ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: In November 2018, New York City voters approved three ballot initiatives establishing the New York City Civic Engagement Commission. The Commission is focused on promoting civic engagement across all of City government and making New York City decision making accessible to all New Yorkers. Specifically, the Charter mandates the Commission with running a citywide participatory budgeting program, providing poll site interpretation services, providing technical assistance to community boards, partnering with community-based organizations and civic leaders to increase awareness of City services, and assisting City agencies in developing civic engagement initiatives.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: The Civic Engagement Commission is seeking to hire a Support Specialist to deliver on the core functions of the Commission, including implementing participatory budgeting, supporting poll site interpretation services on for public elections, and supporting additional community board needs as necessary.
Reporting to the Chair of the Civic Engagement Commission, and working closely with General Counsel and Director of Administration, all City agencies and community members, the Support Specialist has the following responsibilities:
• Providing administrative support to the Chair and General Counsel & Director of Administration;
• Provide communication support including 311 & website queries; developing flyers, brochures, pamphlets; updating website & other social media channels
• Coordinate meetings of the Commission, including posting public notice and coordination of ASL and language access services for participants of hearings;
• Executing administrative processes and protocols for the Commission including documenting meetings and attendees and ensuring compliance with the needs of the programs;
• Supporting all logistics for poll site interpretation and participatory budgeting processes as needed including, outreach, volunteer coordination, and other tasks;
• Maintain database of outreach contacts;
• Support the language assistance advisory committee and the participatory budgeting committee as necessary;
• Attend community or other meetings to support the work of the Commission;
• Manage additional discrete projects as necessary;
• During the Commission’s nascent phase, a willingness to pitch in to ensure operations and office administration run smoothly and early projects are a success.
• Handle special projects and initiatives as assigned.
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.
Preferred Skills
The preferred candidate should possess the following:
• Experience engaging with community members, community boards, and local elected officials;
• Interest in civic and immigrant-related issues including voting rights, civic engagement, and language access;
• Keen attention to detail, flexibility and an enthusiastic work ethic;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to think creatively, embrace new approaches for solving complex operational problems across a variety of program areas of the Commission;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other MS Office applications;
• Working or advanced knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator or similar application
• Additional language skills preferred.
