The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) represents the Mayor in the conduct of all labor relations between the City of New York and labor unions representing employees of the City. The Commissioner serves on behalf of the Mayor as the City’s liaison with both labor and management in the private sector. The office is authorized by Executive Order 38 (February 7, 1967), amended by Executive Order 13 (July 24, 1990).
Additionally, OLR administers the Health Benefits Program, Management Benefits Fund, Employee Assistance Program, Work Well NYC, Medicare Part B Reimbursement and Pre-Tax Benefits & Citywide Programs including the Deferred Compensation Plan and NYCE IRA. In addition to negotiating collective bargaining agreements, OLR serves as a resource to agencies with regard to workforce labor issues and works with the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) to pursue innovations in a variety of areas, particularly regarding City health insurance programs. The staff at OLR assist their fellow agencies in handling personnel and payroll issues, conducting labor-management meetings, representing the City at representation hearings, and handling all employee grievances and arbitration matters while also negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the City's 149 bargaining units.
Within OLR, the newly established Communications Division operates as the strategic engine for building a dedicated public-facing communications apparatus from the ground up. This position will directly impact the lives of over a million New York City public servants and retirees, helping shape how essential health benefits, wellness initiatives, and labor policies are communicated across the entire municipal workforce. The Communications Associate will work with the Director of Communications to connect workforce engagement with broader public education, helping New York City constituents understand the vital intersection of labor, public service, and city life making this an ideal placement for anyone passionate about the modern labor movement and municipal policy.
Job Summary:
- Drafting Communications: Writing, proofreading, and editing press releases, statements, talking points and interview briefings.
- Strategic Planning: Building communication plans and strategies for internal and external campaigns (i.e. Health Benefits, Employee resources, etc.)
- Intergovernmental & Policy Coordination: Tracking legislative developments, policy shifts, and elected official activities, while coordinating communications and messaging alignment with partner City agencies and external government stakeholders. Work with Director to establish messaging frameworks and policy briefings for communications.
- Briefing & Collateral Management: Maintaining and regularly updating comprehensive subject matter briefing materials, policy one-pagers, and talking points for agency leadership to ensure accurate, unified communication.
- Media Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with journalists, tracking media coverage.
- Research and Reporting: Monitoring industry news, researching PR strategies, and compiling analytics reports on the success of communication campaigns.
- Internal Communications: Assist with the planning of internal events and internal communication materials as necessary.
ASSOCIATE PUBLIC INFORMATION - 60816
Qualification Requirements
1. A master's degree in journalism or public relations from an accredited college; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism or advertising; or
3. An associate degree or completion of 60 credits from an accredited college and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism or advertising; or
4. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. However, all candidates must have at least 60 credits from an accredited college.
For Assignment Level II
To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements described above for Assignment Level I, at least one additional year of the full-time experience in public relations, journalism, or advertising.
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.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in journalism or public relations from an accredited college.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism, or advertising.
- Associate degree or completion of 60 credits and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in public relations, journalism, or advertising.
- Education and/or experience equivalent to the above; all candidates must have at least 60 credits from an accredited college.
- For Assignment Level II: at least one additional year of full-time experience in public relations, journalism, or advertising after meeting minimum requirements.
