What: The Policy Advisor is a key member of ORR's Social and Economic Resiliency (SER) team which develops and implements initiatives to a) strengthen community and small business preparedness planning, b) support and expand sustainability and environmental quality of life programming, and c) promote social cohesion. This team also implements strategies to mitigate and adapt to health risks related to rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect.
This position reports to the Deputy Director for Social and Economic Resiliency and will support the development, management and implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation policies and programs that enhance the resiliency and environmental quality of life of New Yorkers. The Policy Advisor will also work closely and collaboratively with staff across ORR, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and multiple agency partners to effectively advance the team’s policy priorities with key stakeholders, to ensure relevant policy and program goals are aligned, and to achieve increased cooperation for community resiliency to extreme weather and other climate hazards. This position will also represent ORR in relevant meetings with external stakeholders, including community groups, funding organizations and other local and State partners. Responsibilities include:
- Develop, implement, and manage discrete initiatives of the SER team, as outlined in the “Neighborhoods” chapter of OneNYC.
- Support efforts to identify and secure funding from City, philanthropic and other relevant sources, including conducting research and preparing grant proposals to support current and future team initiatives and projects.
- Support the development of policy and initiatives by conducting data analysis and research, drafting relevant reports and memos, and providing support on relevant legislative and City Council-related tasks and queries.
- Quantitatively and qualitatively assess policies and agency initiatives on an ongoing basis to develop appropriate responses and recommendations and formulate team positions.
- Foster relationships with community organizations, government agencies and others to develop positive relationships and networks and to advance program implementation.
- Identify and coordinate new opportunities to facilitate community-based planning and initiatives that enhance social cohesion and community preparedness, including fostering relationships with external stakeholders and City agencies such as NYC Housing Authority, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department for the Aging, and Department of City Planning, and examine the potential role and application of public-private partnerships.
- Assess existing and research new policies, incentives and other mechanisms at the City, State and Federal level to support the enhancement of social cohesion, including identifying opportunities to apply them in the NYC context.
- Support public engagement efforts; assisting in organizing meetings with internal and external partners, and community groups (occasionally on weekends and evenings).
- Assist with special projects as needed, and lead other duties, as assigned.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree with 3 to 5 years of relevant, full-time professional work experience.
- A background in public policy, law, urban planning, sustainability management, emergency preparedness and recovery planning, community planning, or program development for community-based organizations.
- An understanding of climate change, community adaptation planning, and an awareness of existing national, state and local policies and trends aimed at supporting resilient and sustainable communities. Familiarity with New York City and its communities a plus.
- Demonstrated experience with building relationships with community stakeholders and in coordinating projects involving multiple constituents.
- Demonstrated presentation, research and data analysis skills including the ability to gather and synthesize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue. Familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint, experience working with datasets, and proficiency in analytical software and geographic information systems (GIS) a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information into accessible forms. Clear, effective writing style is a must.
- Excellent organizational, project management and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to complete work independently with broadly defined work objectives.
- Willingness to travel in the 5 boroughs and work after hours or on weekends, as required.
- Fluency in a second language a plus.
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