Director of Professional Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Phila Law Department

Posted by City of Philadelphia on January 21, 2020

The City’s Law Department is comprised of over 220 lawyers and 100 support staff. The Law Department serves as counsel to the Mayor, City Council, other elected officials and the City’s departments, agencies, and commissions. The Law Department provides legal representation for the City in matters involving federal, state, and local agency litigation, commercial and real estate transactions, tax, regulatory issues, social services, and legislation.

Job Description

The Director will work with the First Deputy City Solicitor and department leadership in two main areas: 1) developing, scheduling, implementation and assessment of comprehensive training programs for all practice areas of the Law Department and internal training programs for legal assistants and support staff; and 2) coordinating and overseeing recruitment and retention efforts in the Law Department while ensuring diversity and inclusion.

The Director will support department leadership, working closely with our committees and professionals to maintain and support an integrated department-wide approach to diversity and inclusion, ultimately creating a culture that values different perspectives and recruits and retains the best talent. The Director will be a strategic partner who will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies relating to department recruitment, retention and promotion of women and diverse individuals across the department. In addition to these responsibilities, the Director will work to raise the profile of the Law Department in the legal community through the Bar Association, Affinity Groups, and related organizations. Lastly, the Director will work with the department leadership on a variety of legal and administrative issues.

Essential Functions

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with department staff in developing learning objectives, content and structure for in-house training programs, including coordinating the Law Department annual CLE program
• Implement initiatives related to leadership development, engagement, morale and internal communications, including overseeing all nominations for internal and external awards and recognition.
• Work with the HR Compliance Manager to design, write and revise staff training materials, including instructors guides, PowerPoint presentations, participant handouts, and supplemental materials.
• On an ongoing basis, assess effectiveness of in-house training programs and advise on ways to improve them, including working with technology specialists or consultants to develop technology training solutions.
• Keep up-to-date on current trends, developments and best practices in the field of attorney, paralegal and staff development by reading professional journals, articles and books, and attending/ presenting at attorney development seminars, conferences and workshops.
• Assess external CLE opportunities for relevance and when applicable coordinate attendance of law department staff
• Review the departments Diversity Plan and make recommendations as to best practices to maintain diversity and inclusion as a core value.
• Keep up-to-date on best practices that support the growth, development and advancement of the departments diverse lawyers and support staff.
• Ensure the Departments compliance with the Mansfield Certification process administered by Diversity Lab.
• Utilize external relationships with the department to create strategies for outreach into diverse communities, including with our Diversity, Professional Development and Public Service Committees
• Support diversity and inclusion within the departments overall development efforts through training and development of our diverse legal talent.
• Assist in identifying ways to partner with our clients on Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
• Work closely with the First Deputy to understand department demographics, identify areas for focus, and make recommendations on steps to hire, develop and retain a more diverse workforce.
• Serve as a liaison between the department, departments Diversity Committee and external organizations.
• Encourage department participation in local and national affinity groups by coordinating meetings with group leaders to develop goals, plan events and programs, and attract new members.
• Attend diversity recruiting and other diversity events as necessary, in consultation with the First Deputy.
• Design, effectively and efficiently coordinate, and evaluate all aspects of the Law Department recruiting program including, pre-arrival processes and communications, orientation, mentoring program, social and community service events, diversity events and initiatives, educational and special department programming.
• Effectively and efficiently coordinate the law school student recruitment process including coordinating all on campus interviews and local area law school career fairs, overseeing the internship program, and developing targeted law school communications.
• Meet regularly with Law Department Chairs to assess the effectiveness of all diversity and professional development efforts.
• Other duties related to the department’s diversity and inclusion efforts as required.

Learn more and apply: https://www.smartrecruiters.com/CityofPhiladelphia/743999703262252-director-of-professional-development-diversity-inclusion