Deputy Press Secretary, Bureau of Communications

Agency Description

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (the NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the country. Our mission is to protect and improve the health of all New Yorkers, in service of a vision of a city in which all New Yorkers can realize their full health potential, regardless of who they are, how old they are, where they are from, or where they live.

As a world-renowned public health agency with a history of building transformative public health programming and infrastructure, innovating in science and scholarship to advance public health knowledge, and responding to urgent public health crises from New York City’s yellow fever outbreak in 1822, to the COVID-19 pandemic we are a hub for public health innovation, expertise, and programs, and services. We serve as the population health strategist, and policy, and planning authority for the City of New York, while also having a vast impact on national and international public policy, including programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and racial and social justice work, among others.

Our Agency’s five strategic priorities, building off a recently-completed strategic planning process emerging from the COVID-19 emergency, are:

• To re-envision how the Health Department prepares for and responds to health emergencies, with a focus on building a “response-ready” organization, with faster decision-making, transparent public communications, and stronger surveillance and bridges to healthcare systems 2) Address and prevent chronic and diet-related disease, including addressing rising rates of childhood obesity and the impact of diabetes, and transforming our food systems to improve nutrition and enhance access to healthy foods
• Address the second pandemic of mental illness including: reducing overdose deaths, strengthening our youth mental health systems, and supporting people with serious mental illness
• Reduce black maternal mortality and make New York a model city for women’s health
• Mobilize against and combat the health impacts of climate change
  
  

Our 7,000-plus team members bring extraordinary diversity to the work of public health. True to our value of equity as a foundational element of all of our work, and a critical foundation to achieving population health impact in New York City, the NYC Health Department has been a leader in recognizing and dismantling racism’s impacts on the health of New Yorkers and beyond. In 2021, the NYC Board of Health declared racism as a public health crisis. With commitment to advance anti-racist public health practices that dismantle systems that perpetuate inequitable power, opportunity and access, the NYC Health Department continues to work in and with communities and community organizations to increase their access to health services and decrease avoidable health outcomes.

Duties Will Include But Not Be Limited To

The Deputy Press Secretary will report to the Press Secretary, and work closely with the Communications team, Government Affairs team, and the Office of the Commissioner to plan and execute speaking events and media interviews. Advise and staff agency spokespeople for press interviews and press events, including events outside the office in the five boroughs. Attend symposiums, conferences, community meetings, and other external events where press may be in attendance.

Coordinate the planning of press and events including press conferences, high-profile interviews, and town-hall meetings with city hall, other city agencies, and partner organizations.

Coordinate with agency leadership and staff on public health initiatives, and collaborate with city hall, city agencies, and community-based organizations to develop and implement media, communications, and public relations strategies.

Develop a strategic press outreach plan for specific and New York City audiences.

Stay current with all national and local media outlets that cover public health, as well as NYC community papers that cater to the city's diverse populations.

Advise the Health Commissioner on communications strategy, press interviews, and speaking engagements.

Proactively seek out opportunities to amplify the Commissioner's message, including but not limited to speaking engagements, events, and partnerships, as part of the Health Department's overall communications strategy.

Maintain high quality, professional standards for all press responses; ensure responses are consistent with agency standards and accuracy.

Establish and relationships with key New York City reporters covering the Health Department's issues. Oversee media lists and ensure reach to target audiences.

Oversee press coverage data base and daily distribution of media clips. Conduct quarterly and annual analysis of Commissioner and agency press coverage.

Contribute to messaging for the Department as a whole, including in response to crises and fast-moving developments.

Work in a 24/7 media environment after hours and on weekends.

• IMPORTANT NOTES TO ALL CANDIDATES:
  
  

Please note: If you are called for an interview you will be required to bring to your interview copies of original documentation, such as:

• A document that establishes identity for employment eligibility, such as: A Valid U.S. Passport, Permanent Resident Card/Green Card, or Driver’s license.
• Proof of Education according to the education requirements of the civil service title.
• Current Resume
• Proof of Address/NYC Residency dated within the last 60 days, such as: Recent Utility Bill (i.e. Telephone, Cable, Mobile Phone)
  
  

Additional documentation may be required to evaluate your qualification as outlined in this posting’s “Minimum Qualification Requirements” section. Examples of additional documentation may be, but not limited to: college transcript, experience verification or professional trade licenses.

If after your interview you are the selected candidate you will be contacted to schedule an on-boarding appointment. By the time of this appointment you will be asked to produce the originals of the above documents along with your original Social Security card.

• 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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF.

"FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL”

NOTE: This position MAY be eligible for remote work up to two days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and the Unions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college in emergency management, public health, disaster management, emergency preparedness/administration, public administration, or related field and one (1) year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following area(s): emergency preparedness planning/management, emergency medical services, fire or public safety, law enforcement, homeland security, public health, mental health, environmental/occupational health and safety or a related specialized area; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one of the areas described in “1”above; or
• A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However all candidates must have a minimum of one (1) year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one of the areas described in “1” above.
  
  

Preferred Skills

Be an innovative thinker and excellent writer with a track record for interpreting complex policy ideas and strategies into motivating, persuasive language. Excellent judgment, editing, writing and interpersonal skills. Must work well independently and as a team member. Ability to handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced and quickly changing environment. Prior government experience, a plus. Proficiency in languages other than English, a plus Must be available to work after hours, weekend and during emergencies as needed and participate. Ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects on tight deadlines. Contribute thoughtfully and respectfully to strategic discussions, often in rapidly evolving situations. Edit others' work to ensure quality and message consistency.

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.

, $63,952.00 – $95,000.00