Communications Associate

• Candidate must be currently serving in the Associate Public Information Specialist civil service title OR reachable on exam list 3086 * - Please indicate this on your resume when applying.

The Agency You'll Join:

November 2022, New York City voters overwhelmingly approved three ballot proposals that put racial equity and justice at the heart of city government, including a new Commission on Racial Equity (CORE).

The first of its kind in the nation, the new Commission on Racial Equity is a new independent 15-member commission responsible for engaging diverse communities to advance racial equity in government operations and increase community voice in government decision making. CORE provides accountability for New Yorkers, regularly evaluating the City's progress on its racial equity plan, requirements, and goals. CORE will be composed of diverse New Yorkers with equity expertise and/or relevant lived experience, serving as a conduit to bring historically excluded communities and voices into government decision-making.

The Team You'll Work With:

CORE is an independent commission composed of 15 commissioners, including one Chair & Executive Director, jointly appointed by the Mayor and New York City Council Speaker. Other CORE commissioners will be appointed by the Mayor, City Council Speaker, City Comptroller, and Public Advocate. City officials appointing commissioners to CORE are required to consider individuals that represent or have advocated for historically excluded voices, including people with lived experience of marginalization and individuals who have never served on a government board or commission before.

Commission on Racial Equity staff are responsible for executing the day-to-day mission and establishing its path to success. They will take the vision of the Chair & Executive Director and the Commissioners and translate it into action strategies and plans that implement accountability for racial equity in the city. Like the Commission itself, the Commission's staff aims to be representative of New Yorkers from all communities and walks of life. Staff will bring an accountability mindset into their work, ensuring that they are collaborating with city agencies and voicing public concerns.

The Problems You'll Solve

The Commission on Racial Equity seeks a Communications Associate, reporting directly to the Director of Communications. As a member of the team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) by executing strategic communications initiatives. Working closely with the Director of Communications, this role will help shape the narrative around racial equity issues, ensuring that the Commission's work reaches diverse audiences effectively.

Under the guidance of the Communications Director, the Communications Associate is responsible for supporting the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies to promote CORE's initiatives. In this role, you will manage CORE's external channels, produce weekly content creation including short form editorial writing, and monitor CORE's engagement channels. You will serve an integral support role across outreach efforts including but not limited to press, commissioners, and other community partners. You will support copywriting efforts with CORE team members to ensure consistent messaging, spearhead research to inform and evaluate communication strategies, and assist in designing marketing and event graphics. Candidates should be aware that occasional evening/ weekend work may be required for events or meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Communications Director in the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies and branding activities to promote CORE's initiatives and increase public awareness.

• Develop and manage CORE social media content calendar.

• Proactively monitor and draft report on social media analytics, audience growth, trends, and engagement.

• Support content creation for CORE social media channels.

• Coordinate content across the office for CORE newsletter, Racial Equity NYC.

• Prepare weekly news roundups, research relevant legislation, community organizations and resources for our internal gazette.

• Support media outreach efforts of key Commission activities and events.

• Maintain media lists, and proactively monitor media coverage and public discourse related to racial equity issues.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent messaging and branding across all communication channels.

• Conduct research and gather data to inform communication strategies and evaluate the impact of communication efforts.

• Supporting the design of related marketing, informational, and event graphics and other digital materials.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

• 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in communications, public relations, or media relations is preferred.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a penchant for plain language.

• Experience managing social media channels for an organization/brand (LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Medium).

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven track record of managing and executing work streams toward completion.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.

• Demonstrated commitment, competency and strong familiarity with issues affecting Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern and North African, or Pacific Islander communities in New York City, or other marginalized groups.

• An understanding of power, privilege, and oppression and how that shapes narrative.

• Excellent time management skills and experience working in a deadline-driven environment.

• Experience in community engagement, community organizing and serving in an accountability or oversight body is a plus.

• Bilingual (written and verbal) in Spanish or one of the following: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Urdu, Hindi is a plus.

• Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and/or video editing software.

• Familiarity with web content management systems (e.g., WordPress) and email marketing platforms (e.g., Canva, Mailchimp).

Salary

The Commission on Racial Equity's compensation package includes a market competitive salary and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role is $69,000 -$79,000. Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on candidate experience and expertise, and other factors.

Equal Opportunity | Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement

The Commission on Racial Equity 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.

The Commission upholds diversity in backgrounds and in experiences that is reflective of the city it serves. We strongly encourage Justice impacted, LGBTQIA+ and people from underrepresented groups to apply.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a veteran with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.

How to Apply

Send a copy of your resume, a cover letter to Candidate Application.

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.

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 required within 90 days of appointment.

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.