Special Assistant (Chief of Staff) - VID 217258

Duties Description

About the Role

Reporting directly to Commissioner, and in partnership with the Executive Deputy Commissioner, the Chief of Staff helps coordinate Commissioner priorities and align organizational resources. They will serve as a bridge and convener in the agency, with a focus on high priority efforts, helping to clear roadblocks that may impede executive initiatives. The role requires a highly organized, proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must be simultaneously strategic and detail-oriented, be able to swiftly assess inbound issues and delegate them quickly and effectively, and capable of fostering collaboration across teams while supporting both internal staff and external partners.

The Chief of Staff is a concert master and coordinator, ensuring there are clear initiative leads, assigned actions and follow-through, and defined outcome measures for the Commissioner’s priorities. They will handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities often simultaneously, balancing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands. Most importantly, the Chief of Staff must focus on maximizing the effectiveness of the Commissioner’s time and focus, balancing external and internal demands. Accordingly, they must have the ability to process information, assess risk, identify and align the right resources within the agency to resolve issues, and guide them to a definite course of action.

The ideal candidate has experience in executive-level support, project management, and organizational operations, and be able to confidently map out and navigate strategies to engage key stakeholders. This candidate will thrive in rapid response, act with urgency, and can operate under pressure in high-visibility environments. Critically, this role requires strong emotional intelligence, situational and self-awareness, diplomacy, and empathy. The Chief of Staff must have a growth mindset with a track record of generating creative solutions, driving continuous improvement, and championing change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level support and serve as the central coordination point across the Commissioner’s Cabinet, Executive Leadership Team, and Senior Staff meetings. Ensure preparation, planning, execution and follow up for leadership meetings are carried out effectively; provide support to Cabinet as requested.
• Lead executive briefing preparation and coordination, translating operational, legislative, and fiscal matters into clear, defensible executive narratives and ensuring alignment, accountability, and strategic discipline across OGS.
• Serve as the agency’s primary point of contact with the Executive Chamber, facilitating clear communication, aligning agency’s actions with statewide priorities, and ensuring timely responsiveness to requests.
• Manage day-to-day executive support for the Office of the Commissioner, including event advance, scheduling, staffing logistics and assignments, calendar management, and project management.
• Prepare and coordinate reports, presentations, and briefings on relevant issues, projects, and activities for the Commissioner, and as needed identify issues, develop contingencies, and suggest remedies.
• Quickly analyze issues and risks, delegate or spearhead policy or issue analysis across the organization and with outside stakeholders. Sound judgment to identify political, operational, and reputational risks in advance and escalate appropriately.
• Attend public events and executive meetings to provide real-time support.
• Represent the Commissioner and her priorities in internal and external settings.
  
  

The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) provides essential support services for New York State government operations, including Executive Agencies, State Legislature, Judiciary, eligible nonprofits, school districts, and public authorities. Learn more about our agency at https://ogs.ny.gov/about-us and read our strategic plan at https://ogs.ny.gov/strategic-plan.

Minimum Qualifications

Eleven (11) years of experience supporting senior public sector executives, with a preference for candidates who have experience in operations and policy implementation.

Substitutions: Candidates will be awarded with equitable experience, noted below, for possessing a graduate or advanced degree as follows: Associate – 2 years’ experience; Bachelor – 4 years’ experience; Master – 5 years’ experience; Juris Doctorate (J.D.) – 6 years’ experience; and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – 7 years’ experience.

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work with urgency, coordinate across departments, and support executive decision-making.
• Effective communication and responsiveness with advanced written and oral communication skills.
• High political acumen and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Strong coordination skills across complex, multi-unit organizations.
• Capacity to synthesize large volumes of operational and policy information into concise executive guidance.
  
  

NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Additional Comments

The Office of General Services (OGS) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply.

For a full version of OGS’s EEO/AA statement and benefits joining Team #OneOGS, please visit http://www.ogs.ny.gov/employment.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.