Policy Advisor for Education

New York City Department of Education; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Department of Education is seeking a Policy Advisor for Education to work with the Office of the First Deputy Mayor and NYC Public Schools to manage education policy initiatives, coordinate operations, and support leadership. The role involves developing briefs, coordinating schedules, and communicating with senior leadership.

The position requires strong policy analysis, project management, and cross‑agency collaboration, with responsibilities including presenting to executives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least five years of supervisory/administrative experience or equivalent.
• Strong writing, briefing, and presentation skills for senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives, deadlines, and priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project advisor and manager for high-priority, cross-functional projects regarding educational policy development and implementation.
• Plan and execute short and long-range comprehensive strategies to achieve educational and operational goals of the administration.
• Develop policy briefs informing issues critical to instructional and educational initiatives of the Mayor and Chancellor.
• Assist in decision-making by working with the Chancellor’s leadership team, Mayor’s Office staff, and City agencies.
• Interface with senior leadership on cross-functional work related to policy development and implementation.

Skills

Policy analysis

Project management

Communication

Timelines management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, education policy, or related field

5+ years supervisory/administrative experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Project management tools

Job description

Position Summary

The Policy Advisor for Education works closely with the Office of the First Deputy Mayor and leadership at NYC Public Schools to manage and support the educational and operational goals of the Mayor, First Deputy Mayor, and Chancellor. The Policy Advisor will work to manage education policy initiatives, support the day-to-day operations, determine key touchpoints, and keep leadership apprised of developments and decisions needed. The work of the Policy Advisor is sensitive and complex in nature and may involve educational policy‑making, legal and government mandates, budget and fiscal guidelines, and operational decision‑making in divergent areas. Performs related work.

Reports to

Senior Advisor for Education

Direct Reports

N/A

Key Relationships

Works closely with the Mayor’s Office and First Deputy Mayor’s team, the Chancellor’s Office, the President of the School Construction Authority and team, representatives of line organizations, City agencies, and key external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project advisor and manager for high-priority, cross-functional projects regarding educational policy development and implementation.
• Plan and execute short and long-range comprehensive strategies to achieve educational and operational goals of the administration.
• Develop relevant policy briefs that inform issues that are critical to the success of important instructional and support the educational initiatives of the Mayor and Chancellor.
• Assist in the decision-making process by working closely with representatives of the Chancellor’s leadership team, Mayor’s Office staff, and City agencies.
• Interface with senior leadership on cross-functional work in relation to policy development and implementation.
• Serve as liaison between the First Deputy Mayor’s team and NYCPS.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to coordinate, and prepare project-related documents, including schedules, project plans, presentations, meeting agendas, minutes, status reports, etc.
• Serve as the point of contact for the School Construction Authority; work closely on all items related to space, construction, and budget.
• Follow up with representatives of line organizations on the completion of assignments referred by the First Deputy Mayor and the Senior Advisor for Education.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships and networks, gather information, opinions, attitudes, identify stakeholder needs, provide interpretation and clarification to stakeholder feedback, develop response options, and generate cooperation and buy‑in to policy initiatives.
• Engage in confidential communication with the Chancellor, members of the senior leadership team, and high-level representatives of external agencies and institutions.
• Quantitatively and qualitatively analyze policy‑related initiatives and make recommendations and/or presentations for senior leadership -- making sure to appropriately communicate pertinent and sensitive information.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and at least five (5) years of full‑time paid supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience of a nature appropriate to the duties of the position, such as budgeting, personnel, public relations, education, project management, policy analysis, urban planning, education administration or equivalent, or five (5) years of full‑time paid experience as assistant to an executive in one of the fields described above, or a satisfactory equivalent.

Plus

• Experience performing analysis, writing reports and technical memos, as well as conducting briefings and presentations.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects in a timely manner in a dynamic work environment with constantly shifting priorities.
• Excellent communication, writing, research, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to problem solve.
• Thorough knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, monitor a work program, and prioritize duties.
• Attention to detail and excellent organization skills, including the ability to manage complex projects, sensitive information, analytical data, and multifaceted internal and external relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with education and non‑education personnel, internal and external to the DOE.
• Ability to troubleshoot, anticipate issues needing resolution, and creatively solve problems.

Preferred

• Results‑oriented self‑starter with ability to conceptualize and execute plans.
• A deep understanding of education policy issues related to the City of New York and the provision of services across its five boroughs.
• Experience in mediating among groups with competing perspectives, overseeing and improving the operational efficiency of complicated organizations, and pioneering innovative solutions to intricate problems.

(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.)

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

*NewYorkCityResidencyis 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

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/ .