Government and Community Affairs Liaison and Special Initiatives Coordinator

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

4h • $70,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of Philadelphia a plus.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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