Inter-Bureau Liaison, Water & Sewer Operations Communications

Company Description

Job Description

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

The Bureau of Public Affairs & Communications (BPAC) manages all information given to the public (both digital and print), community outreach efforts, environmental education initiatives, planning, special projects and events, government relations, and legislative affairs. The bureau is responsible for producing and reviewing public-facing materials and information including press releases and responses to media inquiries, social media posts, graphic design, reports, marketing campaigns, Weekly Pipeline newsletter, and photo and video needs for all bureaus.

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a skilled and highly collaborative professional to serve as a liaison between the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO) and the Bureau of Public Affairs & Communications (BPAC). This role ensures that complex technical information related to sewer, drainage, and water conveyance systems is translated into clear, accurate, and accessible messaging for the public, stakeholders, elected officials, and interagency partners. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable discussing engineering concepts with technical staff and crafting audience-appropriate content for public communications, community meetings, and outreach campaigns.

Key Responsibilities
- Function as the primary conduit between BWSO and BPAC, facilitating timely information flow and working closely with BWSO engineers, planners, and field operations to understand project goals, operational impacts, and schedules.
- Manage requests for technical clarification, project updates, and operational status reports from BPAC and other stakeholders.
- Interpret and synthesize complex sewer engineering, operations, and capital project information into clear, jargon-free language for briefing materials and public-facing presentations to community boards, elected officials, residents, and advocacy groups.
- Collaborate to prepare visually engaging presentations, diagrams, and communication materials explaining system operations, infrastructure improvements, emergency responses, and program initiatives.
- Collaborate with both bureaus to plan outreach strategies for major drainage projects.
- Assist with drafting and editing public notices, web content, press materials, fact sheets, and social media content related to water and sewer operations.

Preferred Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Political Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Exceptional writing skills with demonstrated ability to translate technical or scientific concepts into accessible language.
- Experience developing public presentations and narrative communication materials for diverse audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical staff.
- Experience working in environmental agencies, public utilities, municipal government, or engineering environments.
- Familiarity with sewer, drainage, or water infrastructure systems.
- Experience with community engagement, crisis communications, or public affairs.

EXECUTIVE PROGRAM SPECIALIST ( - 06804

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and 4 years of satisfactory experience of a nature to qualify for the duties and responsibilities of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, consultative or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties of the position; or

2. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive, consultative or supervisory experience described in "1" above.

Additional Information

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, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.