Graphic Artist, OLS

City of New York•New York City, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Transportation Planning and Management (TPM) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods on the City's streets, supporting the larger goals of economic and social vitality for people living, working, and doing business in New York City. The Office of Livable Streets (OLS) is tasked with prioritizing strategic planning, community engagement, research, policy, design, implementation, and long-term management. Their goal is to create streets that are livable, supporting safety, accessibility, inclusion, resiliency, active modes, community cohesion, and economic vitality citywide. Additionally, they aim to enhance New York City's pedestrian, bicycle, and micromobility networks, providing comfortable, connected, green, and reliable transportation options across the five boroughs. They place special emphasis on Priority Investment Areas, mode shift, and reimagining streets. The office also develops innovative new programs, design typologies, project delivery, and analysis tools to meet the demands of a rapidly changing population with evolving needs and technologies. The Cycling & Micromobility Unit is responsible for the nation's largest network of on-street bicycle facilities (1,200+ lane-miles), enhancing street safety for all users, and increasing bike ridership in the five boroughs. The team's focus is the innovative redesign of city streets to expand and improve the bike network, with emphasis on improving connectivity between neighborhoods, increasing access to safe bicycle infrastructure across the city, and creating a more equitable transportation network that serves all New Yorkers. The Cycling & Micromobility Unit seeks to hire a creative Graphic Artist to support visual storytelling, content development, and digital asset management. This role requires hands-on experience translating complex transportation planning and public engagement concepts into clear, accessible visuals that support citywide cycling encouragement and outreach efforts. Under the guidance of senior staff, the selected candidate will contribute to both field-based and office-based work, supporting community engagement documentation and the development of visual materials such as graphics, illustrations, videos, and storytelling content. The role is well suited for someone with strong graphic design and illustration skills, an interest in learning new creative tools and formats, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across projects and disciplines.

Requirements

Serving permanently in the title of Graphic Artist, or reachable on the civil service list for exam #4123, or eligible under the 55a program.
A baccalaureate degree, with a major in fine or graphic arts, from an accredited college and one year of full-time paid experience as a commercial or graphic artist; or
A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent plus two years of training in a technical school approved by a state’s Department of Education or comparable governmental agency, in oils, water colors, painting, design, black and white, layout, computer graphics, and other art media, and three years of acceptable full-time paid experience as a commercial or graphic artist.
To be qualified for assignment to Assignment Level II, individuals must have: (a) at least one year of experience as a Graphic Artist, Assignment Level I; or (b) the Qualification Requirements described in "1" or "2" above, plus two additional years of acceptable specialized paid experience conceptualizing and initiating graphic art projects.
New hires must reside in NYC for the first two years of employment.

Nice To Haves

BFA in graphic design or related art/design degree
Professional graphic design work experience
Superior graphic design ability and an excellent print/web portfolio
Extensive knowledge of graphic design, typography, color theory, digital printing process, and Fiery output
Expert in graphic design for social media and web
Understanding of user interface and web technologies
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
Proficiency in relational databases (such as Microsoft Access)
Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) for mapping and spatial visualization
Proficiency in visualization and presentation tools (e.g., Figma, Canva, or similar platforms)
Basic video editing tools (Adobe Premiere Pro or equivalent)
File and digital asset management systems (shared drives, DAM platforms, or similar systems)
Experience with motion graphics, animations, and video editing
Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript (not mandatory but preferred)
Knowledge of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Excellent organizational skills and an ability to focus on details and respond quickly to requests
Strong analytical/critical thinking skills
Ability to write and communicate clearly
Excellent time-management skills
Demonstrated interest in cycling and the built environment of NYC
Willingness to work in the field in all seasons, traveling by bike, walking, or using mass transit

Responsibilities

Develop visual communications and outreach materials supporting cycling activation programs, public engagement, and neighborhood planning.
Translate transportation planning concepts into straightforward visual content for diverse audiences, adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Work closely with other Units on the development, production, and distribution of the NYC Bike Map.
Develop visual storytelling products, including illustrated narratives, explainer graphics, presentations, and conceptual storyboards for C&M campaigns.
Produce motion graphics and animations, print and digital materials, including maps, reports, signage, web content, posters, flyers, brochures, postcards, ads, diagrams, and other public-facing and internal assets.
Manage the Unit's official project imagery, including organizing, editing, and creating before-and-after visual documentation of projects in line with divisional recordkeeping practices.
Document project implementation and community outreach through photography and short-form video.
Recommend effective visual communication approaches for transportation safety and street improvement projects across platforms.
Coordinating with the Communications & Press Division, work on C&M's branding, data visualization, and visual storytelling strategies.
Support creative communications projects and additional visual design across the Unit as required.