JOB DESCRIPTION

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the city towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The Department of Correction seeks to appoint an Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, who under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Operations, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent action and decision-making will develop and manage the agency’s, intergovernmental relations and will coordinate policy development on related Departmental issues. The chosen candidate will have demonstrated success influencing decision-makers and oversight bodies, specifically Board of Correction, on policy issues, preferably in New York City and New York State; developing relationships with key government and community leaders; building coalitions to achieve desired results; and handling various inquiries from constituents. This role requires someone who can represent the Department and liaise with external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner. In addition, the job candidate must be able to adapt to a fast-paced environment, managing multiple competing priorities and using sound judgment in decision-making, while effectively messaging to Departmental leadership. The selected candidate’s responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Manage and lead a team of supervisors and policy analysts.
• Liaise with City Hall, elected officials and their offices, Board of Correction,

along with other oversight bodies.

• Work closely and collaboratively with executive staff to effectively promote all policy

positions and policy strategies to critical stakeholders and external entities to achieve

desired outcomes.

• Analyze oversight regulations and standards and recommend appropriate agency response.
• Oversee and draft departmental responses to public reports issued by the Board of Correction.
• Advise executive staff on issues involving external affairs and legislative sensitivity.
• Meet and maintain working relationships with Federal, State and City elected officials and their aides.
• Prepare written remarks, talking points, and background materials for public BOC meetings.
• Oversee correspondence with external stakeholders, including but not limited to legislative staff

and other government agencies.

• Ensure high-quality and timely responses to all inquiries regarding all activities of the Department.
• Oversee and coordinate visits to NYC DOC facilities for elected officials and external partners.
• Identify trends in correspondence to find root causes of recurring problems and implement solutions.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive intergovernmental affairs strategy.
• Lead and support operational projects.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Qualification Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and four years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a responsible supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity; or
2. A high school diploma or evidence of having passed a high school equivalency examination and six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above. Service as an inmate in correctional or related facility may be substituted for a portion of the required experience up to a maximum of two years on a year for year basis. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration which includes a field placement performing duties as described above, may be substituted for up to one year of full-time experience as described in “1” above. However, all candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience as described in “1” above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Ability to be on call, work after business hours and on weekends. - Familiarity with law enforcement and correction. - At least three years of executive management experience. - Experience in city, state and federal government a plus. - Excellent writing, communication, inter-personal, time-management and organizational skills. - Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate. - Ability to retain confidential information. - Ability to work quickly under pressure and strict deadlines while still ensuring a high-quality work product. - Possess commitment to community engagement and a collaborative work ethic. - Ability to engage and build relationships with a range of stakeholders and community partners. - Professional experience working with a range of stakeholders, including hard-to-engage communities, local government, non-profits, business organizations and academic institutions. - Knowledge of communications, community engagement practice, recruitment, and marketing. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), social media and other data sources proficiency.

• Manage and lead a team of supervisors and policy analysts.
• Liaise with City Hall, elected officials and their offices, Board of Correction