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Intergovernmental Affairs Director

City of New York, Lincoln, NE, United States


ABOUT THE OFFICE The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor and First Deputy Mayor on criminal justice policy and is the mayor’s representative to the courts, district attorneys, defenders, and state criminal justice agencies, among others. The office designs, deploys and evaluates citywide strategies to drive down crime, reduce unnecessary arrests and incarceration, and improve the system’s fairness. MOCJ works with law enforcement and city agencies, non‑profits, foundations, and others to implement data‑driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.

ABOUT THE ROLE Under the direction of the Chief of Public Affairs, with wide latitude for initiative, judgment and action, the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs will be passionate about policy – and the relationships that drive it. This role requires strong political acumen, strategic judgment, and the ability to translate complex criminal justice initiatives into clear and persuasive communications for policymakers and stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Intergovernmental Strategy & Representation

Serve as the primary point of contact for elected officials, legislative staff, and government affairs offices

Develop and implement comprehensive engagement strategies to advance MOCJ’s policy and operational priorities

Represent MOCJ at interagency meetings, legislative briefings, and external convenings

Lead agency coordination related to City Council oversight hearings, testimony preparation, and legislative inquiries

Legislative & Policy Analysis

Monitor, analyze, and track legislation and policy developments at the City, State, and Federal levels

Assess potential operational, fiscal, and legal impacts of proposed legislation on MOCJ programs

Advise executive leadership on risks, opportunities, and strategic positioning

Draft briefings, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership

Executive Communications & Testimony

Prepare leadership for meetings, hearings, public testimony, and high‑level stakeholder engagements

Draft testimony, talking points, public remarks, and background materials aligned with agency priorities

Ensure messaging is consistent, accurate, and responsive to political and community context

Relationship Management & External Affairs

Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with elected officials on behalf of the agency

Identify and proactively manage emerging issues, vulnerabilities, and opportunities affecting MOCJ

Initiative Leadership & Project Management

Lead intergovernmental efforts related to priority initiatives, including jail population reduction, diversion programs, and public safety reforms

Manage multiple concurrent priorities, timelines, and deliverables

Supervise and mentor the Intergovernmental Affairs Manager

Develop internal tracking systems to ensure legislative follow‑up and accountability

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Do you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university?

Do you have an associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities?

Do you have a four‑year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization along with four (4) years of experience as described in question "2" above?

Do you have a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in questions "1," "2," and/or "3" above?

PREFERRED SKILLS

Attention to detail and deadlines

Experience managing people and/or projects

Experience building relationships across different organizations

Experience in public speaking and/or speechwriting

Experience related to criminal justice, legal, and/or regulatory issues

An advanced degree from an accredited educational institution – or comparable professional experience.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

EEO STATEMENT 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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in this specific position.

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