The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the Chief Information Officer. This position is within the OIT and assigned to the Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) IT unit, which is responsible for the creation of spatial data and online web applications and tools to support community planning and housing strategies. DPD regularly engages with the public, city officials and a wide array of stakeholders using geospatial data and web applications to obtain input on the formulation of neighborhood, district and housing plans and to communicate the work of the department with the public. The Department of Planning and Development is made up of multiple divisions including Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Philadelphia Historical Commission, Art Commission, ZBA, Division of Housing and Community Development, and partners with the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.
This position will play an important role in supporting housing and planning programs by serving as the bridge between program goals and the tools staff use to deliver them. You’ll help staff effectively use applications for program delivery, including supporting, maintaining, and over time contributing to the development of Quickbase applications. Your work will center on understanding user needs, improving systems and workflows, and supporting data-driven decision making. You’ll provide practical, hands-on support, listening to staff challenges, coordinating enhancements, offering training, documenting processes, and helping with reporting needs.
Job Description
Essential Functions
User-Centered Problem Solving & Support
- Partner with program staff and end users to understand their goals and challenges, building familiarity with the tools and workflows that support their needs.
- Serve as a first point of contact for user questions or concerns—handling them where possible and escalating as appropriate.
- Monitor the progress of each request through resolution and keep end users informed along the way.
- Ask thoughtful questions to clarify needs and support staff in finding practical solutions.
- Coordinate with colleagues or IT to resolve issues efficiently based on urgency and program impact.
- Keep IT management informed of emerging patterns, recurring issues, or opportunities for system improvements.
QuickBase Application Maintenance & Development
- Assist in maintaining and updating Quickbase applications, contributing to enhancements and new features as your understanding of the platform deepens.
- Collaborate with staff to identify opportunities to improve workflows, automations, and data structures within Quickbase.
- Support the creation of new Quickbase applications aligned with evolving program needs.
- Document updates and system changes clearly for users and colleagues.
Training & Documentation
- Develop clear, user-friendly guides, FAQs, and process documentation to support confident system use.
- Assist in training staff one-on-one or in small group settings, offering guidance that reflects a practical understanding of the tools.
- Provide Quickbase-related training and support as familiarity with the platform grows.
Process Improvement & System Enhancement
- Recommend and help implement enhancements that improve usability or streamline program workflows.
- Work collaboratively with IT and program teams to address recurring issues and suggest improvements grounded in user experience.
- Adapt systems and processes to evolving program needs with an eye toward operational efficiency.
Data Assistance for Reporting
- Pull, organize, and prepare data for program reports and dashboards.
- Conduct data audits to ensure consistency and accuracy.
- Help users understand basic system data structures to improve data quality at the source.
Learning & Growth
- Demonstrate curiosity and initiative—continuously deepen your understanding of systems, programs, and tools.
- Take on increasingly complex tasks as you gain experience and insight.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., public administration, urban planning, information systems, business, or a similar field) preferred
- Experience:
- 1–3 years of experience supporting end users, coordinating projects, or working with business applications.
- Experience with data entry, reporting, or spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.).
- Experience in customer service, administrative support, or a program support role is helpful.
- Preferred:
- Familiarity with Quickbase or other low-code platforms.
- Experience in local government, housing, or planning programs.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Experience working in QuickBase is preferred, but technical aptitude and willingness to learn is required
- Strong interpersonal skills: empathy, patience, and clarity in communication when working with users to understand their objectives.
- Curiosity and analytical mindset—comfortable asking “why” and helping others clarify needs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with an eye for creating documentation that’s approachable and easy to follow.
- Comfortable handling multiple priorities, with a focus on delivering helpful, timely outcomes.
- Genuine interest in housing and planning systems or programs, and a desire to support these areas.
Additional Information
Salary: $45,000-$56,268
Salary cannot exceed $56,268
We’re interested in hiring the best possible candidate for the role. We recognize that experience, education, and qualifications can be attained in a variety of ways and that many skillsets are transferable. If you feel you’re a good fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.
Please include:
Please note: Applications will not be considered without a cover letter.
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
- 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 faqpchr @phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website:
http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
