Community Relations Specialist

Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plan

Vision Plan

Life and Disability Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Sick Days

Holidays

Personal Days

Paid Family Leave

Job summary

A nonprofit organization focused on housing solutions in New York City seeks a Community Relations Specialist to support outreach and engagement. This hybrid role involves representing the organization at events, building relationships, and engaging with community partners. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and one to three years of relevant experience, with strong communication skills and a commitment to serving diverse communities. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Professional and confident presence when representing the organization.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Comfort working in dynamic, community-based environments.
• Commitment to equity and serving diverse communities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools.

Responsibilities

• Represent NHSNYC at community events and public meetings.
• Conduct outreach related to home repair programs and housing counseling.
• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations.
• Engage with local elected officials and community boards.
• Prepare materials for meetings involving NHSNYC leadership.
• Ensure outreach activities reinforce NHSNYC’s mission and brand identity.
• Maintain accurate tracking of outreach activities and contacts.

Skills

Community Engagement

Collaboration

Communication

Organization

Adaptability

Mission Alignment

Proficiency in Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Job description

Job Title: Community Relations Specialist

Reports to: Director of Strategic Partnerships & Resource Development

Job Location: New York City (Hybrid; requires frequent citywide travel)

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Strategic Partnerships & Resource Development

Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc. (NHSNYC) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering low- and moderate-income homeowners through affordable home repair and first mortgage loans. As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), NHSNYC works to preserve and strengthen communities across New York City. NHSNYC addresses critical housing challenges, including coastal resilience, flood insurance education, and advocating for sustainable living solutions.

Overview:

The Community Relations Specialist supports NHSNYC’s citywide outreach, engagement, and visibility efforts by representing the organization externally, building relationships with community and government partners, and supporting strategic partnership activities. This role serves as a key liaison between NHSNYC and community stakeholders, elected officials’ offices, and civic partners, helping advance awareness of programs and reinforce NHSNYC’s identity as a citywide housing organization.
This is a full-time, exempt position based in New York City with frequent citywide travel and occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Outreach & Engagement

• Represent NHSNYC at community events, public meetings, workshops, resource fairs, and civic gatherings across New York City.
• Conduct neighborhood-level outreach related to home repair programs, housing counseling, and down payment assistance initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, civic associations, faith institutions, tenant groups, and local leaders.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to plan and support outreach activities aligned with organizational priorities.

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with offices of local elected officials, community boards, and civic stakeholders.
• Monitor and attend relevant hearings, meetings, and public events involving government and community partners.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, schedules, and follow-up communications for meetings and events involving NHSNYC leadership.
• Coordinate meetings, site visits, and special events with government and external partners.

Organizational Visibility & Brand Support

• Ensure outreach activities consistently reinforce NHSNYC’s mission, values, and citywide brand identity.
• Share community insights, trends, and partnership opportunities with internal teams to inform outreach and messaging.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to support outreach materials, social media content, and event‑related assets.

Administrative & Coordination Support

• Maintain accurate tracking of outreach activities, contacts, and event participation.
• Manage calendars related to community events, outreach opportunities, and external engagements.
• Prepare summary reports on outreach activities, community needs, and stakeholder engagement outcomes.
• Support partnership development, donor engagement, and limited fundraising activities connected to community and government initiatives.

Qualifications

• Community Engagement: Professional and confident presence when representing the organization externally.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Organization: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Adaptability: Comfort working in dynamic, community-based environments.
• Mission Alignment: Commitment to equity, affordable housing, and serving diverse New York City communities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Affairs, Urban Studies, Political Science, Community Development, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience in community engagement, outreach, public service, or nonprofit work (internships and volunteer experience considered).
• Ability to attend evening and weekend events as required.
• Ability to travel throughout all five New York City boroughs.

Preferred

• Familiarity with NYC housing issues, community development, or local government structures.
• Experience working with elected officials, community boards, or grassroots organizations.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle to support outreach activities, as needed.
• Comfort with public speaking and representing the organization in group and community settings.
• Fluency in a second language commonly spoken in NYC (e.g., Spanish, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Bengali) a plus.

NHSNYC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical Plan
• Vision Plan
• Life and Disability Plan
• Flexible Spending Account – Transportation, Dependent Care, Parking, Health Care
• Sick Days
• Holidays
• Personal Day
• Paid Family Leave

Please include a cover letter with your application.

It is the policy of Neighborhood Housing Services to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), national origin, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, employment status, age, disability (including pregnancy), predisposing genetic characteristics, and any other protected characteristics, within the meaning and subject to the conditions of applicable federal, state and city laws.