Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Special Operations

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 Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) provides a secure correctional environment to detained people accused or convicted of illegal acts.  The PDP operates four facilities to prepare incarcerated people for successful re-entry after their release. We also offer the following programs and services:

• Job training
• Educational services
• Parenting classes
• Substance abuse services
• Behavioral health therapy
• Counseling, individual and group therapy

Job Description

Position Summary

This high-level correctional management position assists the Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Emergency Services with the daily functions of Special Operations.  An employee in this class will prepare the Prison system emergency response plans for various emergency situations, including riots and natural disasters, and direct activities of special operational units, such as transportation, K-9, and the emergency response team. The work is performed under the direction of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Emergency Services. 

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the oversight of the following Special Operations areas; All Emergency Response Teams, (CERT, HNT, CIT), Honor Guard, Medical Transportation Unit (MTU), Transportation, and the K-9 Unit.
• Provides on-site technical advice for emergency operations and is also charged with identifying, developing, and assessing the need for emergency plans.
• Responsible for coordinating policy development related to emergency preparedness which involves planning and implementing an emergency preparedness program.
• Responsible for designing training for all emergency teams within the institution, i.e., Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to make more effective use of staff resources and improve staff morale, providing a higher degree of proficiency in technical operations and building team spirit.
• Responsible for developing plans for major and minor mock scenarios, tabletop exercises, and coordinating the training activities.
• Works closely with other federal, state and local law enforcement, emergency management, and correctional agencies for the exchange of training resources and expertise.
• Collaborates with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management on matters that span both offices.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent management and leadership ability.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, and release of inmates of penal or correctional institutions.
• A thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution’s internal policies, programs, regulations, and procedures.
• Experience training subordinates, coordinating and directing activities and functions, evaluating performance of operations and the effectiveness of programs, and maintaining high standards or work objectives.

This experience must have been gained in an administrative position, or in other positions that included the successful direction, or assistance in the direction of an entire correctional program or a major phase of such a program.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

• Experience in developing plans for a multitude of emergency situations and preparing staff and equipment in a state of readiness.
• Experience in developing plans for major and minor mock scenarios and coordinating training activities.
• Experience with generally accepted crisis resolution techniques to include principles of hostage negotiation, hostage rescue, building clearing fundamentals, and tactical team structure and organization.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree is preferred in criminal justice, psychology, political science, sociology, or a related field.

Ten to Fifteen years of experience in Law Enforcement, Corrections, or Security at Local, State, or Federal agencies. Military experience is acceptable.

Required Certification Training: FEMA Independent study program courses: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800,

Recommended Specialized Training: ACA, NIC, NIJ, ICS 300 and ICS 400

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $147,000 - $154,000

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 8 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