SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

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.
This role sits within the Communications unit as a part of our External Affairs bureau. Communications works in conjunction with other units to prepare and disseminate the agency’s preparedness and response message, as well as promotes initiatives of all agency bureaus. Communications focuses on both strategic communications efforts and crisis response.

This dynamic role focuses on creating the planning, management and creation of compelling social media content that conveys the vital work of NYCEM, fostering awareness, education, and engagement.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Communications, the specialist will employ their unique skills in storytelling, digital media production, and editing to help convey NYCEM’s mission and initiatives to the public.

Working in tandem with the agency's press team, the specialist will provide indispensable assistance with media-related tasks. Community engagement is a significant aspect of this role; consequently, the successful candidate will deliver presentations on emergency preparedness to external groups as part of the Ready NY initiative. In line with the multifaceted nature of this position, the specialist may also undertake special projects as assigned, contributing to the broader goals and initiatives of the NYCEM.

**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.

Funding – 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.


Preferred Skills:

Duties of the Social Media Specialist will include, but are not limited to:
- Social Media Strategy: Develop and execute a detailed content calendar across social channels (Instagram, X, etc.) in conjunction with our press office and other units. Use social media strategy platforms to organize and deploy content.
- Content Creation: Produce visually stunning imagery, polished videos (including Reels), infographics, compelling copy, and engaging campaigns to effectively communicate NYCEM's mission and work to a diverse audience.
- Digital Fluency: Stay ahead of the curve on social media trends, design tools, and emerging platforms that align will help NYCEM communicate its message.
- Analytics: Track key metrics, optimize strategies for maximum coverage and campaign efficacy. Translate data into actionable strategies to enhance campaign and content effectiveness.
- Copywriting: assist in managing the agency's website and ensuring all information is updated in a timely and efficient manner.
- Emergency Management: Serve as a crucial member of the emergency operations team, working outside of standard business hours as required and providing necessary support to the agency's press team during crises.


Preferred Skills:
- A degree in communications or journalism is highly preferred.

- Minimum of 5 years of recent experience in a social media management role, emphasizing content creation, graphic design, and photography.

- Demonstrated ability to infuse creativity, humor where appropriate, and originality into multimedia content, producing compelling and engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

- Proven track record of crafting impactful stories across various media formats, from traditional to digital platforms.

- Proficiency in a wide range of multimedia software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other relevant industry-standard tools.

- Familiarity with modern web technologies and content management systems, including TeamSite, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

- Solid experience with emerging social media platforms and technologies, such as TikTok, Threads, and BlueSky among others, with an ability to adapt to new platforms quickly.

- Exceptional communication skills, with a proven ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams, leadership, and external stakeholders.

- A deep understanding of agile methodologies and modern software development practices, with a demonstrated ability to adapt to new technologies and workflows.

- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the capacity to manage multiple projects concurrently.

- Comfort working under pressure, particularly in emergency or crisis situations, and available for non-standard hours when necessary.

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.