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 Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works to mitigate, plan, and prepare for emergencies; educate the public about preparedness; coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts; and develop tools and identify resources to support the overall preparedness of the City of Philadelphia.

Multiple positions will be filled from this posting. A Public Health Operations Support Worker with OEM will perform many critical tasks that require a hands-on solution. Operations Support Workers will operate equipment, manage supply caches, deliver goods, clean equipment, and conduct various field services like set-up and clean-up. Work locations may include vaccine or testing clinics, isolation and quarantine sites, the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Disaster Logistics Site, or transporting people and things in the field. At times, the role may be public facing by providing directions or answering general questions.

The job requires a highly motivated, team-oriented individual who can lift, lower, and slide up to 70 pounds. Candidates with commercial driver’s licenses, forklift certification, experience performing parcel delivery, working in a warehouse, or setting up and tearing down temporary sites are highly desired.

Essential Functions

• Load and unload heavy material from trucks and vans
• Move or aid in moving heavy items or equipment and large and bulky objects
• Drive delivery vehicles (box trucks and vans), passenger vehicles (vans), and materials handling equipment (forklifts)
• Conduct inventory management tasks like organizing and counting equipment or supplies
• Provide services within written guidelines, following approved safety practices
• Works outside, nights, and weekends
• Fulfills Disaster Logistics Site roles during public health activations, including nights and weekends
• Report incidents or unsafe conditions in a timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective oral communication skills
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Professional conduct and accountability
• Proven time-management skills
• Ability to problem solve and work with others under pressure
• Ability to multitask effectively
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and develop partnerships
• Ability to complete tasks and projects in a timely manner
• Ability to contribute and coordinate work in a team
• Knowledge of various vehicle and equipment types
• Knowledge of safe operating practices including safe driving and lifting

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or GED
• Two (2) or more years’ experience performing the outlined tasks
• An equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field will be considered with approval by MDO-OEM and the Office of Human Resources.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certification

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six months of hire. Commercial driver’s license is preferred.
• Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100.a, 200.a, 700.a, and 800.b) within first month of appointment.
• Candidate will have access to secure public safety information.  All selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement in this position.

Other requirements

• Work may entail nights, weekends, and holidays.
• OEM personnel are essential, requiring work during states of emergency or other city closures.
• OEM personnel are required to serve periodically in an on-call capacity which may require the following conditions of work: work outside of typical business hours or for extended periods of time; work during states of emergency; work in a field environment, in a 24/7 watch center, or during activations of Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Example on-call work environments include, but are not limited to, scenes with the following conditions: materials that are on fire; utilities that are compromised; compromised structures; scenes near hazardous materials storage that may be compromised; scenes in congregate living settings, or in or near crowds; scenes near downed vegetation or other debris; or scenes near flooding and water-damaged materials. All work is performed while donning a level of personal protective equipment that 1) is recommended by the incident safety officer and 2) for which OEM personnel have received training. Example on-call response tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: working at a computer or with a portable tablet; observing and documenting conditions remotely or in the field; staffing an incident command post; communicating with responders or survivors; operating vehicles up to your licensed class; staffing facilities for survivors; transporting materials; being near a site where a serious injury or loss of life has occurred; sitting, standing, walking, climbing, crawling, or lifting or carrying materials.
•  During times of disaster, work assignments, schedules, and reporting structures may be altered to meet the incident objectives.
•  Full-time residency within the City of Philadelphia geographic boundaries required within six months of hire.  There are no exceptions to this policy.
•  Ability to physically perform the duties during and outside of normal business hours while in or outdoors.

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

Salary: $42,000

Grant funded through June 2023

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• 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

This is a, time-limited position.  Applicants are put on notice that if employment with the City exceeds six months, Philadelphia residency is required.

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

 For more information, go to the Human Relations website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx