Accountable Automation: Turning AI into an Ally, Not a Risk
AI can make work faster, but without accountability, it can also make mistakes faster. The cities getting it right- like San José and Seattle- treat automation as a teammate, not a takeover. They build clear human checkpoints, train systems with clean data, and refine decisions through feedback. The result? Smarter, fairer, more reliable outcomes. The real breakthrough in AI isn’t intelligence- it’s responsibility.
Building AI-Driven Workflows with Accountability
Once escalation paths are clearly defined, automation becomes a tool for consistency rather than a liability. In my experience deploying AI-powered service triage systems, the most effective implementations started with mapping human responsibilities before introducing any automation. Systems that merely replicated existing inefficiencies at scale failed to deliver value. For example, one helpdesk tool auto-assigned tickets based on keyword matching, but without human oversight, it misrouted a substantial volume of requests. By refining the decision logic to include contextual rules and fallback cycles, and embedding human review for outliers, we significantly improved resolution accuracy.
AI succeeds when it augments structured workflows. Municipal agencies experimenting with AI chatbots for citizen inquiries have seen the best results when staff are trained to review unresolved conversations daily and update the underlying knowledge base accordingly. This feedback loop transforms AI into an adaptive service assistant rather than a static script. The City of San José, for instance, developed an AI-based virtual agent for handling common resident questions. By assigning staff to review unanswered queries and refine responses weekly, they improved answer accuracy and resident satisfaction over time1. Similarly, the City of Raleigh piloted an AI chatbot to help residents navigate pandemic-related resources. The team integrated a human-in-the-loop process where public information officers reviewed flagged questions daily, resulting in a 25 percent increase in the bot’s resolution rate within the first two months.
Data Quality: The Foundation of Effective AI
No AI system outperforms the quality of the data it relies on. In public-facing services, data gaps and inconsistent formats are common. When we attempted predictive analytics in a permitting process, the underlying data had been entered inconsistently over several years. This led to unreliable model outputs. Only after standardizing historical records and instituting structured data entry protocols did the AI model start providing useful insights. The lesson: AI implementation must be preceded by a data audit and cleanup phase, particularly in legacy systems where records may lack uniformity or completeness.
AI projects in government settings often falter because agencies underestimate the effort required to prepare data. The U.S. General Services Administration emphasizes the importance of data governance and stewardship in AI adoption, noting that success relies more on disciplined data practices than on algorithms themselves2. Agencies should prioritize metadata tagging, establish data dictionaries, and enforce input validation rules before training any model. Skipping these steps introduces volatility into systems that rely on pattern recognition and historical inference. For example, the City of Chicago’s Department of Public Health launched a predictive model to identify at-risk buildings for lead exposure. However, early iterations misfired due to fragmented datasets from different departments. Only after merging and reconciling those sources did the model provide actionable predictions that inspectors could trust.
Human Judgment as the Failsafe in AI Applications
AI tools can process vast information quickly, but they lack contextual awareness and ethical reasoning. In my current work, we use AI to flag anomalies in procurement data, such as sudden spikes in vendor payments. However, final decisions are made by trained analysts who review flagged transactions. This hybrid model balances efficiency with accountability. It also helps build trust among both staff and stakeholders, who are often wary of opaque decision-making systems. Anomalies may be legitimate or the result of policy changes, which only a human observer can accurately interpret.
The Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor uses AI to identify patterns in public assistance fraud, but always pairs these findings with manual case investigations before taking action3. This shows that AI should serve as an early warning system, not a final arbiter. For government practitioners, designing workflows where AI provides decision support rather than decision authority is critical. Escalation protocols, review checkpoints, and training for interpretive judgment must all be built into the system from the start. A similar approach has been adopted by the City of Seattle, where AI is used to monitor police body camera footage for policy violations. Flagged clips are reviewed by internal affairs personnel, ensuring decisions remain grounded in professional discretion and legal context.
Incremental Rollouts and Cross-Functional Collaboration
AI implementation should be phased, not launched in one sweep. When we introduced automated classification in a document routing system, we started with a single department and monitored false positive rates weekly. Staff provided real-time annotations on misclassified documents, which we used to retrain the model. Only after achieving a stable 90 percent accuracy rate did we expand to other departments. This incremental approach allowed us to build confidence among users and refine performance before scaling. It also gave us time to document edge cases and update training materials accordingly.
Cross-functional collaboration is another requirement for AI adoption. Technical teams often lack operational context, while program staff may not fully understand algorithmic constraints. Successful projects bring these groups together from the beginning. The City of Los Angeles, during its predictive analytics pilot for housing code violations, formed an interdisciplinary team of data scientists, inspectors, and legal advisors to co-design the model and its use cases4. This collaborative model ensured the tool aligned with policy intent, legal standards, and staff workflows. Likewise, in Austin, Texas, the city’s Innovation Office partnered with the Watershed Protection Department and local universities to pilot an AI tool for flood risk prediction. The collaboration ensured that hydrologists, emergency planners, and engineers all contributed to model development and assessment criteria, improving both model relevance and stakeholder buy-in.
Maintenance and Lifecycle Planning
AI tools are not one-time deployments. They require continuous tuning, retraining, and integration with evolving business processes. One of our early models, built to predict customer service call volumes, lost accuracy within six months due to changes in service offerings. Without scheduled retraining and feedback mechanisms, even high-performing models degrade over time. Agencies must budget not just for development, but also for ongoing maintenance. This includes allocating staff to monitor model drift, update training data, and manage version control.
Lifecycle planning is particularly important in government settings, where policy shifts and budget cycles can affect data patterns. The National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends periodic validation of AI models to ensure they continue to meet operational expectations and legal compliance5. Agencies should establish sunset reviews for AI systems, similar to those used for legislation or capital projects, to assess whether the tool still delivers value or requires redesign. For instance, New York City’s Automated Decision Systems Task Force recommended regular audits of AI tools used in areas like housing eligibility and school admissions. Their report underscored the need for ongoing review structures to ensure fairness, transparency, and responsiveness as models encounter new data and policy landscapes.
Bibliography
Minor, Emily. 2023. "San José’s Digital Assistant Learns from Resident Feedback." Center for Digital Government. https://www.govtech.com/civic/san-joses-digital-assistant-learns-from-resident-feedback.
General Services Administration. 2021. "Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence: AI Guide for Government." U.S. GSA. https://coe.gsa.gov/initiatives/ai-guide.html.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 2022. "Office of the State Auditor: Annual Report." https://www.mass.gov/doc/2022-annual-report/download.
Gonzalez, Roberto, et al. 2020. "Predictive Analytics for Code Enforcement in Los Angeles." Harvard Kennedy School Data-Smart City Solutions. https://datasmart.ash.harvard.edu/news/article/predictive-analytics-code-enforcement-los-angeles.
National Institute of Standards and Technology. 2023. "AI Risk Management Framework." U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework.
More from Artificial Intelligence
Explore related articles on similar topics
Top Paying Jobs in Artificial Intelligence
Highest paying opportunities related to this article
ABOUT THE ROLE This position is within the Legal Services Division of the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority (DCHBX). The incumbent provides legal consultation to the HBX Board of Directors, Senior Management, and staff. The role specifically oversees the agency's privacy and security processes, ensures compliance with District and federal laws, and advises leadership on the adoption, governance, and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as a key advisor to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Executive Director on privacy, security, AI, and other policy matters. - Act as lead agency counsel on privacy and security, developing policies, monitoring legal changes, overseeing incident protocols, and delivering training. - Serve as staff lead for the agency AI governance committee, supporting the development and maintenance of AI governance frameworks, policies, and controls. - Advise on AI risk identification, mitigation strategies, human oversight, testing protocols, and review proposed AI use cases for bias and risks. - Research and prepare responses to sensitive inquiries from Congress, the Mayor, Council members, media, and the public. - Prepare testimony for senior management for public hearings before the Council of the District of Columbia and congressional committees. - Prepare legal documents, summary analyses, and policy recommendations on complex and urgent matters. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. - Active membership in the District of Columbia Bar. - At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Tour of Duty: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. - Pay Plan, Series, Grade: LA-0905-15. - Security Sensitive: Subject to enhanced suitability screening, requiring successful passage of a criminal background and consumer credit check, with periodic checks during tenure. - Residency Requirement: Applicants claiming Residency Preference must maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven years. SELECTION PROCESS - Area of Consideration: Open to the Public. - Candidates will be evaluated based on specialized experience and alignment with the required qualifications. - Final selection is contingent upon successfully passing enhanced suitability screening, including criminal background and consumer credit checks. HOW TO APPLY 1. Submit an application through the official District of Columbia government job portal. 2. Ensure all required documentation reflecting specialized experience and qualifications is accurately detailed. 3. Apply before the closing date of August 22, 2026. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority (DCHBX) - Location: 1225 I Street, NW, Washington, DC - Job Type: Full-Time, Regular, Legal Service - Regular Appointment - Job ID: 33004 - Grade: 15 - Bargaining Unit: Not part of a collective bargaining unit - Opening Date: 07/24/2026 - Closing Date: 08/22/2026
ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Manager of Information Security Programs within the Security Technology and Programs Department, this role plays a key part in adopting and maturing the agency's Information Security Program. The specialist will own policy, training, risk, and governance frameworks, partnering with Departmental Information Security Officers to ensure consistent implementation. Additionally, the role involves researching, developing, and managing an Artificial Intelligence security program for the Office of the Chief Security Officer across a large, complex, and operationally intensive environment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Build and mature the Information Security Program through strong governance, automation, and continuous improvement - Elevate Information Security awareness and strengthen relationships with Departmental Information Security Officers and Security Information Managers - Review agency presentations, drawings, and documents to ensure protected information is not exposed before external distribution - Develop agency-wide training for the Information Security Handbook - Manage AI and cybersecurity risks by anticipating threats, assessing controls, and driving practical mitigations - Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies alongside agency innovation initiatives - Assist with Insider Risk, SAFETY Act applications, security governance, and business continuity programs MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Technology, Law, Public Administration, Cybersecurity, or a related field - At least 3 years of experience in information security, technology, risk management, or program management - Demonstrated experience in information security, risk analysis, or security governance within a large or complex organization - Demonstrated experience collaborating with diverse technical, operational, and external stakeholders - Strong ownership mindset, proactive problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive initiatives across multiple departments SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must undergo and clear a background investigation conducted by the Port Authority Police Department - Remote work is permitted a maximum of one day per week; regular in-office or team collaboration days are required based on business needs - Location flexibility: Can be based in New York or New Jersey depending on the selected candidate's preference SELECTION PROCESS - Initial phone interview for qualified candidates - In-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s) - Conditional job offer followed by a mandatory background check HOW TO APPLY - Submit a resume through the official Port Authority of New York and New Jersey careers portal by clicking the "Apply Now" button - Only applicants under consideration will be contacted EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Job ID: 64371 - Department: Security Technology & Programs - Employer: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - Work Location: Jersey City, NJ (or New York, based on candidate preference) - Telework: Hybrid (Maximum one day per week remote) - Job Type: Full-Time
ABOUT THE ROLE The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is recruiting a Special Assistant to the Commissioner to support the day-to-day operations of the Commissioner's Office. This role ensures effective coordination of priorities, information, and activities across the agency. The Special Assistant provides administrative and operational support, manages scheduling, information management, and meeting preparation, and serves as a key coordination point between the Commissioner's Office, internal teams, and external stakeholders. The position may also support projects aimed at improving efficiency and coordination, including the use of technology and emerging tools such as artificial intelligence. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Support the day-to-day management of the Commissioner's calendar, including scheduling meetings and coordinating logistics. - Prepare, review, and organize materials for meetings, briefings, and external engagements, including agendas and background documents. - Track follow-up items and help ensure timely responses to requests and inquiries. - Support projects focused on improving workflows and coordination, including the use of technology and AI tools. - Serve as a key point of contact between the Commissioner's Office, internal teams, and external stakeholders, including nonprofit providers and other City agencies. - Support the flow and organization of information to and from the Commissioner's Office to ensure clarity and accessibility. - Provide coordination support during meetings, site visits, and external events, including accompanying the Commissioner as needed. - Support the preparation of materials in coordination with the Strategic Communications team to align messaging. - Assist with organizing documents, files, and systems to improve efficiency and accessibility of information. - Exercise discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive or confidential information. - Work closely with the Commissioner's scheduler and executive staff across City Hall and partner agencies to arrange meetings and events. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and three years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience, one year of which must have been in a high-level administrative capacity or supervising staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or 2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the high-level administrative capacity experience described in 1 above; or 3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience including one year of the administrative experience as described in 1 above. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail. - Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and respond to changing priorities. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. - Comfort working with technology tools, data organization systems, and emerging AI tools to improve efficiency. - High level of discretion and professionalism. - Experience working in government, nonprofit, or public service settings, including familiarity with community-based organizations, is preferred. - New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment (exceptions may apply for City employees with 2 continuous years of service). SELECTION PROCESS - No Exam Required. - Selection will be based on the evaluation of application materials and standard interview processes for non-competitive civil service titles. HOW TO APPLY - Applications must be submitted online through the official NYC Careers portal. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) - Department: Commissioner's Office - Location: NYC-ALL BOROS (Work location: 2 Lafayette St., N.Y.) - Job Type: Full-Time - Job ID: 776799 - Title Code: 95700 - Civil Service Title: Executive Assistant to the Com - Business Title: Special Assistant To The Commissioner - Title Classification: Non-Competitive-5 - Experience Level: Executive - Job Level: M4 - Number of Positions: 1 - Posted Date: 07/23/2026 - Closing Date: 09/21/2026 - Category: Administration & Human Resources
ABOUT THE ROLE The Director, Commercial Data Management and Analysis supports the Airport's Commercial Division by leading data strategy, governance, and analysis initiatives across parking, ground transportation, concessions, advertising, property development, and tenant lease agreements at PHL and PNE. This position serves a dual function: advancing the Commercial team's business intelligence capabilities and improving data hygiene, storage, and usability related to leases and agreements. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Develop dashboards and reporting tools to help team members evaluate the performance of their business areas - Translate data insights into strategic recommendations and operational improvements - Support decision-making across multiple verticals, including parking, concessions, advertising, terminal and ground leases, air cargo, and aviation activity trends - Evaluate and recommend systems and tools for storing, organizing, and retrieving lease and agreement data - Standardize data entry, storage, retention, and reporting practices across the Commercial Division - Create processes for organizing terminal space leases, ground leases, third-party development agreements, and concessions contracts - Explore the beneficial uses of AI platforms to analyze and present relevant data - Provide training and guidance on data usage and tool adoption to colleagues with varying degrees of data fluency - Partner with the IT Department to ensure data pipelines are robust and reliable - Represent the Commercial Team in cross-departmental data governance committees and initiatives MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Data Science, Economics, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field. 2. Five or more years of experience in business intelligence, data analysis, or operations, preferably within a public agency or airport environment. 3. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple data sources and produce actionable insights. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Experience with digital tools for lease and contract management is a plus - Analytical expertise in extracting, analyzing, and visualizing commercial data to identify trends and performance drivers - Tool proficiency in SQL, Power BI, Tableau, and Excel, with a strong understanding of data modeling, relational databases, and ETL workflows - Entrepreneurial and process-oriented mindset with the ability to build new workflows and procedures from scratch - Must establish and maintain residency in the city of Philadelphia within six months of appointment - Must obtain a Security Badge and pass and maintain SIDA and AOA clearance as a condition of employment SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application Review: Evaluation of the submitted resume to ensure minimum qualifications and experience are met. 2. Interview and Assessment: Standard City of Philadelphia hiring procedures to assess data management, analytics, and leadership skills. HOW TO APPLY 1. Submit a resume through the official City of Philadelphia careers portal. 2. Ensure your resume clearly details your relevant experience in business intelligence, data analysis, and operations. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport - Residency Requirement: Must establish and maintain residency in the city of Philadelphia within six months of hire - Security Requirement: Must pass and maintain SIDA and AOA clearance and obtain a Security Badge - Benefits: Unlimited free SEPTA public transportation, 8 weeks paid parental leave, comprehensive health coverage, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, generous retirement savings, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and tuition discounts and scholarships ranging from 10% to 40% - Equal Employment Opportunity: The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer
ABOUT THE ROLE The Office of the Comptroller’s Bureau of Information Systems is seeking an IT Service Delivery Manager to lead and manage the organization’s IT support operations. This role ensures high-quality technical support and excellent customer service for end users by overseeing service desk staff, incident management processes, and service delivery performance. The manager will drive continuous improvement initiatives, implement ITIL-based processes, and integrate AI tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance efficiency and user experience. This position is open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent Civil Service title of Computer Systems Manager or those reachable on the civil service list for that title. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Service Desk Operations - Manage daily operations of the IT Service Desk, ensuring timely resolution of incidents and service requests - Monitor ticket queues, escalation processes, and service level agreement (SLA) compliance - Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality customer support across all channels Team Leadership & Management - Lead, mentor, coach, and evaluate service desk analysts and support staff - Schedule staffing coverage to meet operational needs - Conduct performance reviews and support professional development plans Incident & Problem Management - Oversee major incident response and communication processes - Coordinate escalations with infrastructure, application, security, and vendor teams - Analyze recurring issues and implement root cause solutions Customer Service & User Support - Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction through responsive support - Act as an escalation point for complex or high-priority issues - Gather and review user feedback to improve service quality Reporting & Metrics - Track and report on service desk KPIs - Prepare operational reports for IT leadership and stakeholders Process Improvement & ITSM - Implement and improve ITIL-based service management processes - Maintain and optimize ticketing and knowledge management systems - Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency Technology & Vendor Coordination - Collaborate with internal IT teams and third-party vendors to resolve issues - Assist with onboarding new technologies and support processes - Ensure proper asset tracking and support documentation MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must meet one of the following criteria: 1. A master's degree in computer science plus three years of progressively responsible full-time IT experience (including applications development, systems development, data communications, networking, database administration, data processing, or user services). At least 18 months must be in an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory capacity. 2. A baccalaureate degree plus four years of progressively responsible full-time IT experience as described above. 3. A four-year high school diploma (or equivalent) plus six years of progressively responsible full-time IT experience as described above. 4. A satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to options 1, 2, or 3. All candidates must have at least a high school diploma and three years of relevant experience, including 18 months in an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory role. PREFERRED SKILLS - Experience managing hybrid or remote support teams - Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Active Directory, networking, endpoint management, and cybersecurity fundamentals - Experience with SLA management and KPI reporting - ITIL Foundation certification SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Eligibility: Open only to current City of New York employees serving in a permanent Civil Service title of Computer Systems Manager or those reachable on the civil service list for that title. - Application Requirement: Applicants must clearly indicate their current permanent Civil Service title and/or their score and list number on the open competitive list for Computer Systems Manager on their resume and cover letter. - Exam May Be Required - 55-a Program: Open to qualified persons with disabilities eligible for the 55-a Program. Indicate intent at the top of resume and cover letter. - Residency: New York City residency is not required. SELECTION PROCESS - Standard city hiring processes apply. - Submission of a resume is not a guarantee of an interview. HOW TO APPLY - Apply via the city jobs portal using Job ID 785030 - Application deadline: Posted until 09/06/2026 EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Department: BIST-Service Desk, Office of the Comptroller - Location: Manhattan, NY (1 Centre St.) - Type: Full-Time - Experience Level: Manager - Job Level: M2 - Number of Positions: 1 - Benefits: Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and state repayment assistance programs.
ABOUT THE ROLE The Manager, Open Data and Analytics leads the Open Data and analytic efforts for the City of Cleveland in the Office of Urban Analytics and Innovation (Urban AI), reporting to the Director. This role enables improved decision-making through data analytics, increases transparency and quality control through data access, and establishes data governance. The team is responsible for fostering a culture of data and continuous improvement to modernize City Hall, improve operations, and better deliver services to residents. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Define and lead complex, cross-departmental analytics and data projects to successful completion - Develop and launch complex analytic solutions supporting city strategic initiatives - Oversee operations of the city's Open Data Portal and plan for continuous improvement - Support city departments in using analytic tools such as Power BI and GIS - Develop and implement change management strategies to maximize employee adoption of data products - Facilitate community engagement and awareness of City data initiatives through partnerships, nonprofits, and hackathons - Serve as the liaison to city staff, departments, consultants, and senior management - Act as team lead and people manager for data and analytics staff in Urban AI - Manage city-wide data and analytics projects, determining tools, scope, timeline, and team members - Execute projects efficiently, measuring performance using appropriate project management tools - Partner with Innovation and Process Improvement leaders on complex, process-driven projects - Implement data management systems and processes with the city-wide Data Warehouse team - Baseline initiatives against industry best practices and peer cities - Supervise planning, analysis, coordination, implementation, and documentation of departmental activities - Monitor project timelines, expenditures, and prepare reports regarding program activities and operational issues MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university - Substitution: Two years of equivalent education, training, and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking - Substitution: A project or program management certification may substitute for up to two years of college education - Five years of full-time paid experience in program or project management, administrative operations, or a related field - Proficiency in the use of computers and common office software applications - Strong written, verbal, organizational, communication, and time management skills SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must be able to lift and carry a minimum of thirty (30) pounds - Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required - Experience with analytic tools such as Power BI, Tableau, GIS, R Studio, or Shiny - Experience with programming languages such as SQL, Python, or R (preferred) - Proven self-management and team-management skills with a customer-oriented attitude - Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects across multiple departments, including monitoring budgets and timelines - Preferred: Local government experience, prior experience as a people manager or team lead, and project management or program administration experience SELECTION PROCESS Not specified in the provided job description. HOW TO APPLY Not explicitly specified in the provided text. Applicants should refer to the official City of Cleveland careers portal and search for Job Number 10829-HR before the closing date. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Cleveland - Job Type: Full-time - Job Number: 10829-HR - Department: 1601 - Innovation & Technology - Division: 160104 - Urban AI - Location: 1601 - Innovation & Technology, Cleveland, OH - Opening Date: 07/23/2026 - Closing Date: 08/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
ABOUT THE ROLE The Product Services and Technical Portfolio Project Manager serves as a primary department-facing advisor for the Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) at the City of Philadelphia. This role is responsible for understanding business needs, documenting operational challenges, recommending available technology services, and coordinating solution delivery through OIT’s approved platforms. The position acts as a liaison between city departments and OIT technical teams, translating business needs into clear requirements, tracking requests through completion, and ensuring departments receive responsive and professional support. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as the primary relationship contact for assigned departments - Conduct recurring check-ins to understand current needs, future priorities, and operational challenges - Lead discovery sessions to identify business needs, process challenges, manual workflows, and reporting needs - Document current-state processes and desired future-state outcomes - Use the OIT service catalog to identify available services and validate options to avoid duplicative technology - Help departments understand low-code, CRM, workflow automation, dashboard, reporting, and AI-assisted technology options - Coordinate with Technical Specialists, service owners, cybersecurity, and data governance teams to validate platform fit - Track requests from initial discovery through recommendation, approval, implementation, testing, launch, and post-implementation review - Identify opportunities to streamline department operations and recommend process improvements - Maintain accurate records of department meetings, needs assessments, solution recommendations, and implementation status MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Strong relationship management and customer service skills 2. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders 3. Ability to understand department operations and translate business needs into clear requirements 4. Knowledge of IT service delivery, service catalogs, business analysis, workflow improvement, and technology enablement 5. Functional knowledge of low-code, CRM, workflow automation, dashboard, reporting, and business application platforms 6. Ability to gather platform-neutral business requirements before recommending a specific tool 7. Ability to explain technology options clearly to non-technical department users 8. Understanding of basic technology governance, data sensitivity, security, user access, and supportability considerations 9. Strong facilitation, interviewing, writing, documentation, and follow-up skills 10. Ability to manage multiple department relationships and competing priorities (Note: Preferred experience includes business relationship management, IT service delivery, project coordination, and experience with tools like Quickbase, Microsoft Power Platform, Salesforce, or ServiceNow) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must become a resident of the City of Philadelphia within six months of hire - Vaccinations are no longer required for new employees in non-medical, non-emergency, or non-patient-facing positions SELECTION PROCESS - Applications are evaluated based on experience, education, and transferable skillsets - Applications will not be considered without a cover letter - 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 HOW TO APPLY 1. Submit a complete application through the designated portal 2. Attach a current resume 3. Attach a cover letter (mandatory for consideration) EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Philadelphia, Office of Innovation & Technology (OIT) - Job Type: Full-time - Benefits: Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, generous retirement savings options, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualification, and a 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses/dependents) in partnership with area colleges and universities
ABOUT THE ROLE Salem State University seeks a collaborative scholar with expertise in GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence) for a temporary, full-time role beginning in Fall 2027. The successful candidate will study climate science, climate resilience, and spatial data science to address pressing socio-environmental challenges. This role involves teaching, advising, scholarship, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the department and university in a collegial and collaborative environment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Perform duties in accordance with the MSCA contract, including teaching, advising, scholarship, and service - Teach a standard load of 12 credit hours per semester - Develop an undergraduate GeoAI course to support majors and minors entering the workforce - Mentor students in applied geospatial research and professional settings - Support an inclusive learning environment and work effectively with students from varied backgrounds MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - PhD in Geography or a related field - Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate weather and climate courses or closely related physical geography courses - Demonstrated experience applying machine learning or AI methods to environmental, climate, or geospatial datasets SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Position is temporary and subject to available funding; renewal in future academic years is possible but not guaranteed - Must be able to work onsite with on-campus, in-person responsibilities (not eligible for hybrid work schedule) - Employment is contingent upon a completed background and CORI check satisfactory to the university - This position is not eligible for H1B visa sponsorship - Salem State University does not partner with or accept candidates from outside staffing agencies SELECTION PROCESS - Review of submitted application materials (CV, cover letter, unofficial transcripts) - Completed background and CORI check HOW TO APPLY - DO NOT APPLY ON MASSCAREERS. Applications submitted on MassCareers will not be considered. - Apply online exclusively on the Salem State Career site. - Attach a CV, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts to the application. - For ADA accommodation requests, email eo-hr@salemstate.edu. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Location: 352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA, United States - Agency: Salem State College (Salem State University) - Job Type: Full-time, Day Shift, Temporary - Number of Openings: 1 - Start Date: Fall 2027 - Work Schedule: Onsite, in-person responsibilities only (No hybrid eligibility) - The university is an equal opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), considering all qualified candidates without regard to protected characteristics.