Deputy Director of Community Wellness and Recovery - City of Philadelphia

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 (MDO) is a cabinet-level office with oversight of the City’s operating departments. The MDO works with these departments to:

• Create and successfully enact new policies.
• Deliver efficient, effective, and responsive public services.
• Implement the mayor’s vision.

The MDO oversees the following divisions:

• Capital Program Office
• Community Services
• Community Safety
• General Services
• Health and Human Services
• Office of Children and Families
• Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems 

Position Summary

The Deputy Director of Community Wellness and Recovery (Deputy Director) will be the primary staffer for the Executive Director of Community Wellness and Recovery (Executive Director). The Executive Director is the face of Mayor Parker’s initiative to address the twin problems of homelessness and opioid crisis and provide leadership in developing, planning, and organizing programs focused on wellness and recovery. The initiative involves a $100M capital funding infusion (FY25 capital budget year) to spur development of a wellness campus to provide continued housing and supports for individuals working on recovery and sobriety.

The Deputy Director will assist the Executive Director with all oversight and operations at Philly Home at Girard, opened in May 2024, which provides safe haven and recovery-oriented housing to approximately 180 individuals (with room to expand), and with identifying additional opportunities for residential programming as well as push-in and outpatient services for existing and new sites. It is anticipated that wellness opportunities will expand beyond the two current sites.

The Deputy Director reports directly to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions

• Assist Executive Director with coordinating City departments (including but not limited to Office of Homeless Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, MDO-Health and Human Services, Public Property, Licenses and Inspections, Law Department, Capital Program Office), Office of Public Safety, Philadelphia Police Department to execute strategy around expanded wellness activities (with a specific focus on homelessness and opioid use disorder)
• Research and keep current with best practices or emerging interventions related to homelessness, housing, opioid use disorder, workforce development, and community re-entry following incarceration.
• Maintain current knowledge on public safety and criminal interventions related to opioid use and drug trade
• Understand and build knowledge base on range of opioid substances in addition to emerging trends within opioid use and supply
• Assist with preparation of responses to City Council inquiries and concerns; assist with community communications and receive/respond to community concerns
• Prepare presentations, white papers, communication briefs related to work and initiatives the Office is planning or implementing
• Develop and scope out potential new opportunities (both service providers, property or land opportunities, etc.)
• Assist Executive Director with leading and managing various service providers, including identifying on revenue opportunities or seeking relevant licensing.
• Seek or establish additional funding and revenue opportunities to augment existing funding streams (general fund, capital fund, opioid settlement funding)
• Collaborate on iterative planning processes to ensure wellness activities and programming meet and respond to rapidly changing environment
• As this is a new position, additional duties or scope may be added. The Deputy Director will oversee junior staff and/or interns.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of outpatient and push-in services for vulnerable populations, including program design and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of residential and recovery-oriented housing models, including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and mental health services.
• Familiarity with local housing policies and best practices in supportive housing and recovery services, particularly in the context of city and state regulations.
• Knowledge of community partnership development, especially with organizations focused on housing, healthcare, and wellness services for underserved populations.
• Awareness of mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness issues, particularly in urban settings.
• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and the ability to integrate cultural humility into service provision.

Skills:

• Leadership skills with a proven ability to manage and guide staff in delivering high-quality services to vulnerable populations.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple programs and initiatives, ensuring timely execution and adherence to strategic goals.
• Organizational skills with excellent attention to detail, ensuring compliance with policies, budget management, and efficient use of resources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reporting, data management, and communication.
• Interpersonal skills that enable collaboration across diverse teams and city departments, fostering productive partnerships.
• Communication skills—both verbal and written—to effectively articulate ideas, provide clear directives, and engage with stakeholders at various levels.
• Time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment, balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.

Abilities:

• Ability to lead in high-pressure environments, managing a wide range of contacts and stakeholders, while maintaining an executive presence.
• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions, while also collaborating effectively within a team-oriented setting.
• Capability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, ensuring efficient execution and delivery on key organizational objectives.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs and shifting priorities within the organization, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges.
• Ability to build community partnerships and foster collaborative efforts aimed at expanding wellness services and housing programs across multiple sites.
• Cultural humility and the ability to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and respect in all interactions.
• Strong ability to support senior leadership in executive settings, executing high-profile initiatives while maintaining alignment with organizational vision.

Completion of a Bachelors' degree in social work, public health, public administration, human services, psychology, or a related field.

At least five to seven years of experience in housing, mental health services, social services, or recovery-oriented programs in a leadership or management capacity which has included budget and staff oversight and program development.

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.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume and references.

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 6 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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx