Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Communications

City of New York•New York City, NY

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

The New York City Board of Correction (“BOC” or the “Board”) is a nine-person, non-judicial oversight board, which regulates, monitors, and inspects the correctional facilities of the City. Established in 1957, BOC is one of the earliest independent oversight boards of custodial and detention settings in the United States. The Mayor, City Council and presiding justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the First and Second Judicial Departments (in joint nomination with the Mayor) appoint its members. The City Charter mandates the Board’s five functions: - Establish and ensure compliance with minimum standards for the care, custody, correction, treatment, supervision, and discipline of all persons held or confined under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction (“DOC” or the “Department”); - Investigate serious incidents; - Review grievances from people in custody and staff; - Evaluate the performance of the Department of Correction; and - Make recommendations on areas of key correctional planning. With offices in lower Manhattan and on Rikers Island, BOC works regularly with DOC and Correctional Health Services (“CHS”), and often with other government and external partners, on a wide range of criminal justice issues germane to its oversight responsibilities. The Board brings to this work a strong emphasis on public reporting and data-driven decision making. BOC seeks an enthusiastic, high-energy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Communications, who, under the direction of the General Counsel, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent action and decision-making, will develop and manage all matters regarding the agency’s communications strategy, Board management, and intergovernmental affairs.

Requirements

A Juris Doctor or Graduate Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration, and at least four (4) years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in a responsible executive, managerial, administrative or supervisory capacity; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and at least six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or
Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above.
All candidates must have at least eighteen (18) months of executive, managerial, administrative or supervisory experience as described in “1” above.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills, and a strong customer-service approach.
High level of comfort with presenting findings to groups and interacting with staff members on a range of levels.
Commitment to BOC’s mission and to excellence in public management.
Familiarity with local government structure and elected officials’ offices.
Experience working with New York City based media.
Knowledge of the New York City criminal justice system.
Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, problem solve, prioritize duties, balance competing priorities, work independently, and within a fast-paced environment, paying close attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
Expertise and experience handling sensitive and controversial issues.
Highly collaborative style, high energy, initiative, maturity, and leadership skills.
Confidentiality and Discretion - Must possess a high level of integrity and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
Proficient in Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

Work closely and collaboratively with all BOC teams to coordinate communication and meetings with various stakeholders.
Assist with preparation of testimony and background materials for City Council oversight and budget hearings.
Review and prepare comments on relevant legislative proposals.
Proactively develop the Board’s legislative agenda and propose legislation that positively impacts BOC’s oversight authority.
Assist in the successful identification of meeting spaces that allow for hybrid remote and in-person public Board meetings.
Coordinate intergovernmental/public affairs activities with other agencies and organizations.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge base on critical issues in correctional and criminal justice reform and policy.
Ensure materials provided to the jails for use of people in custody and DOC staff in the jails, including Minimum Standards, are accessible, up to date, and accurate.
Develop and maintain relationships with DOC, CHS, elected officials, advocates, and community-based organizations on behalf of BOC.
Manage special projects and initiatives as assigned, including serving as the agency’s Records Management Officer.
Onboard new Board Members
Oversee all Board meetings (typically monthly), including agenda preparation, meeting materials, and coordination with relevant agencies.
Manage Board Member materials in advance of every public meeting.
Prepare and produce various confidential reports and documents, including original research and briefing sheets, compiling/reformatting materials, and assisting with Board mailing distributions.
Oversee all communications and press-related items for the Board.
Draft internal and external communications, including brochures, posters, press releases, reports, and other materials.
Serve as agency contact and spokesperson for press and for coordination with press offices of other city agencies.
Maintain the agency website, including producing content.
Prepare briefing materials, speeches, statements, and talking points, and compile background information in a timely fashion.
Prepare Executive Director and General Counsel for internal and external meetings, attend meetings and conduct follow-up on the Executive Director and/or General Counsel’s behalf.
Other duties as assigned.