Position Summary: The
Policy Advisor for Education works closely with the Office of the First Deputy Mayor and leadership at NYC Public Schools to manage and support the educational and operational goals of the Mayor, First Deputy Mayor, and Chancellor. The Policy Advisor will work to manage education policy initiatives, support the day-to-day operations, determine key touchpoints, and keep leadership apprised of developments and decisions needed. The work of the Policy Advisor is sensitive and complex in nature and may involve educational policy-making, legal and government mandates, budget and fiscal guidelines, and operational decision-making in divergent areas. Performs related work.
Reports to: Senior Advisor for Education
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships : Works closely with the Mayor's Office and First Deputy Mayor's team, the Chancellor's Office, the President of the School Construction Authority and team, representatives of line organizations, City agencies, and key external stakeholders.
Responsibilities - Serve as project advisor and manager for high-priority, cross-functional projects regarding educational policy development and implementation.
- Plan and execute short and long-range comprehensive strategies to achieve educational and operational goals of the administration.
- Develop relevant policy briefs that inform issues that are critical to the success of important instructional and support the educational initiatives of the Mayor and Chancellor.
- Assist in the decision-making process by working closely with representatives of the Chancellor's leadership team, Mayor's Office staff, and City agencies.
- Interface with senior leadership on cross-functional work in relation to policy development and implementation.
- Serve as liaison between the First Deputy Mayor's team and NYCPS.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to coordinate, and prepare project-related documents, including schedules, project plans, presentations, meeting agendas, minutes, status reports, etc.
- Serve as the point of contact for the School Construction Authority; work closely on all items related to space, construction, and budget.
- Follow up with representatives of line organizations on the completion of assignments referred by the First Deputy Mayor and the Senior Advisor for Education.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships and networks, gather information, opinions, attitudes, identify stakeholder needs, provide interpretation and clarification to stakeholder feedback, develop response options, and generate cooperation and buy-in to policy initiatives.
- Engage in confidential communication with the Chancellor, members of the senior leadership team, and high-level representatives of external agencies and institutions.
- Quantitatively and qualitatively analyze policy-related initiatives and make recommendations and/or presentations for senior leadership -- making sure to appropriately communicate pertinent and sensitive information.
Qualification Requirements: Minimum Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and at least five (5) years of full-time paid supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience of a nature appropriate to the duties of the position, such as budgeting, personnel, public relations, education, project management, policy analysis, urban planning, education administration or equivalent, or five (5) years of full-time paid experience as assistant to an executive in one of the fields described above, or a satisfactory equivalent.
Plus
- Experience performing analysis, writing reports and technical memos, as well as conducting briefings and presentations.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects in a timely manner in a dynamic work environment with constantly shifting priorities.
- Excellent communication, writing, research, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to problem solve.
- Thorough knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Excellent time management and multitasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, monitor a work program, and prioritize duties.
- Attention to detail and excellent organization skills, including the ability to manage complex projects, sensitive information, analytical data, and multifaceted internal and external relationships.
- Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with education and non-education personnel, internal and external to the DOE.
- Ability to troubleshoot, anticipate issues needing resolution, and creatively solve problems.
Preferred - Results-oriented self-starter with ability to conceptualize and execute plans.
- A deep understanding of education policy issues related to the City of New York and the provision of services across its five boroughs.
- Experience in mediating among groups with competing perspectives, overseeing and improving the operational efficiency of complicated organizations, and pioneering innovative solutions to intricate problems.
Salary : $145,000 - $155,000
(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding. * New York City Residency is NOT Required * We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply. 
