First Deputy Press Secretary, Press Office - 26533

NYC Public Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The First Deputy Press Secretary at New York City Public Schools serves as a chief media point of contact for the school system, managing media relations for the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellors, and the Senior Leadership Team. This role supports the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations and oversees briefing documents and City Hall engagements.

It requires strong leadership, crisis response, development of long-term media plans, and collaboration with NYCPS divisions to shape

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and four years of professional experience in public relations or journalism.
• Two years in administrative, supervisory, or consultative capacity.
• Knowledge of print and online publication logistics.
• Strong understanding of public relations and media strategy.
• Managerial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief media contact for the NYCPS, handling media relations for the Chancellor and senior leaders.
• Plan and implement NYCPS press strategy and monitor agency initiatives.
• Lead press conferences and arrange interviews with senior officials.
• Draft briefing materials, statements, talking points, and press releases.
• Develop long-term media plans and build relationships with local, national, and community outlets.
• Onboard new hires and coordinate with city hall and stakeholders.
• Oversee briefing documents to the Chancellor’s Office and manage press events.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Position Summary: The New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is dedicated to creating and supporting partnerships among schools, families, and the community. The Press Office is dedicated to getting out important news, critical information, and compelling stories of the NYCPS with media, families, students, educators and staff, and all New Yorkers. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, the First Deputy Press Secretary serves as a chief media point of contact for the school system, managing media relations for the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellors, and the other members of the Senior Leadership Team of the NYCPS. Additionally, the First Deputy Press Secretary manages daily contact with members of the news media, both in responding to fast-breaking news stories and in presenting newsworthy items for coverage in a manner that accurately reflects the policies and educational philosophy of the NYCPS school system. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, this position is responsible for high-level media engagement. The First Deputy Press Secretary supports the management of the Deputy Press Secretaries and Associate Press Secretaries and ensures that all materials coming out of the Press Office meet the standards of the office.

The First Deputy Press Secretary is second in command in the Press Office and manages all operations in the absence of the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations/Press Secretary. The First Deputy is responsible for all briefing documents that go to the Chancellors Office and is directly involved in all City Hall matters. The First Deputy Press Secretary manages the NYCPS’s relationship with major print and broadcast journalists covering education, as well as representatives of local 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 work day and to cover emergency situations (e.g., school closings) or other urgent requests for information. Performs related work.

Reports to:

Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations

Direct Reports:

N/A

Key Relationships:

Advises City Hall, Chancellor, Deputy Chancellors and Senior Leadership Team, and other managers on all media inquiries, activities, and strategy. Maintains working relationships with local, national, and community news media outlets.

Responsibilities

Planning and Implementing NYCPS Press Strategy

• Under the direction of the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, serve as a chief media point of contact for the school system, managing media relations for the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellors, and the other members of the Senior Leadership Team of the NYCPS.
• Work with the Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations to monitor agency initiatives and accomplishments.
• Lead press conferences and set up interviews with the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor, and members of the School Leadership team.
• Advise the Chancellor, City Hall, Senior NYCPS Staff, Office Directors, and members of the School Leadership Teams on strategies regarding communication with the media.
• Develop expertise across a portfolio of policy issues. Prepare materials that articulate the NYCPS positions for internal and external audiences.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues; work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communication solutions and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Lead on long- and short-term inquiries from national media. Review and sign off on press statements, talking points, releases, and other communications documents. Complete a variety of other writing and research assignments in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment.
• Develop long-term strategic plans around key initiatives.
• Develop relationships with media outlets (local, national, and community news); work closely with media staff to address issues related to the NYCPS. Develop relationships with columnists, reporters, and editors to pitch positive news stories regarding the NYCPS.

Planning and Coordinating NYCPS Press Events

• Support the NYCPS’s engagement with school communities, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and other education stakeholders.
• Responsible for all briefing documents that go to the Chancellors Office: assist in the planning, execution, and management of public meetings, events, school visits, and other initiatives organized by Press/Media Relations and the NYCPS.
• Collaborate with other NYCPS divisions to help identify, develop, and advance initiatives and priorities.
• Compose and edit press releases, quotes, statements, talking points, and Q&A documents. Proactively pitch stories and interviews to individual reporters, and place OpEds in targeted media outlets.
• Develop media strategies regarding depicting and handling issues regarding the NYCPS.
• Onboard new hires around media relationships and strategy, intra-agency contacts, and office procedures.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in public relations, journalism, advertising, or in other closely related fields, including two (2) years in an administrative, supervisory, or consultative capacity; or
• A satisfactory equivalent.

Preferred

• Well-developed understanding of the logistics involved in the print and online publication fields.
• An overall in-depth knowledge of the Department’s organization and its various operating components.
• Highly developed expertise in the methods and procedures attendant to publication.
• Highly sophisticated understanding of public relations.
• Skills in directing media attention and scheduling public events.
• Ability to administer a publication operation.
• Managerial experience.

Salary

$130,151 - $133,000

(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.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

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/.