Director of Community Affairs, Office of External Affairs/Bureau of Government Affairs

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

5d

About The Position

The Office of External Affairs oversees many of the agency's most critical interactions with the public, from raising awareness and promoting healthy behaviors to advancing policies and responding to health emergencies. The office serves as the agency's in-house publisher, advertiser and marketer of trendsetting, culturally responsive campaigns and initiatives, maintains a strong digital presence both web and social media, oversees press relations and government affairs. The Bureau of Government Affairs is responsible for coordinating all interactions between the Department, other government entities, and the City, State, and Federal legislative bodies and elected officials. Intergovernmental Affairs assists in developing policies that improve the regulatory, administrative, and funding environments for health and mental hygiene.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and five years of full-time paid experience acquired within the last fifteen years, of supervisory or administrative experience including handling of business promotion or urban economic problems, at least 2 years of which must have been in a managerial or executive capacity with primary focus on business promotion or urban economic planning; or
• A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However all candidates must have 2 years of managerial or executive experience as described in "1" above. Appropriate graduate study in an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general experience on a year-for-year basis. All candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent writing, editing and interpersonal skills
• Sound judgement and equanimity in high-pressure situations
• Ability to handle multiple deadline assignments in a quickly changing environment
• An understanding of public health issues and the ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies at all levels
• Proficiency in other languages will be strongly considered.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for engaging elected officials, community boards, community-based organizations and partners and serving as liaison to our program staff.
• Represent the Department and speak publicly about Department policies and programs, disseminate information vital to effective functioning of agency programs.
• Ensure the inquiries from local elected officials and community organizations are responded to quickly and accurately.
• Manage a staff of community liaisons (5) to ensure proper follow-up to inquiries, attendance of community meetings and linking staff to proper internal resources to maximize outreach and engagement potential.
• Advise senior staff including the Assistant Commissioner of Government Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs, other agency Deputy Commissioners and the Commissioner of Health on political and community concerns.
• Work closely with Inter-Governmental Affairs, Press, Communications and Marketing.
• Engage in readiness and preparedness for public health emergency response.
• Advance the Department's work on health equity and narrowing the gaps of health disparities.

Benefits

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program and
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees