Communications Associate

With an overarching mission to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and quality of life of approximately 1.8 million older New Yorkers, the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) is deeply committed to helping older adults age in their homes and creating a community-care approach that reflects a model age-inclusive city.

The Bureau of External Affairs oversees Government Affairs, Press and Public Information, Communications, and Aging Connect, the agency's contact center. The Bureau works to align the unit's internal and external facing priorities with the agency's overall mission, including median and communications plans, intergovernmental communications and relationships, and the distribution of accurate information through the contact center.

NYC Aging seeks a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented individual to serve as the agency's Communications Associate. Reporting to the Deputy Director Press & Public Information, the incumbent will serve as the agency's Communications Associate to support the Press & Public Information Unit in ensuring the public is aware of NYC Aging's activities and services being offered through the agency directory or through a community partner. Under general direction, the tasks the Communications Associate will perform includes press outreach and response, leadership and talking points, email communications, website maintenance, graphic art and social media posts.

• Work with appropriate staff to pitch NYC Aging programs and initiatives to reporters, and events taking place at community providers across the city.

• Draft press releases announcing new agency programs and initiatives.

• Respond to press reporter inquiries addressed to NYC Aging.

• Assist with the planning of press conferences and/or public engagement events as necessary.

• Edit and/or draft feature articles, editorials, Commissioner columns, speeches and interview talking points.

• Draft and review emails being sent to the community providers to ensure clarity and accuracy and help draft the agency's monthly newsletter, Ageless New York.

• Review changes to public facing and internal websites as requested by staff. Update websites with initiatives and programs being undertaken by NYC Aging.

• Create designs that will be shared with community partners and the public via NYC Aging's social media websites, NYC Aging's public website and newsletters describing programs, services and media campaigns.

• Create posts for NYC Aging's social media platforms highlighting the agency's accomplishments that help reduce ageism in our society.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

1.A master's degree in journalism or public relations from an accredited college; or

2.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism or advertising; or

3.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

4.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

• Candidate should possess passion for supporting New York's older adult population.

• Proficient in Adobe Create Suite a plus.

• Exceptional organizational and writing skills and should be detailed oriented.

• Bilingual candidate preferred (Spanish, Mandarin or Russian) a plus.

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.