Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Draft, edit, and review public information materials and content that help explain the New York State Human Rights Law, the Division’s discrimination reporting and complaint process, and the rights and protections guaranteed to New Yorkers under the law. This will include, for example: press releases, talking points, remarks, statements, presentations, short- and long-form video scripts, newsletters, web content, fact sheets, brochures, and materials for internal agency communications.
- Assist in coordination of media relations activities on behalf of the Division, including developing and maintaining press relationships, responding to press inquiries, developing media and pitching plans for specific agency initiatives and announcements, and tracking media coverage.
- Work with units across the Division to help identify compelling stories, accomplishments, data, and information that demonstrate the Division’s impact.
- Monitor civil and human rights-focused news, compile brief daily news clip reports for internal circulation, and identify opportunities for the Division to engage with relevant news stories and events.
- Help maintain the Division’s website by updating language and ensuring public-facing documents and meet accessibility and quality assurance standards
- Staff events where the Division is represented, including taking photos and videos and engaging with members of the media.
- Coordinate with other New York State agencies, community organizations, and other external partners on shared communications initiatives.
- Assist with keeping and organizing internal documents and files for the Communications Unit.
- Serve as the team’s point of contact for vendors who translate vital documents into languages for distribution to New Yorkers across the state.
- Assist team with capturing content for social media as needed, which could include filming content and/or acting as on-screen talent for videos produced by the Division.
- Perform other communications and public information duties as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
Current New York State Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service as a Public Information Specialist 1 and are interested in reassignment; OR current New York State employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service in a position at SG-16 or above and eligible for transfer under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications: Either
- a bachelor’s degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, films, TV productions, or digital marketing AND two years of experience in public or governmental relations, and/or in writing or producing content for various media;
Or
- a master’s or higher degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, films, TV productions, or digital marketing AND one year of experience in public or governmental relations, and/or in writing or producing content for various media;
Or
- six years of the experience described above.
Non-qualifying degrees: Examples of non-qualifying degrees include political science, theater, sports science, and education.
Non-qualifying experience: Experience limited to blogs, personal business, or personal webpage/website, will not be considered qualifying for the purposes of this examination.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills; proven attention to detail while aligning messaging with organizational communications priorities and strategies.
- Ability to communicate complicated information clearly, succinctly, and accurately for a public audience.
- Experience pitching and securing news coverage with state, local, and national media outlets.
- Experience working in government, civil rights, journalism, public affairs, or other relevant sectors.
- Ability to remain collected and organized while prioritizing competing responsibilities; has adept understanding of what quality and quantity of work is needed to meet deadlines.
- Ability to initiate and maintain relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders including reporters, journalists, Division employees and leadership, etc.
- Proven experience developing and delivering succinct, informative, and thoroughly crafted messaging; strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Proficiency in a language other than English.
Candidates will be required to submit at least three writing samples that showcase a diverse portfolio of content and their skills. These samples can include press releases, digital video scripts, speeches, talking points, etc.
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
New York State is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination.