Agency Description

The Office of Prison Oversight is a newly established agency within the City of Philadelphia, created to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) within the Office of the Inspector General.

The Office is charged with promoting the safety, health, and well-being of incarcerated individuals through independent oversight, policy review, investigations, and public reporting. Working in close partnership with the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board, the Office will conduct inspections, access prison records and data, engage directly with staff and incarcerated individuals, and provide recommendations to improve conditions and operations within Philadelphia's correctional system.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for building and leading the newly established Philadelphia Office of Prison Oversight. This role develops policy and practice, sets vision in consultation with the Prison Oversight Board, and leads oversight of the City's four correctional facilities.

The Executive Director will direct independent reviews of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, respond to sentinel events (including deaths in custody), and issue public reports with findings and recommendations.

Essential Functions

• Provide visionary leadership, establishing strategic goals and objectives aligned with the Office's mission and the City's priorities.

• Collaborate with the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board to identify and address emerging prison-related concerns.

• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training of staff for the Office of Prison Oversight.

• Manage the Office's annual budget (approximately $1.4 million for FY26).

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Prison Oversight Board, Department of Prisons, Office of the Mayor, and City Council.

• Represent the Office at public meetings, forums, and conferences.

• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections of Philadelphia's correctional facilities to examine and document conditions and interview incarcerated individuals.

• Respond to sentinel events, including investigating every death in custody.

• Oversee the review of prison data, inmate grievances, and follow-up investigations.

• Review and evaluate regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department of Prisons.

• Identify systemic issues and provide recommendations to the Department of Prisons and the Oversight Board.

• Access department of Prisons staff and incarcerated individuals, facilities, databases, and documents, including grievances filed against the department.

• Monitor compliance with statewide and nationwide best practices in corrections and oversight.

• Establish and maintain data collection and reporting systems.

• Prepare and submit periodic reports to the Oversight Board and City Council summarizing Office activities.

• Report on conditions of confinement including use of force, infrastructure, out-of-cell time, access to services, food and nutrition, due process, and access to programming.

• Develop and implement community education programs to increase public understanding of prison conditions and oversight efforts.

• And other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Oversight, monitoring, or advocacy experience within the criminal justice or corrections system.

• Comprehensive understanding of corrections operations and legal rights of incarcerated individuals.

• Knowledge of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and related regulations.

• Legal standards for investigating complaints, conducting hearings, and issuing recommendations.

• Awareness of cultural, racial, ethnic, and socio-economic factors impacting incarcerated populations.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, testimony, and stakeholder engagement.

• Ability to oversee investigations, audits, and policy reviews within scope, schedule, and budget.

• Capacity to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and propose effective solutions.

• Ability to make impartial, timely, and well-informed judgments in sensitive contexts.

• Strong skills in consensus-building and conflict resolution.

Abilities

• Ability to inspire and motivate staff, foster accountability, and establish a new organizational culture.

• Demonstrated impartiality and independence in oversight work.

• Manage multiple complex projects concurrently.

• Analyze data to inform policy recommendations.

• Learn and use data management systems and software applications.

• Travel frequently to correctional facilities, often with short notice.

• Work evenings and weekends as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, sociology, public health, law, public administration, or a related field.

Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.A., M.S.W., or related) preferred.

Minimum of eight (8) years of professional leadership experience in criminal justice, civil rights, public health, or related fields, with significant experience in oversight or reform initiatives.

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: 160,000-180,000

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.