Chief of Public Information / Communications

ABOUT THE ROLE The Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County (BXDA) is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Chief of Public Information Officer / Communications. This role is central to the BXDA's mission of pursuing justice with integrity by ensuring public safety and equal justice for the Bronx community. The Chief will leverage strong knowledge of New York City, the Bronx, the Criminal Justice System, and police issues to handle media requests, disseminate news to the media and public, and manage internal communications. The ideal candidate will have experience as a journalist covering these subjects and will serve as the primary spokesperson for the District Attorney. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Oversee staff tasked with handling media inquiries, arranging interviews, organizing press conferences, and drafting press releases, external newsletters, and internal communications such as memos. - Prepare speeches, testimony, and PowerPoint presentations for the District Attorney. - Accompany the District Attorney to events, meetings, and external press conferences. - Advise the District Attorney on communication matters. - Oversee the strategy for communication with the public, the press, and other organizations. - Ensure consistent, clear, and concise messaging across all modes of communication. - Respond to inquiries from reporters, press, and via the BXDA public website. - Serve as the Office point of contact and spokesperson for the District Attorney. - Manage the day-to-day operations of the Communications/Public Information Unit. - Mentor and supervise staff. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Option 1: Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and four years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, public relations, advertising, or closely related fields. Option 2: High school graduation or evidence of having passed an examination for a high school equivalency diploma plus eight years of full-time, paid experience in the areas stated above. Option 3: Education and/or experience equivalent to Option 1 or 2. Preferred Qualifications and Skills: - Master’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, or Journalism. - Seven to ten years of experience as a journalist covering crime, the criminal justice system, and police issues in New York City. These years may be combined with experience as a public information officer or in a spokesperson role. - Five years’ experience in a supervisory role. - Experience working with local outlets and a strong network of press contacts. - Knowledge of the diversity and complexity of Bronx County. - Strong understanding of the Criminal Justice system, Bronx communities, and NYC. - Excellent writing, editing, oral, and communication skills. - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain a flexible schedule. - Ability to effectively engage in inter/intra-agency collaboration and navigate a variety of systems. - Ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines. - Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), Adobe, MS Teams, Zoom, and social media. - Expertise and experience in handling sensitive and controversial issues. - High level of integrity and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, with some nights and weekends required. - Residency Requirement: City Residency is not required for this position. SELECTION PROCESS No Exam Required. This is a Non-Competitive-5 classification. HOW TO APPLY Apply via the official job posting portal using Job ID 779916. The posting is open until 09/07/2026. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Location: Bronx (Work location: 198 E161St Street Bronx N.Y.) - Department: Support Staff - Job Level: M3 - Number of Positions: 1 - Experience Level: Manager - Benefits: Eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs (PSLF) and state repayment assistance programs. - Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of New York is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce free from discrimination and harassment.