SENIOR PRESS OFFICER

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. NYCEM is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies. We are staffed by more than 200 dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, including individuals assigned from other City agencies.

The External Affairs bureau works to engage with New Yorkers, elected officials, community organizations, private businesses and regional partners to inform them about the agency’s and the City’s efforts before, during, and after an emergency. Its units include Public Information (Press and Communications), Government Relations, and Strategic Partnerships.
The Public Information unit is comprised of two units: Press and Communications. Press serves as the spokespeople for the agency. Communications works in conjunction with other External Affairs divisions to prepare and disseminate NYC Emergency Management’s preparedness message as well as promote the initiatives of all agency units.

Join the New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) team as a Senior Press Officer in our External Affairs bureau's Press unit. In this high-impact role, you'll help secure New York City's resilience by delivering key information and executing strategic communication plans. You'll be involved in daily press operations and act swiftly during emergency incidents.

As a vital link to the public, stakeholders, and media, you'll convey complex emergency issues clearly and consistently. In your role, you'll be instrumental in shaping and executing our agency's public information strategy, ensuring its alignment with our broader vision. You'll also manage various press portfolios, concentrating on establishing solid relationships with local media to achieve a unified communication strategy.

In this high-impact role, the Senior Press Officer will:

- Serve as a liaison with news outlets, government agencies, and external partners, building relationships with new and existing contacts.
- Regularly update and expand the agency's primary media list while identifying new media outlets and reporters; also manage media monitoring tools and perform administrative tasks such as basic photography and video recordings as necessary.
- Contribute to strategic communications that support and advance NYCEM's role and identity.
- Assist in reviewing news outlets, trade, and academic publications daily to identify news and features relating to the agency and relevant policy areas.
- Support research efforts to address press inquiries, assisting in drafting and issuing responses.
- Assist in writing and editing press materials, including media advisories, press releases, and features for trade publications.
- Assist in coordinating press conferences and events, communicating effectively with the public, media, agency staff, and other partners.
- Assist the communications team in developing features that highlight agency staff and various agency activities.
- Aid in coordinating sensitive, deadline-driven, emergency-related agency and citywide press issues in collaboration with other agencies and City Hall.
- Provide dedicated media support during agency-led emergency operations, including non-standard hours.
- Undertake special projects as assigned.


*PLEASE NOTE: The selected candidate will be assigned to an on-call Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team and will be expected to work non-business hours during some emergencies. These non-business hours include nights, weekends, holidays, and extended week hours outside of a 9AM-5PM schedule. The selected candidate will also participate in trainings to build skills and competencies in emergency response; will participate in drills and exercises associated with the on-call EOC team; and may volunteer to assist with Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations to external groups. EOC teams are on call for three weeks at a time, with six weeks off in between

**PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

The selected candidate will be assigned to an on-call Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team and will be expected to work non-business hours during some emergencies. These non-business hours include nights, weekends, holidays, and extended week hours outside of a 9AM-5PM schedule. The selected candidate will also participate in trainings to build skills and competencies in emergency response; will participate in drills and exercises associated with the on-call EOC team; and may volunteer to assist with Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations to external groups. EOC teams are on call for three weeks at a time, with six weeks off in between.


This position is supported with a federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding through 8/31/2025 with the possibility of an extension.
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Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support to be eligible for selection.

For this position, the “Special Note” below in the Minimum Qualification Requirements does apply.

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS JOB, PLEASE SUBMIT A SEPARATE COVER LETTER IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF THE APPLICATION PORTAL.


PREFFERED SKILLS:
- Previous experience in a press or public relations role is beneficial, especially within a government or emergency management context, particularly with the New York City press corps.
- Some experience in politics and/or government, with an understanding of New York City's unique context (geography, politics, ).
- Comfort working under pressure, particularly in emergency or crisis situations, and readiness to work non-standard hours when necessary.
- Strong writing, editing, and research skills, familiarity with AP style, and some experience in media and communication planning.
- Good coordination skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft products and podcast audio editing programs.
- Bilingual or multi-lingual abilities are a plus.


In addition, the selected candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven ability in the following areas, from the agency’s performance management model:

Competencies:
o Knowledge – possesses appropriate subject matter expertise.
o Work Ethic and Productivity – produces consistently high quality, accurate, and on-time deliverables; takes responsibility, is dependable, and accountable, and follows through; is responsive to requests from leadership.
o Strategic Problem Solving and Innovation – is thoughtful and deliberate in approach to solving problems; demonstrates innovation and creative thinking.
o Effective Communication – communication is clear, precise, and timely; understands their audience and display confidence in delivering their message.
o Teamwork – encourage collaboration and motivate others; is able to both lead and follow when necessary; is an active listener and consider a broad range of perspectives.

**Studies have shown that women, people of color, and other under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.**

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: emergency management, fire, police, or military service, public safety, public health, public administration, urban planning, engineering, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full time professional experience in the areas listed in "1" above; or

3. A master's degree from an accredited college in emergency management, public administration, urban planning, engineering, economics, political science, the physical sciences ,or related field and one year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the areas listed “1" above, at least two years of which must have been in one of those areas, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made.

4. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Special Note:
To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described in ""1"" above.

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.