Community Outreach Constituent Services Specialist

Job Description

Position Summary

The Community Outreach and Constituent Services Specialist for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission plays a key role by performing regular outreach to communities to spread awareness about CPOC, provide education about civilian oversight of police and police accountability, and encourage resident engagement with CPOC processes, among other objectives. The Community Outreach and Constituent Services Specialist will be a direct liaison between CPOC and community members, and as such, they are vital to the mission and goals of CPOC. This role will require extensive contact with residents, community groups, religious organizations, schools, and the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure that resident voices are amplified and that CPOC is responsive at all times to the needs of the community. This role is responsible for ensuring constituents are served in a coordinated, person-centered approach, particularly as their needs can involve various city departments. Community Outreach and Constituent Services Specialist will report to the Director of Community Outreach to help the Commission as it provides oversight for the Philadelphia Police Department.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate closely with staff to plan strategic approaches for community outreach and engagement on behalf of the Commission.
• Ensure that constituents are served in a respectful and coordinated manner when their needs involve various city departments.
• Utilize multiple outreach methods and tools to ensure the general public is informed and aware of all policy publications, reports, recommendations, and other projects completed by the CPOC staff.
• Develop, draft, and implement engagement and outreach metrics for CPOC. Facilitate communication between residents and Philadelphia Police Department personnel to problem-solve when their concerns do not rise to the level of a complaint.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Philadelphia Police Department’s community relations liaisons and other city departments.
• Maintain productive relationships with stakeholders and community leaders.
• Develop, draft, and implement policy and / or programmatic recommendations for the Commission and / or Philadelphia Police Department, as needs arise.
• Assist with community outreach initiatives and programing for the Commission.
• Assist with the coordination of the Commission’s monthly community meetings, establishing potential speakers and community partners.
• Engage the community through frequent and thoughtful outreach to facilitate communication and understanding between the public and the police.
• Assist with intake of complaints against police and provide courteous, compassionate, and professional services to complainants. Prepare internal and external referrals as needed to ensure complaints and other constituent concerns are properly addressed.
• Assess community concerns as they relate to policing in Philadelphia and forward these concerns to other CPOC units for related projects or audits as applicable.
• Ensure that CPOC efforts and projects incorporate community voices, community engagement, and feedback when possible.
• Build and maintain a current database of external contacts for the CPOC.
• Design and administer surveys to gauge public awareness of CPOC and its functions, attitudes toward police, and other topics.
• Generate reports related to CPOC’s outreach and constituent services efforts to ensure that the reporting requirements listed in the CPOC’s authorizing legislation are carried out faithfully.
• Help to maintain transparency between the Commission, the Police Department, elected officials, and the public.
• Using extensive knowledge of Philadelphia Police Department policies, procedures, and disciplinary code, adjudicate discipline cases and make disciplinary recommendations as a rotating member of the PPD Police Board of Inquiry.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Outreach, Executive Director / Deputy Executive Director.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Qualifications : Qualifications

Additional Information

TO APPLY : Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

Salary Range : $55,000-$70,000

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