Agency Description
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of her people through intentional and sustained stewardship of over 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental, and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the City’s residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other, and to fun, physical, and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.
Recreation Advisory Councils
The Recreation Advisory Council is a partnership between community members and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) created to support individual recreation centers and playgrounds. Advisory Councils work closely with staff to assist with programming, fiscal operations, fundraising, and special events.
Local Recreation Advisory Councils are composed of community residents, participants of recreation center programs, parents of participants, and facility staff. Through the Advisory Council, citizens can express their desires as to the type of relevant programming that their recreation center or playground should offer from sports, to arts, to environmental stewardship, to STEM and more.
The Advisory Council functions as a liaison between the facility staff, community, and city agencies to assure community input on a regular basis. They work in partnership with staff to serve as a source of volunteer leadership, introduce new and innovative programming, manage recreation center fiscal operations, as well as conduct fundraising activities.
Job Description
Under the direction of the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Strategy and Engagement, the Community Engagement Manager will work with individual Recreation Advisory Councils to build and strengthen them, and to manage a sustainable network of recreation volunteers.
The Community Engagement Manager is also responsible for:
- Training community members in best practices, PPR standards, processes and sustainability for recreation centers.
- Strengthening relationships with members of recreation advisory councils.
- Conflict resolution
- Acting as a liaison between the recreation center volunteers and City Council members – bringing recreation centers needs to their attention.
- Providing all underserved recreation centers with available resources and programming to meet needs defined by the community.
- Partnering with local organizations to expand the advisory councils.
- Overseeing efforts in community outreach