Chair - Social Services Group

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 City of Philadelphia Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.  
The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 290 attorneys and 130 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce the City's legal liability, and address threats to the quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.  

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have a tangible impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents we serve, and we promote an environment of camaraderie, accountability, and inclusiveness.  The Executive Team for the City of Philadelphia Law Department consists of the City Solicitor, First Deputy City Solicitor, the Chairs of the Litigation, Corporate and Tax, Social Services, and Compliance and Legislation Groups, Director of Administration, Director of Professional Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Director of Communications.

Professional Responsibility & Public Service
We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgement, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.
 

Job Description

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an experienced, licensed PA attorney to serve as Chair of the Social Services Law Group (SSLG). The SSLG is comprised of the Child Welfare Unit (CWU) and the Health and Adult Services Unit (HAS). SSLG’s major client responsibilities include the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Public Health (PDPH), the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbilities (DBHIDS), and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS). The Chair of the SSLG oversees the provision of legal representation and services to all of the social service agencies in the City of Philadelphia. The Chair of the SSLG is responsible for managing approximately 100 staff members, including over 60 attorneys.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

Managing and overseeing the Senior Management structure in the SSLG, which consists of three Chief Deputies, i.e., the CWU Chief Deputy of Litigation and Appeals, the CWU Chief Deputy of Administration and Specialty Practice and the Chief Deputy of HAS; seven Divisional Deputy City Solicitors and the Senior Attorney for Training & Professional Development;

· Managing, legal and policy issues for the respective clients of the CWU and HAS Units;

· Working directly with the First Deputy City Solicitor and the Director of Administration on all budget matters that impact the SSLG;

· Serving as lead counsel to the Commissioners of the represented social service agencies, including the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Public Health (PDPH), the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbilities (DBHIDS) and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS);

· Counseling and consulting with clients on “high profile cases”, which includes the drafting of responses to press/media inquiries in coordination with the Law Department’s Director of Communications;

· Overseeing the CWU work regarding the Act 33 fatality and near fatality cases;

· Acting as liaison for various clients with Court Administration, Community Legal Services, the Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and other legal stakeholders;

· Participating and providing counsel to various City Work Groups; Raising the profile of the Law Department through various outreach or educational opportunities such as presenting at conferences, convenings, or working groups.

· Working with Senior Management team and Director of Professional Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on training, professional development, onboarding, and recruitment for all SSLG employees

· Fostering and maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that recognizes and values all forms of diversity; and

· Overseeing and managing interview process for all SSLG vacancies.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Strong leadership, people management, and administrative skills;

· Proven project management skills that meet projected deadlines and results while using resources effectively;

· Ability to coach and influence cross-functional teams to drive change and align with overarching strategy/goals;

· Experience in coaching and leading teams in performance improvement strategies that result in higher performance;

· Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, regardless of audience’s education;

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

· Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with all levels in city government and external stakeholders;

· Experience in managing client relationships;

· Experience in cross-system collaboration work, information sharing and data sharing;

· Ability to analyze complex legal issues, their impact on policy and propose viable solutions;

· Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and processes.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate would have at least 12-15 years of in-practice experience, including substantial experience managing attorneys. Significant experience in child welfare law, public health law, Family Court, and Mental Health Court is preferred. The candidate must be able to work collaboratively with the leadership and staff of the various social service agencies and the other stakeholders to solve the myriad issues that may arise when dealing with abused and neglected children and their families and other vulnerable populations.
• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.

Work Location & Onsite Expectations

This position is designated as fully onsite and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Additional Information

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

Salary: $186,225

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Meghan R. Goddard, First Deputy City Solicitor, Executive Office (meghan.goddard@phila.gov).

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

Client-provided location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: 33596fb1-6000-471b-9726-f31662b23593

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-05-19T17:15:39