Chief of Staff to the Borough Commissioner

Eligibility Criteria

This position is exclusively open to current full-time, permanently employed Parks staff in the Administrative Community Relations Specialist title or equivalent roles such as Administrative Staff Analyst or Administrative Manager, including those on leave or reachable on the corresponding civil service lists.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate under the Borough Commissioner's guidance with significant autonomy to support borough administration functions.
• Act as the Commissioner’s representative in Agency and external meetings.
• Organize, schedule, and secure approvals for special borough events including groundbreaking ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, photo opportunities, and forums involving the community and elected officials.
• Lead and manage the administrative personnel supporting the Commissioner’s office, ensuring smooth daily operations.
• Oversee borough capital projects by coordinating with Capital and Planning divisions, conducting needs assessments, long-term strategic planning, and facilitating community input gatherings.
• Communicate request updates to community boards and elected officials and maintain ongoing stakeholder engagement during capital project processes.
• Support private fundraising efforts and coordinate grant-related activities.
• Serve as a liaison among the Commissioner’s office, various Parks divisions, and other government agencies at city, state, and federal levels.
• Collaborate with elected officials, community boards, civic associations, nonprofits, and other stakeholders on park-related issues while promoting Agency and borough park initiatives.
• Develop and strengthen "friends of" park groups alongside Partnerships for Parks team members.
• Manage issuance of special event and ballfield permits, oversee public art installations, and execute borough-wide events.
• Handle borough-level correspondence and respond to constituent communications.
• Ensure completion of complex projects within the borough.
• Prepare informational briefings, collect and analyze data, generate reports, and monitor project progress for the borough.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution plus four years of relevant full-time experience in community liaison, organization, or relations, two of which must include broad administrative or policy-making responsibilities involving planning, coordination, development, evaluation, or administration of large community programs; or
• High school diploma or equivalent plus eight years of relevant full-time experience with at least two years in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity as described above; or
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience as outlined, including the substitution of higher education credits for community liaison experience but not for required administrative/policy-making experience. All candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience.

Preferred Expertise

• Strong competencies in writing, administration, organization, and communication.
• A comprehensive understanding of capital project systems.
• Experience managing sensitive and confidential issues.
• Ability to anticipate and effectively react to unforeseen or challenging situations.
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and follow directives when appropriate.
• Effective leadership and delegation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of New York City government operations and the Parks Department structure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Valid driver’s license issued by New York State.

Additional Information

• The position is located at Litchfield Villa, Brooklyn.
• The role is accessible under the 55-a Program for qualified individuals with disabilities; applicants should note this on their resume and cover letter if interested.
• Applicants may qualify for federal public service loan forgiveness and state repayment programs.
• Residency within New York City or surrounding counties as stipulated by years of city service is required.
• The City emphasizes equal opportunity employment, promoting diversity and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment on any protected grounds.