The Public Advocate for the City of New York is a citywide elected official who serves as a direct link between the electorate and city government, effectively acting as an ombudsman, or “watchdog,” for New Yorkers by providing oversight of city agencies, investigating citizens’ complaints about city services and making legislative or policy proposals to address perceived shortcomings of those services. The Public Advocate presides over New York City Council stated meetings and is a non-voting member of the Council with the right to introduce and co-sponsor legislation. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams seeks qualified candidates who value all of the diversity that exists within New York City, and believes that all New Yorkers deserve a government that is equitable, efficient and accountable.

Reporting to the Director of Legislation & Policy, the Legislative & Policy Associate will help develop and implement the public policy priorities of the Public Advocate’s Office on various subject areas, including human and government services, health and environmental issues with a specific focus on immigration policy. The Associate will research and write high-quality reports and issue briefs and be responsive to breaking issues or news. The Associate will also develop strategies to achieve needed policy improvements, working with community and advocacy groups, and with our legislative and legal teams;


Develop and maintain expertise on assigned policy and legislative areas;

Analyze city, state and federal level policies, identify emerging trends and develop recommendations for needed improvements;

Write testimonies, high-quality reports, issue briefs, talking points, legislative summaries and analysis and other written products in a clear and persuasive manner;

Build and maintain relationships with key community, legislative staff, policy, advocacy and research groups;

Effectively communicate and work with a wide variety of audiences, including advocates, experts, government officials and staff, and others;

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLIC ADVOCA - 94496

Prior experience in Immigration Policy preferred.

Exceptional research, analytical, written and oral communication skills.

Strong policy analysis skills, including the capacity to understand complex legislative and policy provisions, assess the political and budgetary context, and use data and research to assess the strengths and weakness of policy options.

Experience with cost-benefit and fiscal policy analysis a plus.

Strong existing networks in the key policy areas are a plus, as is experience working with senior government policy makers.

Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with a wide-range of internal and external partners and stakeholders.

Demonstrated capacity to set priorities, work on multiple detail-oriented tasks, often on time-sensitive basis; quickly respond to breaking issues.

Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Five years of relevant experience preferred.

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/

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.

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.