The Board seeks an enthusiastic, high-energy Assistant Executive Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Communications, who, under the direction of the General Counsel, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent action and decision-making, will develop and manage all matters regarding the agency’s communications strategy, Board management, and intergovernmental affairs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Intergovernmental Affairs
Work closely and collaboratively with the Executive Director and Executive staff to develop and implement a coherent strategy for oversight, reporting, rulemaking, and managing relationships with Board members, DOC, CHS, City Hall, the City Council and all other partners.
Work closely and collaboratively with all BOC teams to develop, revise, and approve content for various audiences, including editing all reports and public documents for clarity, consistency, and accessibility.
Assist with preparation of testimony and background materials for City Council oversight and budget hearings.
Review and prepare comments on relevant legislative proposals.
Proactively develop the Board’s legislative agenda and propose legislation that positively impacts BOC’s oversight authority.
Assist in the successful identification of meeting spaces that allow for hybrid remote and in-person public Board meetings.
Coordinate intergovernmental/public affairs activities with other agencies and organizations.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge base on critical issues in correctional and criminal justice reform and policy
Ensure materials provided to the jails for use of people in custody and DOC staff in the jails, including Minimum Standards, are accessible, up to date, and accurate
Develop and maintain relationships with DOC, CHS, elected officials, advocates, and community-based organizations on behalf of BOC.
Manage special projects and initiatives as assigned.
Board Management
Onboard new Board Members
Oversee all Board meetings (typically monthly), including agenda preparation, meeting materials, and coordination with relevant agencies.
Manage Board Member materials in advance of every public meeting.
Prepare and produce various confidential reports and documents, including original research and briefing sheets, compiling/reformatting materials, and assisting with Board mailing distributions.
Communications
Oversee all communications and press-related items for the Board, including developing and writing internal and external communications, including brochures, posters, press releases, reports, and other materials.
Serve as agency contact and spokesperson for press and for coordination with press offices of other city agencies.
Maintain the agency website, including producing content.
Prepare briefing materials, speeches, statements, and talking points, and compile background information in a timely fashion.
Prepare Executive Director and General Counsel for internal and external meetings, attend meetings and conduct follow-up on the Executive Director and/or General Counsel’s behalf.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with 24 credits in English, journalism or public relations, plus five (5) years of full-time paid experience in public relations, journalism or advertising, including two (2) years in an administrative, supervisory or consultative capacity; or
2. A combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” above. Graduate study in English, journalism, or public relations may be substituted for up to one year of required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two (2) years of administrative, supervisory, or consultative experience in public relations, journalism or advertising.
Preferred Skills
Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills, and a strong customer-service approach. High level of comfort with presenting findings to groups and interacting with staff members on a range of levels.
Commitment to BOC’s mission and to excellence in public management.
Familiarity with local government structure and elected officials’ offices.
Experience working with New York City based media.
Knowledge of the New York City criminal justice system.
Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, problem solve, prioritize duties, balance competing priorities, work independently, and within a fast-paced environment, paying close attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
Expertise and experience handling sensitive and controversial issues.
Highly collaborative style, high energy, initiative, maturity, and leadership skills.
Proficient in Microsoft programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Additional Information
The New York City Board of Correction (BOC) is a nine-person, non-judicial oversight board, which regulates, monitors, and inspects the correctional facilities of the City. Established in 1957, BOC is one of the earliest independent oversight boards of custodial and detention settings in the United States. The Mayor, City Council and presiding justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the First and Second Judicial Departments (in joint nomination with the Mayor) appoint its members.
The City Charter mandates the Board’s five functions:
• Establish and ensure compliance with minimum standards for the care, custody, correction, treatment, supervision, and discipline of all persons held or confined under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction (DOC);
• Investigate serious incidents;
• Review grievances from people in custody and staff;
• Evaluate the performance of the Department of Correction; and
• Make recommendations on areas of key correctional planning.
The Board established the Minimum Standards on conditions of confinement in 1979, mental health care in 1985, and health care in 1991. In 2007, BOC finished a comprehensive review of the Minimum Standards and adopted a series of amendments. In 2015, the Board promulgated rules codifying ground-breaking criminal justice reforms and prohibited solitary confinement (also referred to as punitive segregation or PSEG) for 16- to 21-year-olds and individuals with serious physical or mental health disabilities. In late 2016, the Board promulgated a new chapter of its Minimum Standards based on national standards underlying the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). More recently, in 2021, the Board promulgated new regulations and amended certain existing rules to end the inhumane practice of solitary confinement in New York City jails, and to replace it with a more humane alternative that still holds people accountable for the commission of serious offenses in custody.
With offices in lower Manhattan and on Rikers Island, BOC works regularly with DOC and Correctional Health Services (CHS), and often with other government and external partners, on a wide range of criminal justice issues germane to its oversight responsibilities. The Board brings to this work a strong emphasis on public reporting and data-driven decision making.
To Apply
For City employees: Go to Employee Self-Service (ESS) at www.nyc.gov/ess and search for Job ID# 595735.
For all other applicants: Go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 595735 .
Please submit a cover letter and resume. A writing sample will be requested if you are contacted for an interview.
Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this career opportunity
Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget approval.
The New York City Administrative Code requires an employee in this title to establish city residence within 90 days of entering City service and to remain in compliance with the city residence requirement as a condition of employment.
The City of New York and the Board of Correction is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity. Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview. Only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Candidates who are contacted will be asked to complete an initial phone interview. Candidates who are subsequently called for an in-person interview will be required to submit a writing sample or complete a brief writing and analysis assignment.
55-a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Svc 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 .
Hours/Shift
Full-time, at least 35 hrs./wk
Work Location
2 Lafayette Street, NYC (with periodic time at Rikers Island)
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.
POSTING DATE
08/02/2023
POST UNTIL
08/23/2023
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.