User Experience (UX) Designer

The Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) is the central IT agency for the City of Philadelphia headed by the Chief Information Officer (CIO). OIT oversees all major information and communications technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia - increasing the effectiveness of the information technology infrastructure, where the services provided are advanced, optimized, and responsive to the needs of the City of Philadelphia’s businesses, residents, and visitors. OIT responsibilities include: identifying the most effective approach for implementing new information technology directions throughout city government; improving the value of the city’s technology assets and the return on the city’s technology investments; ensuring data security continuity; planning for continuing operations in the event of disruption of information technology or communications services; and supporting accountable, efficient and effective government across every city department, board, commission and agency.

As a User Experience Designer, you’ll be working with various City departments to help determine product feature and interface designs on phila.gov and the City’s other digital platforms. You'll collaborate with departments across the City and collect feedback from the public to inform the development of design recommendations. Working closely with members of OIT’s Software Engineering and Content Strategy teams, you’ll help prioritize features, create prototypes, and ensure the highest quality of work. 

Please note this is not a design research position. We’re looking for visually focused user experience professionals. 

Essential functions

Designing

• Create sketches, wireframes, site maps, and other deliverables that incorporate best practices in usability, accessibility, interaction design, mobile design, and responsive strategies.
• Facilitate requirements gathering activities through a variety of methods, including needs assessments and desk research.
• Synthesize requirements into documents that clearly articulate a digital product’s features.

Collaborating 

• Lead project partners and team members through the UX design process.
• Collaborate with designers, developers, and content strategists to define product experiences that champion the user.
• Collaborate with all designers to incorporate the identity of the City into all product work.
• Participate and contribute to conversations related to UX design and project work.

Project managing

• Clearly communicate status of work to leadership, team members, and other stakeholders.
• Effectively navigate through ambiguity and project challenges.
• Deliver project work on time.
• Break down project tasks into reasonable project plans with key milestones and deadlines.

Required:

● A design-related degree or relevant industry experience.

●Ability to sketch, create concepts, wireframe, produce sitemaps and user flows, and create interactive prototypes.

●Ability to clearly express complex information through design.

●Ability to design for consistency with standards rather than creative expression.

●Ability to analyze user feedback and activity then iterate to enhance the user experience.

●Ability to clearly and effectively present ideas, research findings, sketches, and other deliverables to a range of stakeholders.

●Ability to provide and receive feedback on your own and other’s project work.

• At least two (2) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in user experience design, or a related field.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of industry and design best practices related to website and application design.
• Knowledge of human-centered design, rapid prototyping, usability, and accessibility concerns.
• Ability to design for accessibility accommodating varying ability levels.

Competencies

• Excellent communicator: Articulate jargon to general audiences (e.g., City departments and the public), explain the logic behind design decisions, craft compelling narratives about product work, write and speak clearly, and cultivate effective communication among team members.
• Relationship-builder: Work with a variety of people and personalities, listen and ask questions to identify new design opportunities, and cultivate strong relationships to ensure seamless collaboration and continued project support.
• Curious: Practice active listening, ask questions to get to the root of a problem, be open to receiving/giving constructive feedback, and have a sincere interest in learning new skills or growing old ones.
• Compassionate: Turn empathy into actionable solutions that address people’s real needs with integrity.
• Organized: Demonstrate ability to manage multiple tasks, estimate timelines, rework a project approach based on unforeseen challenges, works well under pressure, and set/meet reasonable deadlines.
• Action-oriented: Understand opportunities, navigate barriers, be self-directed, and problem solve for solutions that enhance the UX team’s deliverables, processes, and practices.
• Resilient: Have a sense of humor, learns from mistakes, and/or returns to work after experiencing a setback.

Especially strong candidates will have:

• A portfolio that demonstrates use of information synthesis and detailed design solutions.
• A personal interest in and/or perspective on the intersection of social impact and design.
• Proficiency with tools and applications that support design and prototype creation.
• Proven experience showing clear understanding of the intersection between user needs, technology requirements, and business goals.
• Extreme attention to detail with a focus on efficiency.
• Experience with Figma and Design Systems

Salary: $75,000-$83,000

Salary cannot exceed $83,000

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:

• Resume
• A cover letter explaining why you’re passionate about participating in the design of the City of Philadelphia’s digital presence.
• At least three samples of work relevant to the position.

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