Deputy Press Secretary

NYC Public Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Public Schools is seeking a Deputy Press Secretary to act as a media liaison, manage relations for NYCPS offices and departments, and partner with the Press Secretary on major announcements and events for the Chancellor. The role entails proactive pitching, framing stories, and ensuring coverage aligns with the NYCPS vision and educational philosophy.

The ideal candidate will build strong ties with local, national, and community media, preparing materials and responding to breaking news

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience in public relations, journalism, advertising, or closely related fields.

Responsibilities

• Serve as day-to-day media point of contact for local and national media on NYCPS issues; liaise with senior staff and communicate information to the Press Secretary.
• Develop media strategies and materials; prepare press releases and statements for major events and announcements.
• Support and lead pitching to press for long- and short-term inquiries; draft talking points, releases, and other communications documents.
• Cultivate relationships with local, national, ethnic, and community media; coordinate coverage with Mayor’s Office and City leadership.
• Assist in organizing press conferences and arrange interviews with NYCPS content experts.
• Advise school-based leaders on press inquiries and promote school activities to the media.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Pitching to press

Press materials writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Summary:

The Deputy Press Secretary serves as a media point of contact for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and manages media relations for offices and departments within the NYCPS, liaising with senior staff of NYCPS offices. Additionally, the Deputy Press Secretary builds relationships and cultivates working relationships with members of the news media, to proactively pitch and frame news stories and respond to fast breaking news in a manner that accurately reflects the vision, policies and educational philosophy of the NYCPS. Under the direction of the Press Secretary, this position is responsible for high level media engagement.

The Deputy Press Secretary works closely with the Press Secretary to develop broad and issue specific media strategies. The Deputy Press Secretary supports the Press Secretary on major announcements and events for the Chancellor as well as education events for City Hall. Performs related work.

Reports to:

Press Secretary

Direct Reports:

N/A

Key Relationships:

Advises senior NYCPS staff and other managers in portfolio areas (e.g., operations, family and community engagement, enrollment, facilities, school safety) on media inquiries, and activities. Serves as a point of contact to support and advise school based leaders with press inquiries and promoting stories about school based activities. Helps plan and develop materials for NYCPS in partnership with the Mayor’s office, including supporting mayoral press events. Maintains and develops working relationships with local, national, and community and ethic media news outlets.

Establishes and maintains contact with all major print and broadcast journalists covering education and other outlets as well as representatives of local, ethnic and community media outlets, to ensure that a representative of the NYCPS is available to the media on a 24-hour a day basis to respond to requests during the normal workday and to cover emergency situations (e.g., school closings) or other urgent requests for information.

Responsibilities

• Serves as day-to-day media point of contact for local and national media on issues pertaining to the NYCPS; manages media relations for offices and departments within the NYCPS, liaising with senior staff of NYCPS offices, and communicating information to the Press Secretary.
• Develops expertise across a portfolio of policy issues. Prepares materials that articulate the NYCPS’s positions for internal and external audiences.
• Prepares press releases and associated materials for major and daily events and announcements.
• Supports and leads pitching for various long and short term inquiries from the media. Writes press statements, talking points, releases, and other communications documents. Completes a variety of other writing and research assignments in a high pressure, deadline driven environment.
• Develops relationships with media outlets (local, national, ethnic and community news) and works closely with media staff to address issues related to the NYCPS. Develops relationships with columnists, reporters, and editors to pitch positive news stories regarding the NYCPS.
• Supports the Press Secretary on organizing press conferences and sets up interviews with NYCPS content experts.
• Develops relationships with school, district, departmental, and City leadership to support in responding to press inquiries and sourcing news items.
• Develops media strategies regarding depicting and handling issues regarding the NYCPS.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of professional experience in public relations, journalism, advertising, or in other closely related fields.

Plus

• Experience working in public schools and/or education policy.
• Experience in public relations, including pitching and managing stories to press and media.

Preferred

• Well developed understanding of the logistics involved in the print, TV news, and digital media fields.
• An overall knowledge of the Department’s organization and its various operating components.
• Skills in scheduling, creating, staffing, and getting media attention for public events.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and handle competing deadlines, with attention to detail.

Salary

$100,190 - $110,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

New York City Residency is NOT Required

• New York City Residency is NOT Required

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non-Discrimination Policy

The Department of Education of 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 upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION - APPLICANTS

Any prospective employee (applicant) who is a qualified individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to assist in the application process. If an applicant for employment believes that they have a qualifying disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process on an equal basis as applicants who do not have a disability, they should request an accommodation with their interview team or contact ODA by emailing [e-mail]. The determination of the accommodation request will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/doe-employees-only/personnel-memorandum-6-2024-2025---accommodations.pdf

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/.