position is partially grant funded.

Essential Functions

Lead a sidewalk master plan. The Sidewalk Policy Coordinator would work with the cross departmental staff to develop a sidewalk policy plan that is consistent with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and PennDOT guidance, potentially including:

• Identify physical obstacles in the City of Philadelphia’s facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs/activities to people with disabilities.
• Describe methods that will be used to make facilities accessible
• Specify the resources and schedule for taking the steps necessary to upgrade pedestrian access to meet ADA and Section 504 requirements, including any additional staffing needs
• The plan may also take into account issues not directly related to ADA compliance, such as standards, policies, and process improvements to aid in short-term repairs to address trip hazards, new sidewalk construction, and sidewalk maintenance issues such as snow removal and maintenance plans for overhanging vegetation.

Establish sidewalk repair standards. The City’s current sidewalk standards are expressed in a range of documents, including the City’s Right of Way Improvement Standards, the Complete Streets Design Handbook, and through design detail standards available on the Streets Department’s website. These standards are effective for construction, but not repair. To address this gap, work across departments to develop standards that specify when sidewalk reconstruction is necessary vs. temporary fixes, as well as appropriate materials, and techniques that may be used for each. The standards should consider innovative ways to work around existing elements in the streetscape, like trees, utilities, etc.

Develop a strategy for funding sidewalk repair to create a reliable funding stream to support an ongoing sidewalk repair program, including potential grant sources and city revenue streams.

Citywide analysis: Lead a city-wide study to a) identify sidewalks that are impacted by trees, b) determine the costs and staffing needed to inspect and assess sidewalks impacted by trees, c) evaluate and certify contractors to perform the work, and d) identify potential sources of funding for this work.   

Support the City’s Infrastructure Solutions Team to grow wealth and resources for Black and Brown Philadelphians through job opportunities created through future sidewalk assessment and repair assessment, planning, design, and implementation.  

Leverage existing programs to support sidewalk repair by collaborating with other departments, such as the Housing Preservation Loan Program, roadway resurfacing, enforcement related to sidewalk parking, etc.

Collaborate with outside partners such as AARP, Feet First Philly, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the Clean Air Council, and disability groups.

Launch an education and outreach campaign to educate City staff, contractors, and the public about their sidewalk repair responsibilities and standards for repair.

Other duties as assigned, including oversight of consultant work and policy review.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Relationship-builder: Ability to work with a variety of people and personalities by building strong relationships.  Can build and maintain coalitions focused on shared goals.
• System Thinker: Knowledgeable about how government systems are interrelated and impact the day-to-day lives of Philadelphia residents. Has experience making change within a large institution like the City of Philadelphia.  Understands how many different factors can affect a project’s ultimate success.
• Organized: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, estimate timelines, rework a project approach based on unforeseen challenges, work well under pressure, and set/meet reasonable deadlines. 
• Action-oriented: Ability to see opportunities, navigate barriers, be self-directed, and problem-solve solutions that enhance the City’s deliverables, processes, and practices. 
• Excellent communicator: Ability to communicate articulately and convincingly across different formats - written, verbal, visual, etc. and for various audiences and cultivate effective communication among team members. 
• Progress-Oriented: Can set practical goals for large programs or initiatives. Ability to independently monitor progress and evaluate outcomes.
• Resilient: Ability to have a sense of humor, learn from mistakes, and return to work after experiencing a setback, delay, or course change.
• Curious: Ability to practice active listening, ask questions to get at the root of a problem, be open to receiving and giving constructive feedback, and have a sincere interest in learning new skills or growing old ones. 
• Commitment to equity: Strong commitment to racial equity and demonstrated ability to center the experiences of BIPOC individuals in work environment

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with major coursework in City Planning, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Sustainability, Engineering, Environmental Science or Law
• Four or more years’ work experience with a focus on urban planning, transportation planning/design, engineering, public policy, landscape/planting design, sustainability, or a related field
• Prior work experience managing complex projects or processes in bureaucratic or political environments
• Policy research and/or design standards experience relevant to ADA regulations

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or other post-secondary education in one of the fields noted above

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply and to provide additional explanation in the cover letter.

TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter as part of a complete application.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $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