Associate Youth Ombudsperson

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

12d • $72,000 - $82,000

About The Position

Position Summary The Office of the Ombudsperson Associate Ombudsperson shall serve under the direction of the Ombudsperson. We are looking for someone who is compassionate, inquisitive, and fair-minded with a demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality. The City seeks a candidate who is energized by the importance of the work and the opportunity to leverage resources and relationships in furtherance of protecting vulnerable youth. The position will collaborate with youth groups, law enforcement, community members, investigators, data scientists and other stakeholders in an environment where objectivity and diligence are critical to credibility and overall effectiveness.

Requirements

• An advanced degree and experience in the field of social work, law, policy, public administration, data science, auditing, or investigations.
• At least 5 years of experience working directly with youth or in service of young people who have been placed in the child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health systems.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of congregate care and the child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health system
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and utilize a centralized database.
• High level skills in interpreting legislation and policies.
• Substantial experience in the presentation of complex documents and reports
• Ability to travel some evenings and weekends.
• Valid PA Drivers License required.
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Responsibilities

• Engaging & Educating Assist with monitoring and responding to queries and complaints that come through the OYO’s email account, website complaint form, phone number/hotline, walk-ins, etc.
• Visiting and inspecting sites to evaluate service quality and youth wellbeing.
• Developing and delivering informative materials and educational programs for youth in residential placements, family members, advocates, and other stakeholders.
• Developing and maintaining an independent avenue to receive complaints and grievances.
• Conducting or leading interviews of facility personnel, City employees, youth, and others.
• Supporting best practices research and secondary research, theory, and practice relevant to youth residential placements.
• Monitoring & Data Collection Analyzing short and long-term data to identify issues that may be affecting quality of service and may require corrective action.
• Monitoring and evaluating City agency action in response to complaints, grievances, or incidents.
• Receiving, documenting, and resolving complaints using a variety of conflict resolution strategies.
• Monitoring system performance, analyzing data and preparing written reports.
• Conducting administrative investigations and evaluation of services.
• Communicating Results Assist with drafting written reports and recommendations to City agencies and officials to address complaints, adjust policy or procedure and otherwise improve the residential placement process.
• Assist with annual reporting on the work of the OYO.
• Assist with publishing data and informational resources to guide youth, family members and policymakers.
• Conduct community outreach and appearing in public forums to present the OYO’s work and encourage community and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with the creation and dissemination of fliers, brochures, and other written materials needed to promote the OYO.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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
• As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• 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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees