Assistant Press Secretary

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; All (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seeks an Assistant Press Secretary to manage communications for a diverse urban population. The role focuses on crafting press materials and engaging with media to enhance public health initiatives, ensuring messages reach all New Yorkers effectively.

Benefits

Premium-free health insurance

Public sector defined benefit pension plan

Work From Home Policy

Job security compared to private sector

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• A master's degree or bachelor's degree in relevant fields required.
• Minimum experience in public relations or journalism preferred.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop proactive press strategies for public health campaigns.
• Prepare, edit, and translate press materials for non-English speaking communities.
• Coordinate planning of press activities and maintain press coverage database.

Skills

Proficiency in languages other than English

Excellent judgment

Editing

Writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in journalism or public relations

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism or advertising

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE ASSOCIATE PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary

Housed within the Office of External Affairs is the Bureau of Communications – Press Office. The Health Department's press office operates a high-volume, 24/7 shop that serves as the main point of contact for local, national and international media, including some of the world's top journalists. The press office also plays a critical role to support overdose prevention, mental health, environmental health, chronic disease prevention, and other programs that protect and promote the health of the world's most culturally and linguistically diverse city.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Press Secretary and working with other Assistant Press Secretaries, this is a challenging role but one that offers excitement, fulfillment and an opportunity to bring critical health information and resources to New York City’s linguistically diverse communities. The individual in this role will work with media reporting in languages other than English by responding to inquiries, pitching stories, arranging interviews, organizing events, translating materials, and identifying important issues affecting particular communities.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Press Secretary and Assistant Press Secretaries to develop proactive press strategies that align with the agency's initiatives and announcements of major public health campaigns that directly impact New York City’s non-English speaking communities
• Independently prepare, edit, translate and finalize press materials; develop creative pitches for media outlets including, pitch to outlets on key initiatives, disseminate pitches, follow-up and track media coverage using the press coverage database for non-English outlets.
• Draft statements and responses to inquiries based on internal research, obtaining final approval from agency representatives; maintain high quality, professional standards for all media responses; ensure responses are aligned with agency standards for professionalism and accuracy.
• Keep abreast with all local newspapers including community papers and those targeting special populations; Develop a targeted press outreach plan for specific and community audiences; contribute to the creation and updating of issue specific targeted media lists to ensure reach to target audiences
• Coordinate the planning of press activities including high-profile interviews, press conferences, and events, particularly for multi-lingual staff.
• Track and maintain database of press coverage; and, as assigned produce morning and afternoon clips.
• Work in a 24/7 media environment, after hours and on weekends, when necessary.
  
  

Why You Should Work For Us

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program and
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.
  
  

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment To Equity

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.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

ASSOCIATE PUBLIC INFORMATION - 60816

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

• A master's degree in journalism or public relations from an accredited college; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism or advertising; or
• An associate degree or completion of 60 credits from an accredited college and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism or advertising; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 credits from an accredited college.
  
  

For Assignment Level II

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements described above for Assignment Level I, at least one additional year of the full-time experience in public relations, journalism, or advertising.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in languages other than English (esp. Spanish and/or Chinese) a plus. - Excellent judgment, editing, writing and interpersonal skills. - Must work well independently and as a team member. - Ability to handle multiple deadline assignments in a fast-paced and quickly changing environment. - Prior government experiences a plus. - Must be available to work after hours, weekend and during emergencies as needed and participate.
  
  

55a 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 Service 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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

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.

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 individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

• Industries

  Hospitals and Health Care

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