Press Secretary, Bureau of Communications

The Office of External Affairs manages 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 Bureau of Communications, housed within the Office of External Affairs, develops culturally responsive public health marketing campaigns; conducts proactive media campaigns and responds to media inquiries; generates and crafts materials to inform New Yorkers of health information and program services, ensuring accessibility for all; provides access to translation services for collateral materials and clinics; maintains the agency's website; and publishes content on the agency's social media platforms. The Press Office in the Bureau of Communications plays an integral role in advancing the Health Department's strategic priorities, conveys critical health messages to the public, and responds to media inquiries in a timely, accurate fashion.

Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner of Communications, the Press Secretary plays a key role in fulfilling the Health Department's mission in conveying vital information to the public, whether responding to an acute crisis or advancing a new initiative. The Press Secretary is the main point of contact for community-based, citywide, national, and international media and plays a central role in proactive communications as well as responding to ongoing media inquiries and public health emergencies. This position supervises four press officers and one senior writer.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Conduct Proactive Media Outreach:
- Develop and implement strong media strategies to advance the Health Department's strategic priorities Build relationships with reporters and to ensure balanced, accurate coverage of Health Department initiatives.
- Write and edit Health Department press releases and statements on agency strategic priorities and programmatic work Advise the Commissioner and other senior staff on how to effectively present Health Department information to the media Write and edit talking points, op-eds, letters to the editor, and other written materials as part of proactive and reactive communications strategies.
- Respond to Media Inquiries:
- Disseminate accurate, high-quality information about Health Department initiatives.
- Respond rapidly to numerous media inquiries; work closely and professionally with Health Department program staff to collect information pertinent to reporters' inquiries, and make the information understandable to journalist and the public.
- Provide spot media training and briefing documents to prepare Health Department staff to handle print, TV, and radio interviews

Emergency Communications: Planning and Project Management:
- Manage press relations during emergencies, working closely with others in the Health Department incident command structure to disseminate accurate information in a timely fashion.
- Participate in emergency communications planning and work with outside consultants as needed.
- Represent the Press Office at internal and external emergency-preparedness meetings.
- Coordinate risk communications training for emergency spokespersons.

Administration:
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the press office.
- Mentor and supervise a staff of four press officers and one senior writer.
- Interact regularly with the City Hall press office to clear and coordinate the Health Department's press activity.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Five to 10 years of press and media experience with demonstrated career trajectory of increasing responsibility in press relations

- Three to five years of management experience

- Deep knowledge of New York City media landscape

- Excellent writing, editing and interpersonal skills, including the ability to make technical/medical information easy for journalists and the public to understand

- Sound judgement and equanimity in high-pressure situations; ability to handle multiple deadline assignments in a quickly changing environment

- Sensitive to political context and ability to work effectively across with diverse constituencies

- Demonstrate a professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with colleagues, direct reports, leadership, and stakeholders.

- Understanding of public health issues a plus.

Why you should work for us:

- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o 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.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of 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 social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

1. A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and five (5) years of responsible experience in public relations, journalism, advertising or in other closely related fields; or

2. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in public health, public relations, journalism, or a related field, and three (3) years of responsible experience as above; or

3. A satisfactory equivalent.

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.