The Office of the Bronx Borough President is committed to building relationships, creating access and opportunities for our youth and families, and ensuring that government invests in the borough to build economic wealth for all. The Communications department prepares all external communications on behalf of the Borough President, helping to create a transparent and fluid partnership with the public. The Press Secretary is responsible for drafting of press releases, talking points, organizing local press events, updating the official website, coordinating with reporters, executing social media posts, and coordinating Tele-town halls. The Press Secretary acts as the second, formal spokesperson and media liaison for all local news outlets. Ideal candidates possess excellent oral and written communication skills, can work effectively under the leadership of the Communications Director to execute a successful communications effort with outside parties.

Specific responsibilities will include:
- Fielding and responding to incoming reporter inquiries, developing talking points, tracking news trends, and planning activity against that appropriately.
- Developing and executing media strategies that align with and fulfill overarching communications priorities recommended by the Director of Communications.
- Establishing and managing relationships with community-based, city-wide, and key national reporters, media outlets to ensure maximum reach of publicity.
- Monitoring breaking news and responding appropriately to the relevant borough or city-wide news.
- Attending Ask the BP on a rotating basis and collaborate on the briefing.
- Composing citations and proclamations for community residents/organizations/events.
- Drafting all written press communications coming from the Office of the Bronx Borough President including press releases, media advisories, quotes on behalf of spokespeople, and op-eds.
- Coordinating events on behalf of the Bronx Borough President's Office such as location, . coordinating audio/visuals, liaising with IGA and community affairs on the participation of elected officials and other community members/representation, coordinating media attendance through media advisories, preparing run-of-show, conducting appropriate follow-up post-event.
- Preparing talking points and scripts for the Bronx Borough President and Deputy Borough President prior to media interviews and public appearances.
- Responsible for drafting all written press communications for press releases, media advisories, quotes on behalf of spokespeople, and op-eds.
- Staffing the Bronx Borough President and/or Deputy Borough President at press events and overseeing and managing media interactions.
- Prepare ongoing metrics reports of media relations, including providing media clips featuring the Borough President and the Deputy Borough President. Confirms emcees for events as needed.
- Other tasks as assigned.

Media Relationships:
- Each week forming relationships with 3 new reporters and/or media representatives and presenting that information to the Communications Director.
- Keeping an excel sheet of media contacts broken down by print or video media and if they are local media vs citywide, nationwide, etc.


Media Tracking:

- Keeping a database of press clips of the BP and DBP to track trends of BP's appearance in media on a word document that is updated weekly in preparation for the weekly staff meetings and analyzing those trends.
- Submit a document of 3 occurrences in the news on the federal, state and city and borough levels as it relates to our office/current events/policy daily.
- Working alongside Social Media Manager/Spanish Press Liaison on trends in Spanish media to increase Spanish media outreach.
- The Press Secretary should also devise written strategies in collaboration with Comms Directors
on targeted outreach to media outlets for events and/or announcements.


Media Advisories:

- Media advisories should be sent to the media at least three days prior to the event and either the day before or day of the event/press announcement. Drafts will be submitted and approved by Communications Director and other Directors when appropriate. Information should be thoroughly fact checked, read for clarity of content, and proofread prior to sending to Communications Director for approval.


Press Releases:

- Press Releases should be sent out the same day as what we are announcing. Press Releases should be issued after a big press announcement and should include a link to photos of the event which includes b-roll and photos. The Press Secretary is expected to always get vertical b-roll at each event to send to the press.
- If quotes are needed from additional partners, they should be collected prior to the day of the press announcement.
- Press Releases should be written in past tense and are essentially media advisories with additional information.

Written Communication:
Having proficient or near proficient writing skills is required for this role and is expected. If multiple grammatical errors are present in work presented to the Communications Director or emails, it
could lead to a write up and if it persists further action will be taken. If assistance is needed to ensure grammar efficiently, please reach out to the Communications Director immediately.

Citations and Proclamations:
Working alongside other Communications Staff to draft and assemble citations and proclamations as needed.

Journal Letters/ Congratulatory Letters:
The Press Secretary will draft letters for approval by the Communications Director and create a rolling list on excel of letter requests and completions that should be updated as requests come in.

Coverage:
All Communications staff will be expected to cover certain events as assigned by the Communications Director. Any event hosted by the unit will be covered by all Comms staff. Comms staff assigned to an event should arrive at minimum, 30 minutes prior to the start of the event if they are not riding with the BP or DBP. They should also bring with them a printed copy of the briefing if Communications was expected to draft one for the assigned event.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time experience in journalism or communications with a mandatory 18 months in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or in the supervision of professionals involved in journalism or communications; or
2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have 18 months of supervisory, administrative, managerial or executive capacity as described in "1" above.

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.

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.