Director of Community Affairs, Office of External Affairs/Bureau of Government Affairs

Director of Community Affairs, Office of External Affairs/Bureau of Government Affairs

• DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE

Posted On: 12/31/2025

• Full-Time

Location

QUEENS

• Exam May Be Required

Department

OEA - GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Salary Range:

$68,214.00 – $120,000.00

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Job Description

The Office of External Affairs oversees many of the agency's most critical interactions with the public, from raising awareness and promoting healthy behaviors to advancing policies and responding to health emergencies. The office serves as the agency's in-house publisher, advertiser and marketer of trendsetting, culturally responsive campaigns and initiatives, maintains a strong digital presence both web and social media, oversees press relations and government affairs. The Bureau of Government Affairs is responsible for coordinating all interactions between the Department, other government entities, and the City, State, and Federal legislative bodies and elected officials. Intergovernmental Affairs assists in developing policies that improve the regulatory, administrative, and funding environments for health and mental hygiene.


DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for engaging elected officials, community boards, community-based organizations and partners and serving as liaison to our program staff.
• Represent the Department and speak publicly about Department policies and programs, disseminate information vital to effective functioning of agency programs.
• Ensure the inquiries from local elected officials and community organizations are responded to quickly and accurately.
• Manage a staff of community liaisons (5) to ensure proper follow-up to inquiries, attendance of community meetings and linking staff to proper internal resources to maximize outreach and engagement potential.
• Advise senior staff including the Assistant Commissioner of Government Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs, other agency Deputy Commissioners and the Commissioner of Health on political and community concerns.
• Work closely with Inter-Governmental Affairs, Press, Communications and Marketing.
• Engage in readiness and preparedness for public health emergency response.
• Advance the Department's work on health equity and narrowing the gaps of health disparities.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Excellent writing, editing and interpersonal skills
• Sound judgement and equanimity in high-pressure situations
• Ability to handle multiple deadline assignments in a quickly changing environment
• An understanding of public health issues and the ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies at all levels
• Proficiency in other languages will be strongly considered.

Why you should work for us:

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.

- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.


Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.


Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!


The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [email protected] or 347-396-6549.


ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS PROMOT - 1000C

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and five years of full-time paid experience acquired within the last fifteen years, of supervisory or administrative experience including handling of business promotion or urban economic problems, at least 2 years of which must have been in a managerial or executive capacity with primary focus on business promotion or urban economic planning; or


2. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However all candidates must have 2 years of managerial or executive experience as described in "1" above.


Appropriate graduate study in an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general experience on a year-for-year basis. All candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.

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

Residency Requirement

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.

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.

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Job ID

764030

Posted until

04/09/2026

Title code

1000C

Civil service title

ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS PROMOT

Title classification

Competitive-1

Business title

Director Of Community Affairs, Office Of External Affairs/Bureau Of Government Affairs

• Experience Level:

  Experienced (Non-Manager)

Job level

00

Number of positions

1

Work location

42-09 28th Street

• Category:

  Health

Director of Community Affairs, Office of External Affairs/Bureau of Government Affairs