Senior Project and Policy Coordinator, Sidewalk Program

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 Managing Director’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) is charged with driving change through impactful capital projects, innovative programs, and equity-focused policy initiatives. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, and the Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP), to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the needs of Philadelphia residents and visitors. 

Staff are passionate about expanding access to safe, equitable transportation across Philadelphia and are dedicated to making a positive impact through work on multimodal, complete streets and Vision Zero initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as Amtrak, the DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, and SEPTA. OTIS also partners with diverse neighborhood organizations and leaders, Business Improvement Districts, and Registered Community Organizations across the city. 

More information about the functions of OTIS can be found at: www.phila.gov/otis. 

Job Description

Position Summary

The Senior Project Coordinator, Sidewalk Program will lead the coordination for the implementation of high-priority initiatives related to sidewalk policy. They will be responsible for formulating and facilitating a strategy to ensure safety, connectivity, and federal and state compliance of sidewalks in the City of Philadelphia. They will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the City’s efforts of high-priority initiatives related to sidewalk policy and coordinating with private, Federal, State, and regional entities. This position is responsible for work that is part of the Philly Tree Plan.

The position is partially grant funded.

Essential Functions

Lead a sidewalk master plan. The Sidewalk Policy Coordinator would work with the cross departmental staff to develop a sidewalk policy plan that is consistent with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and PennDOT guidance, potentially including:

• Identify physical obstacles in the City of Philadelphia’s facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs/activities to people with disabilities.
• Describe methods that will be used to make facilities accessible
• Specify the resources and schedule for taking the steps necessary to upgrade pedestrian access to meet ADA and Section 504 requirements, including any additional staffing needs
• The plan may also take into account issues not directly related to ADA compliance, such as standards, policies, and process improvements to aid in short-term repairs to address trip hazards, new sidewalk construction, and sidewalk maintenance issues such as snow removal and maintenance plans for overhanging vegetation.

Establish sidewalk repair standards. The City’s current sidewalk standards are expressed in a range of documents, including the City’s Right of Way Improvement Standards, the Complete Streets Design Handbook, and through design detail standards available on the Streets Department’s website. These standards are effective for construction, but not repair. To address this gap, work across departments to develop standards that specify when sidewalk reconstruction is necessary vs. temporary fixes, as well as appropriate materials, and techniques that may be used for each. The standards should consider innovative ways to work around existing elements in the streetscape, like trees, utilities, etc.

Develop a strategy for funding sidewalk repair to create a reliable funding strea