Senior Project Coordinator, Public Space

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 Public Space Coordinator will join OTIS’ Office of Multimodal Planning (OMP) and is responsible for overseeing planning, contracting, purchasing, operations, and management of new and existing right-of-way public space initiatives. This includes the development and implementation of a new planter initiative to support the creation of safe and green separated bike lanes and commercial corridors across the city. The position will manage all aspects of the planter program, assist public space partner organizations, and coordinate other roadway public space initiatives such as parklets, plazas, and bike corrals.

Building out of the planter program will include tracking of current planters used for bikeway separation and expanding implementation throughout the City. The Coordinator will be expected to work collaboratively and inclusively across departments and agencies as well as communicate effectively with community stakeholders to develop and implement management and operational plans for public space projects. The position requires close coordination with multiple city agencies, Business Improvement Districts, other community-based organizations, and business owners.

The ideal candidate will be expected to be familiar with street design and management issues and have strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to set and meet critical milestones. This position must oversee and plan installation, manage contracts and procurement, monitor maintenance, and work with elected officials and members of the public.  This is an opportunity to work with a team dedicated to creating safe, clean, green streets while enhancing economic opportunity for all across Philadelphia.

Essential Functions

Program Management

• Develop, implement, and manage the City’s corridor planter program and right-of-way public space initiatives
• Track program metrics and report on project locations, performance, and budget
• Create and revise program materials and processes, identify areas of growth and improvement, and develop updated or new guidance as needed
• Review designs and corridor layouts to ensure they meet program capacity and maintenance standards
• Develop and manage contracts with public space contractors, vendors, and project partners
• Attend and lead program meetings and receive requests and public feedback

Operations Oversight

• Develop operational protocols and guides for day-to-day management of right-of-way public space programs
• Manage program and locations in alignment with protocols
• Ensure on-going inspection of installation locations for operational and maintenance issues to ensure a high level of service across all neighborhoods
• Perform tasks including site inspection and field analysis for both pre-and post-installation and on-going maintenance

Policy and Guidelines Development

• Develop policy proposals to advance public space in the right-of-way
• Develop guidance documents with stakeholders for project development, design, maintenance, and operations

Collaboration and Coordination

• Lead cross-department and agency meetings and working groups to stand up programs and manage operational issues
• Prepare and deliver communications materials such as presentations, memorandums, reports, data, and maps to a variety of audiences and in various forums 
• Support community and stakeholder engagement across departments  
• Monitor and report on program and project goals through collected data and metrics, including surveys
• Collaborate with peers at OTIS and build relationships with staff across various City departments to better implement programs and projects   
• Participate in meetings with inter-governmental partners, stakeholders, and community groups related to current and future transportation concerns 
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to identify problems, manage against tight timelines, prioritize among competing needs and opportunities, and manage multiple projects at the same time
• Knowledge of public contracting processes, requirements for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration
• Knowledge of urban transportation design and networks, including understanding of practices and policies related to the public right-of-way strongly desired
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Willingness and ability to work in the field or at warehouse facilities, as needed
• Strong communication skills, including writing and presentations
• Public speaking experience or experience working with community groups and ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Adobe Creative Suite
• Interest or experience in additional software skills, such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD, or design programs

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Civil or Transportation Engineering, Public Policy, or comparable fields
• Four or more years’ experience in transportation planning, urban design, engineering, program implementation or related fields

Desirable:

• Master's degree or additional certifications in the fields mentioned above
• Experience coordinating or managing complex projects or programs
• Experience in public sector procurement, contracting or contract management
• Experience working with the City of Philadelphia, its neighborhoods, and governmental structure
• Knowledge or experience with professional landscaping, gardening, and/or horticulture

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply and to provide additional explanation in the cover letter.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter as part of a complete application.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000

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

Client-provided location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: a25b54b7-fd57-44f2-b0e2-de2b8de49c40

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-08-28T17:16:22