Deputy Director of Worker Protections

Company DescriptionA 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 offerImpact - 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 DescriptionThe Department of Labor builds partnerships between management and the labor organizations representing City employees. The department also oversees matters related to the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and workplace anti-harassment policies, FMLA, ADA, and other EEO areas. As the City’s main point of contact for the labor community, we: Handle negotiations between City unions and City management. Respond to unfair labor practice charges filed against the City. Investigate complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination from any City employees, applicants, former employees, or members of the public. Represent the City in union disputes. Make sure employers with City contracts pay prevailing wages. Resolve minimum-wage waiver requests. Administer and enforce the City’s worker protection laws. The Department of Labor includes the Office of Employee Relations, the Office of Labor Relations, the Office of Worker Protections, the Office of Labor Standards, and the Living Wage Working Group. Job DescriptionPosition Summary The Deputy Director of Worker Protections is a member of the executive leadership team within the Department of Labor, and is responsible for the setting strategic vision setting, operations, and performance of the Office of Worker Protection. This role is responsible for the management of all enforcement activities related to worker protection ordinances assigned to the Office of Worker Protection. To do this, the Deputy will set ambitious performance goals for all office staff, ensure that worker complaints and inquiries are responded to in a consistent and timely manner, and deliver results to the citizens of Philadelphia. Externally, the Deputy is responsible for successfully engaging with, and communicating across a wide variety of stakeholders, and serves as the first point of contact for City Council, the advocacy community, and the business community for concerns related to worker protection ordinances. This role reports to the Chief of Staff for the Department of Labor, and directs through subordinate Worker Protections Staff which includes the Assistant Compliance Director and Labor Protection Supervisors. Essential Functions Develops and implements strategic vision, policies, and enforcement and outreach strategies for the Office of Worker Protection in collaboration with the Director of Labor and Chief of Staff.  Ensures compliance with and enforcement of worker protection ordinances, including wage protections, sick leave, industry-specific protections, and retaliation laws.  Provides expert guidance on policy issues and legislative updates impacting worker protections.  Manages all enforcement activities related to worker protection ordinances, ensuring timely and consistent responses to worker complaints and inquiries.  Oversees investigations into potential violations and ensures appropriate corrective actions are taken.  Supervises, mentors, and evaluates Office of Worker Protection staff, including the Assistant Compliance Director, Compliance Supervisor, and Engagement Supervisor.  Establishes and monitors performance goals to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in enforcement operations.  Provides professional development opportunities to enhance staff expertise and enforcement capabilities.  Serves as the primary point of contact for City Council, advocacy groups, labor organizations, and the business community regarding worker protection concerns.  Develops and maintains constructive relationships with diverse stakeholders to enhance compliance efforts and promote worker rights.  Represents the Office of Worker Protection in public forums, community meetings, and business roundtables.  Directs the day-to-day operations of the Office of Worker Protection, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.  Develops reports, presentations, and recommendations on enforcement activities and compliance trends.  Collaborates with internal and external partners to improve enforcement efficiency and expand worker protections.  Oversees initiatives to educate workers, employers, and the public on their rights and responsibilities under city ordinances.  Oversees the development of outreach materials, training sessions, and public awareness campaigns.  Works to increase compliance through proactive engagement and education efforts.  All other duties as assigned. Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge  Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws.  In-depth understanding of Philadelphia’s worker protection ordinances.  Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, union rights, and employer responsibilities in relation to worker protections.  Knowledge of compliance and enforcement best practices, including investigative methodologies and legal remedies.  Understanding of due process and administrative enforcement procedures related to labor law violations.  Knowledge of case management systems and enforcement tracking databases to monitor compliance and enforcement activities.  Awareness of stakeholder engagement strategies, including collaboration with City Council, advocacy groups, labor organizations, and the business community.  Skills  Ability to develop and implement strategic enforcement initiatives that align with citywide labor policies.  Strong leadership skills to supervise and mentor staff, set performance goals, and ensure effective daily operations.  Skill in analyzing complaints, overseeing investigations, interpreting labor laws, and determining enforcement actions.  Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with policymakers, labor organizations, and advocacy groups.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills for drafting reports, enforcement recommendations, and delivering testimony at public hearings.  Skill in managing budgets, allocating resources efficiently, and overseeing operational processes within the Office of Worker Protection.  Strong skills in managing politically sensitive situations and resolving disputes in a fair and transparent manner.  Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City Council, outside organizations, and internal stakeholders.  Abilities  Ability to interpret and apply complex legal and policy frameworks in enforcement decisions and strategy development.  Ability to lead staff in the investigation of complaints and inquiries, including conforming to timelines and reporting protocols, and issuance of fines and penalties as needed to enforce compliance under the law.  Ability to oversee and guide investigations, ensuring compliance with worker protection laws while maintaining procedural fairness.  Ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, businesses, and worker advocacy organizations.  Ability to navigate politically sensitive situations, communicate enforcement actions clearly, and uphold transparency in decision-making.  Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, balancing enforcement duties, public engagement, and policy initiatives.  Ability to oversee the development and implementation of training programs to educate workers, employers, and enforcement staff on labor law compliance.  Ability to lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and public service excellence.  QualificationsBachelor’s Degree. Preferred degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, Human Resources or a closely related field. At least six years of progressively-increasing responsibility in labor relations, labor organizations, labor advocacy, human resources, or a closely related field, with at least two years of which was in a management-level position. Additional InformationTO APPLY:Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.Salary Range: $105,000-$135,000Discover 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 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 hireEffective 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io more information, go to: Human Relations Website: SummaryType: Full-timeFunction: OtherExperience level: Mid-Senior LevelIndustry: Government Administration