PRESS SECRETARY

Under the executive direction of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Press Relations & Press Communications, the Press Secretary is responsible for the on-going interaction with media contacts and the coordination of all media relations for the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services.

The Office of Press Relations & Press Communications is recruiting for one (1) Deputy Director of Administration (Special Services) M-II to function as a Press Secretary, who will:

• Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner to formulate goals and sets standards for HRA/DSS media relations.
• Formulate media strategies in order to create visibility, awareness and positive perceptions of HRA; effectively publicize HRA's services, programs, initiatives, events and achievements; and promote HRA's image through print and broadcast media.
  
  

- Research and update media list, manage media database, and coordinates media outreach. -

- Be responsible for the preparation of policy statements, reports, speeches, news releases and editorial responses. -

• Be responsible for the accuracy and correctness of interpretation of information released to the media.
• Initiate print and broadcast media coverage, either serving as agency spokesperson for coordinating press inferences and interviews with the Commissioner and other key executive level staff.
• Prepare press briefings and initiate prep sessions prior to interviews and press conferences; coach and train HRA senior staff in how to respond to the media.
• Arrange and coordinate photo opportunities to highlight new programs and initiatives, executive appointments, special events and positive achievements.
• Maintain liaison with the Mayor's press office.
• Act as principal advisor to the HRA/DSS Administrator/Commissioner and senior level executive staff on matters pertaining to media relations and participates in the formulation of media relations policy and press strategies.
• Establish and maintain contact with media representatives such as editors, reporters, interviewers, researchers etc. for television, radio, newspapers, and magazines, and responds to their inquiries about specific agency related information.
• Present the agency's positions and initiatives to newspaper editorial writers and columnists.
• Interface with HRA/DSS responsibility center executive staff in order to keep abreast of current issues of import to the agency, as related to media coverage.
  
  

Work Location: 2944 – 4 World Trade Center, New York, NY

Hours/Schedule: M-F, 9-5

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and three (3) years of social work experience in a broad supervisory or administrative capacity with an acceptable agency; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of broad supervisory and administrative experience with an acceptable agency; or
• A satisfactory equivalent.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Experience interfacing with media and/or journalists. - Media literacy - Writing/ composition and editing skills - Proficiency in grammar - Familiarity with Microsoft products, such as Word, Outlook and other similar programs - General knowledge of New York City (geography, politics, and other social and civic information) - Familiarity with the profession and the materials of communications (press releases, remarks, op-eds, advisories, event briefings, and similar material) - Research skills - Attention to detail - Ability to review, analyze, summarize, and visualize data - Works well with others - Managerial/supervisory experience - Experience working with reporters, including responding to inquiries (existing relationships in media a plus, including but not limited to with editors, reporters, interviewers, researchers, for television, radio, newspapers and magazines, and more) - Experience developing/drafting strategic media and communications plans - Interest in research, messaging, and promoting/explaining policy - Experience coordinating across organizations/ working collaboratively on complex projects with a range of stakeholders
  
  

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.