Special Assistant to the Commissioner

About DYCD and Role Overview

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is dedicated to supporting community organizations and programs aimed at reducing poverty and fostering growth for New Yorkers and their communities. DYCD is currently seeking a Special Assistant to the Commissioner to help oversee daily operations within the Commissioner’s Office and to facilitate effective coordination of priorities and activities throughout the agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Commissioner’s daily calendar by scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, and ensuring priority alignment.
• Prepare and organize meeting materials, briefings, and documents for internal and external engagements, including agendas and background information.
• Monitor follow-up items to guarantee timely responses to requests and inquiries.
• Support workflow and coordination improvement projects, including implementing technologies such as artificial intelligence.
• Act as a primary liaison between the Commissioner’s Office, internal teams, community partners, nonprofit providers, and other city agencies.
• Maintain the flow and organization of communications and information to ensure clarity and accessibility.
• Assist in coordination during meetings, site visits, and external events, sometimes accompanying the Commissioner.
• Manage real-time coordination in multi-stakeholder engagements, organizing requests and supporting the Commissioner.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Strategic Communications, to prepare materials and align messaging across communication and social media channels.
• Organize documents, files, and office systems to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
• Exercise discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Work closely with the Commissioner’s scheduler to align calendar needs and priorities smoothly.
• Coordinate with scheduling teams and executives across City Hall and partner agencies to arrange meetings and events.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least three years of progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience, including one year in a high-level administrative role or supervising clerical/administrative staff; or
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited institution coupled with four years of progressively responsible administrative experience including one year in a high-level administrative role; or
• A high school diploma or equivalent plus five years of relevant experience, including one year in a high-level administrative capacity as described above.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent organizational abilities and time management skills.
• Sharp attention to detail with the capacity to juggle multiple priorities efficiently.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Comfortable with various technology tools and data management systems.
• Interest in leveraging emerging technologies, notably AI, to enhance workflow and productivity.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration with staff across all levels.
• Composure and organizational strength in high-visibility or dynamic situations.
• High professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Experience within government, nonprofit, or public service sectors, with knowledge of community-based organizations.

Additional Notes

City residency is generally required within 90 days after appointment, with exceptions for certain employees. Prospective employees might qualify for federal loan forgiveness and state repayment programs. The City of New York is committed to equal employment opportunities and a discrimination-free workplace.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $150,000 annually.