Workforce Development Manager - MDO - Transportation and Infrastructure

City of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transportation benefits

Parental leave

Health coverage

Wellness program

Vacation and holidays

Retirement savings options

Student loan forgiveness program

Tuition discounts

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia's OTIS program seeks a Workforce Development Manager to lead infrastructure workforce policy, data reporting, and program strategy. You will coordinate with labor, education, and city departments to expand pathways to good‑paying jobs in public works.

The role focuses on grant management, apprenticeship programs, and cross‑agency collaboration to advance equitable access to infrastructure careers. This is a full‑time, in‑office position.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of workforce systems, policies, and programs related to infrastructure.
• Experience using data to inform decisions, program design, and reporting.
• Experience preparing reports, policy recommendations, and grant applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with local hiring strategies and apprenticeship programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and recommend workforce policies, programs, and strategies to expand access to infrastructure careers.
• Analyze data to identify opportunities, barriers, and areas for improvement.
• Build knowledge of federal, state, and local workforce policies and compliance requirements.
• Lead development and implementation of the City's infrastructure workforce development strategy, budgets, plans, and priorities.
• Manage workforce grants and funding opportunities, including reporting and performance management.
• Conduct research and implement best practices related to workforce development and local hiring.
• Represent the City’s workforce goals in meetings and external engagements.
• Supervise staff and manage consultant contracts and vendor relationships.

Skills

Knowledge of workforce systems

Data-driven decision making

Grant applications

Strong communication

Labor/workforce policy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Workforce Development Manager - MDO - Transportation and Infrastructure

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 75400 - USD 94000 - yearly

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 our transportation and infrastructure systems. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and the Office of Sustainability to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. OTIS collaborates with a wide variety of organizations such as Amtrak, DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. OTIS coordinates policy, planning, and decision-making among the entities that manage local transportation and utilities infrastructure.

OTIS is the home department for the Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST). The IST is a cross‑departmental effort with a mission to grow economic mobility for Philadelphians through the strategic use of infrastructure investments. This will include increasing the amount of City contracts that go to historically underutilized businesses, while ensuring that infrastructure workers, from planning to construction, look more like the population of Philadelphia. As an office environment, OTIS provides a unique opportunity for individuals who want to make meaningful and visible change in the place where they live. OTIS is staffed by people who believe that investments in the built environment can lift up communities and prepare our city for a vibrant, sustainable and equitable future.

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. Effective July 15, 2024, all City workers are required to be in the office fulltime. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Position Summary

The Workforce Development Manager will serve as the lead workforce strategist for infrastructure‑related workforce development initiatives across the City of Philadelphia. As a member of the Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST), the Manager will help advance the City’s mission to use infrastructure investments to expand access to good‑paying jobs, strengthen workforce pipelines, and increase economic mobility for Philadelphians. This role will lead a portfolio that connects workforce policy, program implementation, strategic partnerships, data reporting, and grant‑funded initiatives. The Manager will focus especially on public works construction, union pathways in the building trades and heavy highway sectors, apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship programs, hiring strategies, and systems that improve access to jobs at all stages of public works project delivery.

Workforce Policy and Strategic Reporting

The Manager will lead workforce policy implementation, data tracking, and strategic reporting related to City infrastructure investments. In this role, the Manager will develop a working knowledge of the systems, policies, and compliance tools the City uses to track and enforce workforce participation requirements on public infrastructure projects.

A core responsibility will be overseeing implementation of the City’s pilot Geographic and Economic Hiring Preferences program. The GEHP pilot is anticipated to apply to approximately 15 public works contracts, representing roughly $150 million in contract value, during FY26–FY27. The Manager will supervise and support the Jobs Coordinator, who will serve as a key staff for this work area.

The Manager will also build familiarity with relevant state and federal workforce programs, including PennDOT’s On‑the‑Job Training program and Section 25019(a) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, “Local Hiring Preference for Construction Jobs.” Working closely with the Infrastructure Jobs Coordinator and staff across City agencies, the Manager will assess the impact of the GEHP pilot and recommend future phases of the program. These recommendations may include opportunities to leverage existing workforce programs, strengthen compliance systems, or develop new approaches to infrastructure workforce development.

The Manager will oversee data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts to track workforce participation across City investments in roads, bridges, water systems, airports, pollution mitigation, waste treatment, and climate resilience. This will include developing standard operating procedures and preparing reports, briefings, and memos that synthesize key metrics, including hiring, retention, contractor participation, apprenticeship utilization, and demographic participation. These materials will support accountability, compliance, decision‑making, and ongoing program improvement.

Workforce Program Development

The Workforce Development Manager will develop implementation proposals for approximately $1.75M of grant funded workforce development including developing a system for dispersing supportive services and wrap‑around programs for apprentices working on heavy highway infrastructure projects. This work area will likely include consultant management and utilize partnerships with external agencies. In addition, the Manager will oversee PlugInPhilly, an early $1.5M federally funded pre‑apprenticeship program for electric vehicle careers. In partnership with the PlugInPhilly Program Manager, the Manager will be accountable for three cohorts of the program, managing contractors and sub‑grantees, and complying with federal grant terms and reporting requirements. The Manager will participate in team efforts to prepare competitive grant applications. They will play a key role researching and synthesizing information to help the teams submit compelling grant applications to fund workforce strategies.

Partnerships

The Manager will work with a range of stakeholders including consultant teams, Philadelphia Works (the local workforce development board), and staff from other City departments such as the City’s Department of Labor, Streets, Water, Aviation, City College for Municipal Employment (CCME), Law, and more. The Manager will be responsible for proactively maintaining strong awareness of the goals and initiatives of partners and will seek out ways to collaborate and align missions. At the same time the Manager will represent the City when working with organized labor organizations and their training affiliates that provide pre‑apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The Manager should have a good understanding of a job‑seeker's journey in construction or infrastructure work including training, apprenticeships, and eventual employment on a job site.

The Manager supervises two (2) full‑time staff, PlugInPhilly Program Manager and Infrastructure Job Coordinator. The position reports to the Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy.

Essential Functions

Workforce Policy, Data, and Strategic Reporting

• Develop and recommend workforce policies, programs, and strategies that expand access to infrastructure careers, registered apprenticeships, and other pathways to family‑sustaining careers.
• Analyze workforce participation data, labor market trends, and program outcomes to identify opportunities, barriers, and areas for improvement.
• Build and maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local workforce policies, funding opportunities, and compliance requirements relevant to infrastructure investments.

Infrastructure Workforce Program Development

• Lead development and implementation of the City’s infrastructure workforce development strategy, budgets, plans, and priorities.
• Manage workforce grants and funding opportunities, including program implementation, reporting, compliance, and performance management.
• Conduct research and implement best practices related to workforce development, apprenticeship, pre‑apprenticeship, and local hiring.
• Support development of competitive grant applications and implementation strategies that advance the City’s workforce goals.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain partnerships with workforce development organizations, educational institutions, government partners, labor organizations, apprenticeship sponsors, contractors, and training providers.
• Represent the City’s workforce goals and initiatives in meetings and external stakeholder engagements.
• Collaborate with partners to align workforce investments, training opportunities, supportive services, and employment pathways across City departments and with external partners.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to leverage funding, resources, and strategic partnerships to advance infrastructure workforce goals.

Supervision and Portfolio Management

• Supervise and support two (2) full‑time staff.
• Establish work plans, performance goals, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Manage workforce‑related consultant contracts, scopes of work, deliverables, and vendor relationships.
• Oversee project budgets, timelines, reporting requirements, and key performance metrics across the City’s infrastructure workforce portfolio.
• Ensure effective administration, coordination, and continuous improvement infrastructure workforce programs and initiatives.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of workforce systems and career pathways, including registered apprenticeship, pre‑apprenticeship, post‑secondary education, employer engagement, and/or work‑based learning models.
• Experience using data to inform decision‑making, program design, and continuous improvement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, policy recommendations, and grant applications.
• Familiarity with workforce participation requirements, apprenticeship utilization goals, local hiring strategies, or similar workforce policies used in public infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with public‑sector processes, including procurement, budgeting, contracting, regulatory requirements, legislative processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equitable workforce outcomes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment with evolving priorities while maintaining strong project management and organizational skills.

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.

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university is highly preferred but can be substituted with additional years of relevant experience.
• Experience in government, workforce development, public administration, education, labor, nonprofit, economic development, or related sectors developing workforce initiatives, managing stakeholder partnerships, and advancing cross‑sector workforce strategies.
• Two(2) or more years of experience managing projects, programs, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

Salary Range: $75,400 - $94,000

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 .

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