Illegal Dumping Ambassador

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

14h

About The Position

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) seeks four (4) passionate and community-oriented individuals to serve as Illegal Dumping Park Ambassadors as part of a citywide initiative to reduce illegal dumping in public parks. This grant-funded position is a key component of an innovative, interdisciplinary program focused on prevention, enforcement, education, and community engagement in four priority park sites: Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, and Mifflin Square Park . Illegal dumping is a persistent issue in many Philadelphia parks, particularly in communities that are historically underserved. This program aims to cut illegal dumping at target sites by 50% over two years by pairing rapid response and data-informed interventions with deep, sustained community partnerships. Park Ambassadors will be the trusted, visible presence in their assigned park area—leading outreach efforts, hosting quarterly engagement events with community groups, monitoring environmental conditions, and supporting enforcement through public education and coordination with other PPR teams. Park Ambassadors will work in close collaboration with local environmental organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), Park Friends Groups, Recreation Outreach Workers, Environmental Education ce4nters, Advisory Councils, and other relevant stakeholders to support a culture shift in how residents view, value, and steward their parks. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer activities, organizing community meetings, distributing educational toolkits, and reporting dumping activity. Ambassadors will also receive training in conflict resolution and engagement strategies, equipping them to build meaningful relationships with residents and activate long-term change. To support the program’s community-driven approach, applicants with lived experience in or strong connections to the neighborhoods surrounding the four priority parks are especially encouraged to apply . This may include familiarity with local organizations, experience working in or near these park spaces, or a personal investment in the well-being of these communities. PPR values the insight, trust, and relationships that locally rooted individuals bring to the role. This role is an exciting opportunity for leaders who are passionate about environmental justice, urban greening, and public service to help shape a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming future for Philadelphia’s parks and the people who use them. Evening and weekend hours will be required.

Requirements

• Must be a Philadelphia resident.
• Valid PA Driver’s License (Must be able to travel city-wide to program sites).
• Familiarity with the city of Philadelphia and its neighborhoods.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least two (2) years of relevant work or volunteer experience in community engagement, environmental stewardship, waste management, enforcement, urban planning, or a related field.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends regularly for community events or cleanups.
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and participate in physical activities such as walking, lifting, and site inspections.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and community empowerment in environmental work.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, urban planning, public policy, public health, criminal justice, communications, or a related field – or equivalent work experience.
• Lived or professional experience in or near one of the focus areas: Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, or Mifflin Square Park .
• Familiarity with illegal dumping issues and/or City enforcement processes.
• Experience facilitating or supporting community groups, public meetings, or neighborhood cleanups.
• Ability to track data and use basic tools like Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, or mobile data collection apps.
• Multilingual skills, particularly in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic , or Russian are a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Park Presence & Community Engagement Serve as a consistent and welcoming presence in one of the four focus parks: Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, or Mifflin Square Park , with a preference for candidates who live nearby or have existing ties to the community.
• Organize and execute community-based activities that promote public awareness and participation in illegal dumping prevention efforts.
• Coordinate and host regular community events, including cleanups, educational workshops, resource giveaways, and tabling at neighborhood gatherings or City sponsored events.
• Distribute educational toolkits and resources to residents, businesses, and park users.
• Stakeholder & Community Leadership Facilitate stakeholder engagement activities to foster collaboration and information sharing among partners.
• Support the facilitation and development of community leadership groups to build local capacity for preventing illegal dumping.
• Collaborate with local partners including Park Friends Groups, Recreation Outreach Workers, environmental justice organizations, Environmental Education Centers, Advisory Councils, and community-based groups to promote neighborhood-led solutions.
• Monitoring, Enforcement & Cleanup Monitor environmental conditions and illegal dumping activity in assigned parks, including litter patterns, dumping hotspots, and damaged infrastructure.
• Collaborate with City enforcement teams to coordinate anti-dumping enforcement efforts, including issuing violations and fines in accordance with City procedures and policies.
• Assist with monitoring and managing the illegal dumping camera network to support effective surveillance and response.
• Support litter and dumping cleanup efforts, including occasional hands-on participation alongside volunteers and City crews.
• Identify potential dumping interventions and coordinate with PPR Operations teams and contractors to implement them.
• Data, Reporting & Evaluation Track and document illegal dumping occurrences and community interventions using provided data tools.
• Aid in compiling monthly and quarterly reports summarizing initiative progress, challenges, and successes.
• Contribute to evaluation activities to assess the impact and effectiveness of interventions and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Community Capacity Building Directly support initiatives that strengthen community capacity for long-term, place-based illegal dumping reduction and public space stewardship.
• Serve as a liaison between community members and the City, elevating local concerns and encouraging positive, community-driven behavior change.
• Teamwork & Flexibility Attend regular team meetings and trainings in areas such as trauma-informed care, conflict de-escalation, and environmental justice.
• Maintain detailed records of outreach, enforcement, and community feedback.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the broader goals of the initiative.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED