Communications Writer

City of New York Open · verified Sep 10, 2026

On-site New York Full-time Mid-level Communications

Mid-level Communications role at City of New York. New York · full-time · no salary stated · we estimate $80,050–$135,000.

Estimated pay

City of New York has not published a salary for this role. The figure below is our estimate, not theirs.

$80,050 – $135,000

What the middle half of mid-level communications roles in New York paid, among postings that did state a salary.

Worked out from 45 postings that stated pay, median $99,350. Last updated Sep 4, 2026.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Create speeches, testimony, briefings, statements, and internal messages for agency leaders
Prepare communications for press events, hearings, town halls, and other priority engagements
Turn complex housing, budget, legislative, and operational topics into accessible copy
Coordinate with agency teams to verify facts and keep messaging accurate and aligned
Research announcements, develop press materials, and support urgent writing projects

What you bring

At least three years in communications, journalism, public affairs, government, advocacy, or another writing-focused role
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, research, and detail-management skills
Experience producing materials for public officials, executives, campaigns, or public institutions
You can manage competing assignments, revisions, approvals, and tight deadlines
Sound judgment with sensitive information and the ability to explain complex subjects to varied audiences

Who this fits

You’ll fit a collaborative public-service communications team working across leadership, program staff, and agency partners. The role is based onsite in New York and may require work outside normal business hours for urgent agency needs. Familiarity with New York City government, housing, local media, or the city’s political environment is relevant, as is an interest in public service or affordable housing.

From the employer

About the Agency:

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) oversees housing standards across all 3.7 million homes in New York City. As the nation’s largest municipal housing agency, HPD is responsible for building and preserving affordable housing, protecting tenants from harassment and displacement, and holding landlords accountable across the five boroughs. Under Commissioner Dina Levy and the Mamdani Administration, HPD is pursuing an ambitious housing agenda focused on the needs of New York’s tenants. With a broad set of tools including standards enforcement, tenant resources, and the creation of new affordable housing, HPD is committed to making New York City a more affordable place for renters and homeowners alike.

Your Team

The Division of Communications oversees all public relations for the agency and is responsible for crafting a proactive strategy to promote agency initiatives, programs, and accomplishments to the media, our partners, our staff, and the public. The division manages interactions with the press, social media channels, the agency’s website, internal communications, and digital and print materials.

Your Role

The Communications Writer will support HPD’s Communications team by drafting, editing, and preparing written content for internal and external audiences. Reporting to the Press Secretary, the Communications Writer will prepare remarks, talking points, testimony, briefing documents, internal staff communications, public statements, and other materials that help explain HPD’s work clearly and persuasively.

This role requires a strong writer who can translate complex housing policy, program, budget, operational, and legislative issues into clear, accurate, and compelling language. The Communications Writer will work closely with the Press Secretary, Deputy Press Secretaries, program teams, senior staff, and other agency partners to ensure communications are timely, accurate, well-organized, and aligned with agency priorities.

Your Responsibilities

- Draft and edit remarks, speeches, talking points, testimony, briefing documents, statements, quotes, internal messages, and other written content for agency leadership and the Communications team.
- Support planning and coordination for internal communications, including all-staff messages, leadership updates, town hall materials, newsletters, and employee announcements.
- Support communications preparation for public events, press conferences, legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, internal briefings, and other high-priority agency engagements.
- Translate complex policy, program, budget, operational, and legislative information into clear and accessible language for internal and external audiences.
- Work with program, budget, government affairs, communications, and other agency teams to gather information, verify facts, and ensure written content is accurate and complete.
- Collaborate with external partners, other agencies, and internal teams to align messaging and develop joint communications, including press releases, quotes, talking points, and announcement content.
- Support proactive press work by conducting background research, drafting press materials, and identifying story opportunities related to agency announcements and initiatives.
- Ensure written content is clear, accurate, consistent, and aligned with agency voice, tone, and priorities.
- Help maintain version control, approval tracking, and internal systems for talking points, testimony, briefing documents, and other communications products.
- Support the Press Secretary and Deputy Press Secretaries with time-sensitive writing assignments and special projects, as assigned.

Preferred Skills & Experience

- 3+ years of experience in communications, speechwriting, journalism, public affairs, government or political communications, advocacy, or another writing-forward role.
- Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills, with strong attention to accuracy, tone, and detail.
- Experience drafting written materials for public officials, senior executives, campaigns, or public-facing institutions.
- Ability to write clearly and quickly under deadline pressure while managing multiple assignments, edits, and approvals.
- Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or time-sensitive information.
- Ability to synthesize complex policy, program, operational, legislative, or budget information for different audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively with communications staff, senior leadership, program teams, and subject-matter experts.
- Familiarity with New York City government, public-sector communications, housing policy, local media, or the city’s political landscape.
- Ability to work outside business hours when needed to support time-sensitive agency needs.
- Demonstrated interest in city government, public service, or affordable housing.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

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.