Executive Director-Prison's Oversight Board

Company Description

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 Office of Prison Oversight is a newly established agency within the City of Philadelphia, created to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) within the Office of the Inspector General. 

The Office is charged with promoting the safety, health, and well-being of incarcerated individuals through independent oversight, policy review, investigations, and public reporting. Working in close partnership with the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board, the Office will conduct inspections, access prison records and data, engage directly with staff and incarcerated individuals, and provide recommendations to improve conditions and operations within Philadelphia’s correctional system. 

Job Description

Position Summary 

The Executive Director is responsible for building and leading the newly established Philadelphia Office of Prison Oversight. This role develops policy and practice, sets vision in consultation with the Prison Oversight Board, and leads oversight of the City’s four correctional facilities. 

The Executive Director will direct independent reviews of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, respond to sentinel events (including deaths in custody), and issue public reports with findings and recommendations.  

Essential Functions 

• Provide visionary leadership, establishing strategic goals and objectives aligned with the Office’s mission and the City’s priorities. 

• Collaborate with the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board to identify and address emerging prison-related concerns. 

• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training of staff for the Office of Prison Oversight. 

• Manage the Office’s annual budget (approximately $1.4 million for FY26). 

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Prison Oversight Board, Department of Prisons, Office of the Mayor, and City Council. 

• Represent the Office at public meetings, forums, and conferences. 

• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections of Philadelphia’s correctional facilities to examine and document conditions and interview incarcerated individuals. 

• Respond to sentinel events, including investigating every death in custody. 

• Oversee the review of prison data, inmate grievances, and follow-up investigations. 

• Review and evaluate regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Prisons. 

• Identify systemic issues and provide recommendations to the Department of Prisons and the Oversight Board. 

• Access department of Prisons staff and incarcerated individuals, facilities, databases, and documents, including grievances filed against the department.  

• Monitor compliance with statewide and nationwide best practices in corrections and oversight. 

• Establish and maintain data collection and reporting systems. 

• Prepare and submit periodic reports to the Oversight Board and City Council summarizing Office activities. 

• Report on conditions of confinement including use of force, infrastructure, out-of-cell time, access to services, food and nutrition, due process, and access to programming. 

• Develop and implement community education programs to increase public understanding of prison conditions and oversight efforts. 

• And other duties as assigned. 

Required Co