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 division works to engage with New Yorkers elected officials community organizations private businesses and regional partners to inform them about the agencys and the Citys 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 Managements preparedness message as well as promote the initiatives of all agency units.

New York City Emergency Management seeks a Press Officer to join its External Affairs bureau and serve on the front line of the Citys public communications during emergencies major incidents and daily agency operations.

The Press Officer serves as an agency spokesperson manages relationships with news media and helps develop and execute public information strategies that reach New Yorkers with clear timely and accurate information. The role requires strong judgment excellent writing sound news instincts and the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving high-pressure environments.

This position is suited for a communications professional who can move quickly without sacrificing accuracy translate complex information for broad audiences and exercise sound judgment when the stakes are high.

The Press Officer will:
-Serve as an agency spokesperson and primary liaison to reporters government agencies City Hall and external partners.
-Respond to press inquiries by rapidly gathering information coordinating with subject-matter experts and developing accurate clear and timely responses.
-Write and edit press releases media advisories statements talking points pitches and other public-facing materials.
-Help coordinate sensitive and deadline-driven communications during emergencies and major citywide incidents.
-Provide dedicated media support during emergency operations including evenings weekends and other non-standard hours when necessary.
-Build and maintain strong relationships with local national trade and community media.
-Identify opportunities to advance NYCEMs work expertise preparedness initiatives and public profile through proactive media engagement.
-Monitor breaking news emerging issues and relevant policy developments that may affect the agency or require a communications response.
-Plan and support press conferences media availabilities interviews and public events.
-Maintain media lists monitoring systems and other tools necessary for an effective press operation.
-Collaborate across External Affairs and with agency programs to develop stories highlighting NYCEM personnel operations and initiatives.
-Support special projects and other high-priority communications assignments as needed.

**PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

As part of NYCEMs emergency response mission this position participates on an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team. During emergency activations team members may be required to work evenings weekends holidays or extended shifts in support of City response operations. Outside of activations EOC members participate in periodic training and exercises to maintain operational readiness 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 high end of the salary range is available to candidates who have been in City service two or more years.

Funding This position is supported with a federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding through 8/31/2027 with the possibility of an extension.


Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support to be eligible for selection. Note that NYCEM does not participate in eVerify which is required for the reauthorization of some visas.

The selected candidate will be required to be in person in the office location three days per week with exceptions for extenuating circumstances.

For this position the Special Note below in the Minimum Qualification Requirements does not apply.

We as an agency recognize that valuable leadership and analytical experience may be gained through public service military service academia nonprofit organizations the private sector volunteer leadership or other professional settings. Candidates are encouraged to describe transferable experiences that demonstrate their qualifications.

NYCEM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities.

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


PREFERRED SKILLS

-Previous experience in press public relations journalism government communications or a related field. Experience with government emergency management or the New York City press corps is strongly preferred.
-Experience working in New York City government politics media or civic affairs with a strong understanding of the Citys government communities geography and media environment.
-Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure exercise sound judgment during fast-moving situations and work evenings weekends or other non-standard hours when emergencies require.
-Excellent writing editing research and verbal communication skills including familiarity with AP style and experience developing media or communications strategies.
-Strong organizational and coordination skills attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments deadlines and competing priorities.
-Strong news judgment and the ability to identify emerging issues anticipate media interest and translate complex information into clear public-facing language.
-Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common media monitoring digital communications audio or multimedia production tools.
-Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus.

NOTE: Candidates are not expected to possess every preferred qualification. Successful applicants may demonstrate equivalent knowledge transferable experience or the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.

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

Competencies:
oKnowledge demonstrates or has the ability to develop the knowledge necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.
oWork 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.
oStrategic Problem Solving and Innovation is thoughtful and deliberate in approach to solving problems; demonstrates innovation and creative thinking.
oEffective Communication Demonstrates the ability to communicate information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences including during time-sensitive and high-pressure situations.
oTeamwork 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.**

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SPECIAL - 94612

Qualifications :

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a states 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 masters 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.

Additional Information :

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 individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time