Job Description

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

Under the direction of the Commissioner with latitude to exercise independent judgment, the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of the Office of Public Information. The candidate will be responsible for responding to a myriad of press inquiries, including complex and difficult issues including safety and security, custody management, policy decisions, etc. The Deputy Commissioner will proactively pitch positive stories to the press, including local and national media, regarding programmatic reforms, and special initiatives, and coordinate DOC communications with the City Hall Press Office and other city agencies to ensure continuity of messaging. The Deputy Commissioner will also establish and maintain liaisons with representatives of news media; and develop programs and strategies to enhance the public’s perception of departmental services. The selected candidate will also be responsible for preparing and reviewing public testimony, speeches, briefing documents, and talking points for the Commissioner and executive leadership. The Deputy Commissioner will also manage the staff within the internal, external, and special projects unit. In addition, manage a targeted social media policy designed to inform discrete internal and external stakeholder groups including staff, regulatory bodies, elected officials, and advocates, while overseeing the agency’s internal and external websites and publications. The selected candidate will help support the design of strategic initiatives involving all aspects of correction mission delivery including security, incarcerated persons facilities operations, incarcerated persons programs, and initiatives in direct support services and staff training. The Deputy Commissioner will also prepare appropriate written reports and memoranda summarizing findings and analysis from executed initiatives, surveys, inspections, and recommendations for performance improvement for submission to the Commissioner. The incumbent may represent the department at community events, meetings, press conferences, ceremonial events and perform related work as required.


PREFRRERED SKILLS
-Experience responding to inquiries from the media and working with reporters, journalists,
and other external stakeholders;
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
-Ability to work after business hours and weekends;
-Knowledgeable experience working in city government;
-Ability to work effectively and build relationships with all levels in the agency and other
communication partners in public relations;
-Formulate strategies to publicize departmental activities, programs, and special events;
-Ability to adapt to rapid change, multi-task, and meet restrictive deadlines;
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as, strong listening skills and
ability to produce effective talking points to be delivered by senior management;
-Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with social media platforms
(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
-Experience with current web practices, supporting technologies, new media (including
social media and viral messaging,



Additional Information
The City of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance for the employee and his/her spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26, union benefits such as dental and vision coverage, paid annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, a pension, and optional savings and pre-tax programs such as Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.

Qualifications

1. A Master’s Degree from an accredited college in Public Administration, Personnel Administration,
Business Administration, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Psychology or an
equivalent/related field, plus five years of satisfactory experience of a nature to qualify for the duties
and responsibilities of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative,
managerial, or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties
of the position; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with a major in Public Administration, Personnel
Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Political Science,
Psychology or an equivalent/related field, plus seven years of satisfactory experience of a nature to
qualify for the duties and responsibilities of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been
in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities
related to the duties of the position.
3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and eleven years of satisfactory, full-time
progressively responsible experience as described in "1" above, 18 months of which must have been
in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity.