Special Assistant

Special Assistant

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. DOC is looking for a dynamic Special Assistant to provide administrative support to the Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives, who currently oversees the Department's Project Management Office, Policy and Procedures Unit and the Borough-Based Jails Transition Team. Responsibilities include calendar management, coordinating correspondence, and handling routine administrative tasks. Additionally, the assistant will support the Assistant Commissioner by coordinating projects and special assignments. This role demands strong organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the executive's priorities and objectives. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the Assistant Commissioner;
• Oversee scheduling and coordinate communications with both internal and external stakeholders;
• Manage all meeting logistics, including securing conference room reservations, coordinating virtual meeting platforms, and preparing and distributing all requisite materials to participants;
• Prepare detailed meeting agendas, take comprehensive notes during meetings, and draft clear readouts and summaries for distribution to relevant parties;
• Support with conducting research and preparing presentations or memoranda;
• Assist with document control functions by systematically organizing, maintaining, and tracking all materials and records associated with various projects and initiatives to ensure accuracy and accessibility.

Establish and sustain productive working relationships with agency staff to support seamless communication and collaboration; manage general office functions, including filing, photocopying, and ordering supplies to support daily operations; and provide support for special projects and perform additional duties as assigned. Preferred Skills - Self-motivated with strong ability to work independently and collaboratively. Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills; proven organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities; adept at managing multiple priorities; proficient in office and project management with experience coordinating across teams and departments; detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications : 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and three years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical / administrative experience, one year of which must have been in an administrative capacity or supervising staff performing clerical / administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or 2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical / administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience described in "1" above; or 3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of satisfactory full-time progressively responsible clerical / administrative experience including one year of the administrative supervisory experience as described in "1" above; 4. Education and / or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above. However, all candidates must possess the one year of administrative or supervisory experience as described in "1" above. Education above the high school level may be substituted for the general clerical / administrative experience (but not for the one year of administrative or supervisory experience described in "1" above) at a rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 6 months of experience up to a maximum of 3 years.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.

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.

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.