2J59
PAY RANGE: EP15
(General)
(Bilingual)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is community liaison and technical work assisting in the development, coordination, and management of departmental initiatives that utilize volunteer services programs and community groups. Employees in this class participate in recruiting, training and evaluating volunteers for a variety of departmental functions, or city programs and communicate the department’s vision and goals to volunteers. Employees perform work in the Parks and Recreation, Police Community Partnership, Department of Planning and Development, Water Environmental, Free Library or Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities assignments. Employees in the Parks and Recreation assignment perform stewardship capacity-building work with volunteer groups engaged in sustaining and restoring neighborhood parks, Fairmount Park and natural environmental areas within the city. Employees in the Police Community Partnership assignment perform community engagement work to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Employees in the Water Environmental assignment perform community liaison work explaining the impact and projections of various environmental initiatives on resident homes and neighborhoods. Employees in the Department of Planning and Development assignment monitor and coordinate housing programs in assigned neighborhood improvement areas, serving as a liaison for community participation in housing and community development programs. Employees in the Department of Planning and Development’s Division of Planning and Zoning Assignment conduct education, outreach, and engagement with communities around issues related to public art, planning, zoning, historic preservation, and development. Employees in the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities assignment coordinate, plan, direct and manage the activities and operations of the Faith and Spiritual Affairs Unit. All positions monitor the operation of volunteer or community programs to assure that volunteers and volunteer organizations or non-profit community groups are in compliance with departmental regulations and operational standards. All positions work closely with community groups, volunteer agencies, and individual volunteers to implement volunteer programs as a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. Employees in this class must perform community liaison and/or technical work assisting in the development, coordination and management of departmental initiatives that utilize volunteer services or community groups.
(General)
(Bilingual)
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
BOTH SPECIALTIES
ALL ASSIGNMENTS
Interviews interested volunteers to determine their aptitudes, abilities, experience, and other qualifications; orients volunteers and informs them of departmental rules and regulations; conducts tours of facilities for students and other volunteers; answers questions of volunteers on departmental operations.
Monitors volunteer performance to determine if they are providing the services for which they were selected; recommends to volunteers methods or procedures that will enhance the effectiveness of the volunteer program.
Prepares volunteer services newsletter; prepares and coordinates volunteer articles for publication describing the various departmental volunteer programs; coordinates volunteer recognition ceremony/program; selects nominees for volunteer awards or recognition program; coordinates and participates in special events.
Interacts with community groups and stakeholders to build capacity surrounding department initiatives and overall mission.
Maintains records of active and potential volunteers; prepares written reports on volunteer service projects or activities; maintains contact with various volunteer organizations.
Performs related work as required.
PARKS AND RECREATION ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties specifically related to sustaining, restoring and enhancing environmental areas with the City’s municipal system, including reclamation, re-planting, removal of invasive plants and trash through volunteer engagement activities.
Leads capacity building of community stewardship groups; participates in strategic planning and capital projects committees for department and community groups; collaborates with other city departments and community agencies to support stewardship work in parks; serves as liaison for the department to community and volunteer groups; establishes and manages relationships effectively with volunteers.
Provides input on selection of seasonal staff and volunteers; conducts orientation, trains, assigns and reviews work of volunteers; provides technical direction and instructions to volunteers and seasonal staff for parks projects.
Participates in the recruitment, evaluation, selection and training of volunteers for departmental volunteer programs; speaks to community groups and service organizations to inform them of departmental volunteer programs and to encourage them to provide services for these programs.
Plans and prepares sites for projects, conducts site condition assessments, determines and obtains needed materials; evaluates outcomes of volunteer activities based on departmental strategic plan and unit goals and objectives.
POLICE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ASSIGNMENT
Collaborates and partners with residents, business owners, community organizers and Philadelphia Police Department Community Relations Officers to develop and implement public safety outreach programs; participates in the organizing and execution of police-community engagement events.
Assists in development and implementation of district-specific community outreach plan strategies; collects and analyzes data to measure the success of community relations strategies and to identify areas of improvement.
WATER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSIGNMENT
Meets with neighborhood community members, civic organizations and departmental engineers and consultants regarding Green City projects; explains Green City initiatives projected for a community to the affected city residents and homeowners; uses visual references to explain the projected change for a neighborhood; attends community meetings for Green City Project initiatives;
Recruits Philadelphia homeowners to participate and agree to using new stormwater plans; meets with Philadelphia homeowners to explain stormwater plan costs, timeline for completion.
Participates in the recruitment, evaluation, selection and training of volunteers for departmental programs; speaks to community groups and service organizations to inform them of departmental volunteer programs and to encourage them to provide services for these programs.
Attends Stormwater Management Practices training; trains volunteers in the community on conducting stream assessments; uses Google maps or GIS mapping to identify properties near streams to determine eligibility for the Backyard Buffer Program.
FREE LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT
Performs the above duties specifically related to developing and promoting volunteer opportunities at the Central Library, neighborhood library branches and Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; matches volunteer skill sets and interests with library needs for services; organize and manage volunteer activities; perform community outreach.
Participates in the recruitment, evaluation, selection and training of volunteers for departmental programs; speaks to community groups and service organizations to inform them of departmental volunteer programs and to encourage them to provide services for these programs.
Coordinates and communicates with civic and community groups including Friends groups, community-based coalitions, library leadership, and managers to perform extensive and targeted outreach to support the Free Library of Philadelphia’s community engagement initiatives and mission.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENT
Coordinates with housing agencies, nonprofit intermediaries, social service agencies, and community representatives to exchange information and consult on programs and initiatives targeted to residents and specifically designed to respond to needs and issues identifies by residents; monitors housing programs in assigned neighborhood improvement areas; functions as a liaison with community groups and promotes citizen review and participation in the implementation and planning of housing programs; attends meetings with community groups or individual residents to communicate information pertaining to various housing programs;
Build capacity of Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) and other groups in promoting citizen review and participation in the planning and implementation of community programs; builds the capacity of community based organization to identify funding and resource opportunities that are in line with organizational and resident identified priorities; provide technical assistance to organizations to develop and implement issue specific campaigns/trainings for residents; assist groups with outreach and attend community meetings; communicates with neighborhood councils on project budgets, problem areas and priorities.
Responsible for all aspects of contract management and monitoring of specific civic and community organizations that have been awarded the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) Program contracts; provide technical assistance training to NACs; researches programs standards, reporting requirements and approval procedures; confers with residents to resolve problems; prepares reports and maintains records pertaining to program activities; meets with community representatives to interpret, advise and coordinate program goals; responds to inquiries and disseminates information regarding housing program standards and activities.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT's DIVISION OF PLANNING AND ZONING ASSIGNMENT
Provides education, outreach, and engagement services to community groups and members of the public around issues related to public art, planning, zoning, historic preservation, development, and other services provided by the division; coordinates within the Division of Planning and Zoning; assists planners and associated staff in the development of outreach materials to share issues posed by community members, and to assist in developing engagement strategies to involve community members in decision-making; conducts training sessions for community leaders and members of the public; responds to public inquiries and attend Registered Community Organization meetings.
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ASSIGNMENT
Plans, implements and coordinates the activities and operations of the Faith and Spiritual Affairs Unit; coordinates and creates training, community engagement plans, projects, events with faith based organizations and partners, conferences/workshops, and public engagements; collaborates with the faith community, community-based organizations, elected officials, department representatives and City officials to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated public engagement.
Develops partnerships with federal, City, and community organizations and communities of faith; generates detailed quarterly and annual reports; creates models, implements vision and mission for Faith and Spiritual Affairs initiatives; speaks at events, conferences and trainings; may direct work of interns.
BILINGUAL SPECIALITY
Performs duties described above in situations where giving information to and interviewing persons in a non-English speaking community is required; uses a designated non-English language to communicate with them.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the functions and techniques of volunteer work programs
· engaging community and service organizations, colleges and universities, and other sources of volunteer workers
· methods and techniques used in research, preparing newsletters and other public informational media
· volunteer selection, management and retention methods and practices
· principles and best practices of urban environmental management and conservation for the Parks and Recreation assignment
· Green City Projects initiatives for the Water Environmental assignment
· Stormwater Management Practices for the Water Environmental and Parks and Recreation assignments
· methods for conducting Visual Stream assessments for the Water environmental assignment
· principles, objectives and procedures of governmentally assisted community development and housing programs for the Department of Planning and Development assignment only
· budgeting proposals, lending practices and financing mechanisms for housing development programs for the Department of Planning and Development assignment only
· social issues related to public art and historic preservation for the Department of Planning and Development Division of Planning and Zoning Assignment
· monitoring budgets for volunteers or assigned programs or activities
· preparation methods to contribute to contracts if required by assignment
· federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations regarding departmental programs if required by work assignment
SKILL IN:
· speaking effectively before public groups
· training community volunteers or groups in the departmental initiatives pertaining to the area of assignment
· planning, implementing and managing volunteer or community projects and events
· using computer technology and applicable software to accomplish community engagement goals in the area of assignment
· developing projects to increase community engagement
· utilizing various communication channels to reach community
· documenting and conveying community concerns and feedback
ABILITY TO:
· learn departmental rules, regulations and operations
· work independently and in a group
· exercise sound judgement
· assess needs for volunteer services or community programs
· conduct interviews and recruit qualified volunteers
· collaborate and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and general public
· prepare volunteer articles and reports for publication
· maintain records of program participants and activities
· develop goals and utilize branding strategies to advance community engagement in departmental initiatives
· learn the community resources and the local volunteer civic and social organizations
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, departmental personnel, other city agencies, community groups, and the general public
think strategically and present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
·
· disseminate information about city programs and Green City and other environmental projects affecting neighborhoods for the Water Environmental and Parks and Recreation assignments
· assist community groups in preparing plans and proposals or for government assisted housing and community development programs for the Department of Planning and Development Division of Housing and Community Development assignment only.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 11/22.)
BOTH SPECIALTIES:
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
One-year of paid experience engaging community organizations in implementing a behavioral health program through community outreach initiatives.
OR
One year of paid experience implementing a volunteer services program or engaging community organizations and individuals in public programs and initiatives through community outreach.
OR
One year of volunteer services experience in sustaining and restoring environmental areas within a large municipal park system.
OR
One year of experience performing community liaison work that includes community meetings explaining environmental projects to city residents in affected Philadelphia neighborhoods.
OR
One year of experience for a municipal government housing development agency performing community liaison work to build capacity among community groups and monitor housing development contracts and programs.
Note: Additional experience may substitute for the education requirements on a year for year basis.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list in accordance with the certification rule prescribed by the Director and who possess the specified qualification.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALITY
Sufficient training and/or experience to converse effectively in the designated non-English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment, if required by work assignment.
Class Established - 11/83
Spec. Revised:
CSC – 1/13
Ad. Board – 2/13
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 1/15
Ad. Board – 2/15
Spec. Revision:
CSC-3/17
Ad. Board- 4/17
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 3/20
Ad. Board 4/20
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 6/20
Ad. Board 7/20
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 1/22
Ad. Board – 2/22
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 11/22
Ad. Board – 11/22
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 8/24
Ad. Board – 9/24
CP