Community Legislative Liaison, Bureau of Government Affairs

Community Legislative Liaison, Bureau of Government Affairs

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (The Health Department) protects and promotes the health of eight million New Yorkers with a budget of $2 billion, and roughly 7,000 staff. Central to this effort are programs that combat communicable diseases, expand access to health care, provide maternal health support, surveil human health conditions from chronic disease to mental health and substance use issues, and tackle other public health challenges.

Pursuing effective public health policy is also vital to this work. The Legislative Affairs unit within the Bureau of Government Affairs plays a central role in DOHMH's ability to fulfil its mission by developing the agency's legislative agenda at the City, State and Federal levels, serving as the agency's point of contact for elected officials and coordinating legislative discussions with the Mayor's office and other City agencies.

The Bureau also coordinates the Department's appearance at public hearings; maintain relationships with advocacy groups, civic organizations and lobbyists; and coordinates with the agency's press office and communications teams on external communications and events. The Community Affairs Unit helps the Department maintain good relations with elected officials, community boards, civic organizations, and other stakeholders by responding quickly and accurately to requests for information, organizing speakers for community events, problem solving and informing members of Department initiatives.

The Legislative Affairs and Community Affairs units in the Office of External Affairs within the Bureau of Government Affairs seek to hire a Community Legislative Liaison. DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Respond in a timely, concise, and intelligible fashion to inquiries from local elected officials, community boards and the general public
• Attend and represent the Department at community board meetings, town halls, public meetings in response to day-to-day operations and public health emergencies
• Disseminate public health information to community stakeholders and the public
• Provides staffing and supporting role to the Public Information Office (PIO) during public health emergency activations
• Participates in public health emergency trainings
• Coordinate logistics of convening community/public forums and meetings with other city agencies and stake holders (e.g. hospitals)
• Research, track, and analyze legislation and coordinate the department's response in areas that may include the Office of Emergency Preparedness, Center for Population Health Data Science federal affairs, and other program areas as needed.
• Prep executive-level leadership in the agency for public hearings and meetings with elected officials.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with other organizational units within the Health Department and other key partners.
• Assist in developing and implementing legislative strategies.
• Serve as a liaison to the Mayor's Office by representing the Department's position on public health issues and coordinating with internal partners.
• Investigate and respond to elected official requests regarding general information on Health Department programs or actions.
• Develop briefing materials and other content with research data and reports for the city council, state legislature, and federal government.
• Maintenance of other internal unit and/or division organizational systems.

Preferred

Skills:

• Excellent analytical, political, and writing skills.
• Experience working in government and/or intergovernmental/legislative affairs.
• Academic background in political science, public policy, public health, or related field.
• Spreadsheets, Airtable, and data-tracking skills.
• Must be self-motivated, able to work on multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and share the agency's commitment to public health.

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness:
  As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance.
• Benefits:
  City employees are entitled…