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 acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. 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 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to 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 real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.
The Law Department’s Compliance, Investigations, & Privacy Group is comprised of the Right to Know Unit, HIPAA and Privacy Unit, Communications Director, and E-Discovery practice. The Compliance Unit is a growing unit within the Law Department’s Compliance, Investigations, & Privacy Group.
Job Description The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an experienced, licensed PA attorney to serve as Senior Attorney for ADA Compliance, with significant subject-matter expertise in the intersection between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all aspects of Local Government operations and obligations.
Essential Functions & Knowledge Areas
In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Knowledge of disability access laws and regulations as pertaining to City infrastructure, including all issues related to the pedestrian right-of-way and other transportation-related issues, including:Coordination of access requirements across jurisdictions and stakeholders, such as PennDOT, utilities, private developers, and public transit;Familiarity with disability access laws and regulations pertaining to transit and working with local transportation authorities (SEPTA) as appropriate; andAdvising on contracting and oversight of City contractors working on paving and other issues impacting the right of way.Knowledge of disability access laws and regulations pertaining to City services and programs, including:Knowledge of accessibility requirements for City events, parks, and Park’s department services;Knowledge of accessibility requirements for City shelters and other City services;Evaluation of program access generally across City services and facilities and assisting with transition planning as needed;Evaluation of requests for reasonable accommodations in City services, including alternative means of communication, zoning issues, and physical and program access; andKnowledge of accessibility requirements for elections and polling places.Review of proposed ordinances impacting accessibility issues.Review and advise on departmental policies for compliance with the ADA, inclusive of reasonable accommodation policies.Review of City contracts for accessibility requirements pertaining to vendors and users of City facilities via permitting and evaluation of enforcement mechanisms.Reviewing ADA grievance procedures across City departments.Familiarly with disability access laws and regulations pertaining to education programs and working with the School District as appropriate.Evaluation of requests for reasonable accommodation in City employment. Competencies, Skills and Abilities
Strong leadership and management skills;Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;Influence and run cross-functional teams to drive change and stay aligned with overarching strategy;Orchestrate multiple activities at once; uses resources effectively and efficiently;Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal;Excellent active listening skills;Strong analytical & problem-solving skills;Proven project management skills that meet projected deadline and results;Work effectively with all levels in the government;Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences;Ability to coach and influence senior leaders and move toward a common vision or goal;Experience in group facilitation, coaching & leading teams/organizations in performance improvement strategies that result in higher performance;Experience in managing client relationships;Experience in cross system collaboration work, information sharing and data sharing;Analysis of complex legal issues and impact on policy;Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and process; andAbility to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions. Work-Life
The Law Department supports a robust work-life balance. Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday; however due to the nature of this position and the needs of the client, the attorney may be needed to address issues during all shifts of the 24/7 operation, including days, nights, holidays, and weekends as needed.
Qualifications This is a senior level position, with seven (7) plus years of legal experience relevant to the subject matter and/or responsibilities of the position are required. 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 eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar within six (6) months. Additional Information TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: Up to $134,510 - Commensurate with education and experience
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 6 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 planEmployees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidaysGenerous retirement savings options are availablePay 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 [email protected].
For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx