Position Summary
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) seeks four (4) passionate and community-oriented individuals to serve as Illegal Dumping Park Ambassadors as part of a citywide initiative to reduce illegal dumping in public parks. This grant-funded position is a key component of an innovative, interdisciplinary program focused on prevention, enforcement, education, and community engagement in four priority park sites: Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, and Mifflin Square Park.
Illegal dumping is a persistent issue in many Philadelphia parks, particularly in communities that are historically underserved. This program aims to cut illegal dumping at target sites by 50% over two years by pairing rapid response and data-informed interventions with deep, sustained community partnerships. Park Ambassadors will be the trusted, visible presence in their assigned park area—leading outreach efforts, hosting quarterly engagement events with community groups, monitoring environmental conditions, and supporting enforcement through public education and coordination with other PPR teams.
Park Ambassadors will work in close collaboration with local environmental organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), Park Friends Groups, Recreation Outreach Workers, Environmental Education ce4nters, Advisory Councils, and other relevant stakeholders to support a culture shift in how residents view, value, and steward their parks. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer activities, organizing community meetings, distributing educational toolkits, and reporting dumping activity. Ambassadors will also receive training in conflict resolution and engagement strategies, equipping them to build meaningful relationships with residents and activate long-term change.
To support the program’s community-driven approach, applicants with lived experience in or strong connections to the neighborhoods surrounding the four priority parks are especially encouraged to apply. This may include familiarity with local organizations, experience working in or near these park spaces, or a personal investment in the well-being of these communities. PPR values the insight, trust, and relationships that locally rooted individuals bring to the role.
This role is an exciting opportunity for leaders who are passionate about environmental justice, urban greening, and public service to help shape a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming future for Philadelphia’s parks and the people who use them. Evening and weekend hours will be required.
Essential Functions
Park Presence & Community Engagement
- Serve as a consistent and welcoming presence in one of the four focus parks: Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, or Mifflin Square Park, with a preference for candidates who live nearby or have existing ties to the community.
- Organize and execute community-based activities that promote public awareness and participation in illegal dumping prevention efforts.
- Coordinate and host regular community events, including cleanups, educational workshops, resource giveaways, and tabling at neighborhood gatherings or City sponsored events.
- Distribute educational toolkits and resources to residents, businesses, and park users.
Stakeholder & Community Leadership
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement activities to foster collaboration and information sharing among partners.
- Support the facilitation and development of community leadership groups to build local capacity for preventing illegal dumping.
- Collaborate with local partners including Park Friends Groups, Recreation Outreach Workers, environmental justice organizations, Environmental Education Centers, Advisory Councils, and community-based groups to promote neighborhood-led solutions.
Monitoring, Enforcement & Cleanup
- Monitor environmental conditions and illegal dumping activity in assigned parks, including litter patterns, dumping hotspots, and damaged infrastructure.
- Collaborate with City enforcement teams to coordinate anti-dumping enforcement efforts, including issuing violations and fines in accordance with City procedures and policies.
- Assist with monitoring and managing the illegal dumping camera network to support effective surveillance and response.
- Support litter and dumping cleanup efforts, including occasional hands-on participation alongside volunteers and City crews.
- Identify potential dumping interventions and coordinate with PPR Operations teams and contractors to implement them.
Data, Reporting & Evaluation
- Track and document illegal dumping occurrences and community interventions using provided data tools.
- Aid in compiling monthly and quarterly reports summarizing initiative progress, challenges, and successes.
- Contribute to evaluation activities to assess the impact and effectiveness of interventions and provide recommendations for improvement.
Community Capacity Building
- Directly support initiatives that strengthen community capacity for long-term, place-based illegal dumping reduction and public space stewardship.
- Serve as a liaison between community members and the City, elevating local concerns and encouraging positive, community-driven behavior change.
Teamwork & Flexibility
- Attend regular team meetings and trainings in areas such as trauma-informed care, conflict de-escalation, and environmental justice.
- Maintain detailed records of outreach, enforcement, and community feedback.
- Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the broader goals of the initiative.
Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Community Engagement & Cultural Competence
- Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse communities, including residents of historically underserved neighborhoods.
- Deep understanding of and/or lived experience in one or more of the focus park communities (Tacony Creek Park, Cobbs Creek Park, Fairmount Park, Mifflin Square Park) is strongly preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and relationships with community members, stakeholders, and City staff.
Environmental Stewardship & Place-Based Work
- Basic understanding of illegal dumping issues, litter dynamics, and public space challenges in urban environments.
- Experience or interest in environmental justice, waste reduction, public health, or sustainability.
- Willingness and ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and participate in physical tasks such as litter pickup or park assessments.
Program Support & Data Literacy
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to track data, manage event logistics, and maintain accurate records.
- Comfort with using mobile devices, basic data entry tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets), and digital survey platforms.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and report data to inform program improvements and demonstrate outcomes.
Problem Solving & Adaptability
- Ability to think critically, troubleshoot issues in real-time, and propose community-informed solutions.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing field conditions, team priorities, or emergent community needs.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness and follow-through on assignments with minimal supervision.
Conflict Resolution & Enforcement Support
- Familiarity with or willingness to be trained in trauma-informed practices, de-escalation strategies, and respectful enforcement.
- Capacity to issue violations or citations in a professional and equitable manner in accordance with City protocols.
- Comfort working alongside City enforcement and compliance teams and explaining policies to residents or violators calmly and clearly.
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and across agencies or community groups.
- Commitment to shared goals and ability to represent the program with professionalism and integrity.
- Enthusiastic team player who values collective impact and community-centered work.
Language & Communication (Preferred but Not Required)
- Multilingual candidates, especially those fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Russian are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document community feedback and share information clearly.