The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,000 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.
The Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking an experienced communications officer and speechwriter to join its high-volume press operation and be part of the department’s communications team. The Office of Public Information plays a key role in articulating DOC’s overall reform policy agenda and media strategy, including supporting all units on internal and external communications and managing interactions with the media. The office also responds to journalists’ requests for information, disseminates news about major initiatives, and communicates with the public through traditional and digital media.
This is a fast-paced, demanding post that requires strategic planning, flexible work hours and the ability to work with a sense of urgency to meet the non-stop demands of a 24-hour news cycle. This is an ideal opportunity for an accomplished, detail-oriented self-starter who can work quickly and write well under time constraints, think both tactically and strategically, and handle a myriad of challenging responsibilities on a wide range of media-relations areas. Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information the incumbent will be part of a team who will help manage the following:
working closely with staff throughout the department to ensure accuracy.
outlets to ensure accurate coverage of DOC initiatives.
The Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking an experienced communications officer and speechwriter to join its high-volume press operation and be part of the department’s communications team. The Office of Public Information plays a key role in articulating DOC’s overall reform policy agenda and media strategy, including supporting all units on internal and external communications and managing interactions with the media. The office also responds to journalists’ requests for information, disseminates news about major initiatives, and communicates with the public through traditional and digital media.
This is a fast-paced, demanding post that requires strategic planning, flexible work hours and the ability to work with a sense of urgency to meet the non-stop demands of a 24-hour news cycle. This is an ideal opportunity for an accomplished, detail-oriented self-starter who can work quickly and write well under time constraints, think both tactically and strategically, and handle a myriad of challenging responsibilities on a wide range of media-relations areas. Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information the incumbent will be part of a team who will help manage the following:
- Manage a dedicated team of Press Officers.
- Manage daily press inquiries, pitch positive news stories, write press materials, prepare public
working closely with staff throughout the department to ensure accuracy.
- Actively pitch positive news stories to reporters from local and citywide publications and websites.
- Compose press releases, advisories, speeches, talking points, related presentations, and information;
outlets to ensure accurate coverage of DOC initiatives.
- Help to plan and manage frequent events for staff and stakeholders.
- Participate in on-call weekly rotation on nights and weekends responding to press inquiries.
- Advise senior leadership on pressing media inquires; help prepare the Commissioner and staff for any
- Liaise with City Hall press team on all media inquires; ability to clearly articulate complex and sensitive
- Assist the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information with strategizing proactive and reactive media
- Support writing and editing content for in-house communication tools including websites, social media
Minimum Qual Requirements
Qualification Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and four years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a responsible supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity; or
2. A high school diploma or evidence of having passed a high school equivalency examination and six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Service as an inmate in correctional or related facility may be substituted for a portion of the required experience up to a maximum of two years on a year for year basis. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration which includes a field placement performing duties as described above, may be substituted for up to one year of full-time experience as described in "1" above. However, all candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and four years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a responsible supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity; or
2. A high school diploma or evidence of having passed a high school equivalency examination and six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Service as an inmate in correctional or related facility may be substituted for a portion of the required experience up to a maximum of two years on a year for year basis. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration which includes a field placement performing duties as described above, may be substituted for up to one year of full-time experience as described in "1" above. However, all candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.
Preferred Skills
- Possess extensive experience as a journalist or as a communications specialist in handling calls from
- Knowledge of NYC government and the criminal justice system a plus.
- Ability to work late nights, weekends/holidays on call.
- Capable of expanding relationships with members of the media.
- Ability to foster positive relationships with staff at all levels of the agency and retirees.
- Be a self-directed individual with the proven ability to take initiative as a problem solver.
- Be capable of multi-tasking and handling high-stress crisis communications situations.
- Possess the ability to operate in a high-volume, deadline driven environment.
- Understand and communicate information about sensitive criminal justice issues
Additional Information
The City of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance for the employee and his/her spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26, union benefits such as dental and vision coverage, paid annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, a pension, and optional savings and pre-tax programs such as Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.
To Apply
For City employees: Go to Employee Self-Service (ESS) - www.nyc.gov/ess and search for Job ID# 585898. For all other applicants: Go to https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 585898.
Submission of a resume is not a guarantee that you will receive an interview.
Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
Submission of a resume is not a guarantee that you will receive an interview.
Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
Public Svc 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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is not required.
