Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyTransportation, Department of

TitleAssistant Commissioner for Government and Community Relations

Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $185000 to $200000 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 25%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address NYS Department of Transportation - Government and Community Relations

50 Wolf Road

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12232

Job Specifics

Duties Description This executive-level position is responsible for leading a team of people responsible for overseeing NYSDOT’s legislative policy development; federal, state, and local government relations, and stakeholder and community outreach and engagement efforts. The Assistant Commissioner will also lead government relations related special projects and initiatives in support of the NYS Commissioner of Transportation.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead a team of professionals responsible for serving as the Department’s primary liaisons with Members of Congress, New York State and local elected officials, federal agencies, and all transportation related stakeholder groups to include national industry and trade associations, organized labor, issue and advocacy organizations, multistate policy organizations and the public.
• Lead and coordinate state and local government legislative policy development focused on New York State Executive Budget and NYS Senate and Assembly Legislative proposals.
• Oversee community relations strategies for major transportation projects across the state, fostering engagement with county and local governments and all stakeholders to include, but not limited to organized labor, community organizations, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
• Monitor and support the development and implementation of federal and state appropriations and authorization for transportation infrastructure, ensuring coordinated federal and state transportation funding and authorization efforts.
• Serve as NYSDOT lead on Federal Surface Transportation Authorization and Appropriations, in coordination with NYSDOT executive leadership.
• Engage with elected officials on behalf of NYSDOT transportation planning and program execution, statewide.
• Manage state legislative affairs for NYSDOT, including coordination, development and support of Governor’s State of the State initiatives and legislative proposals in partnership with NYSDOT’s executive leadership.
• Actively track, analyze and respond to all new, pending and proposed legislation and rulemaking changes at the state and federal level to include monitoring national and state policy trends.
• Provide strategic leadership in transportation legislation and policy development across all modes — including aviation, public transit, freight and passenger rail, ports, and active transportation — ensuring alignment with state priorities and NYSDOT strategic objectives.
• Manage, coordinate and lead a team of employees implementing the Department’s Government and Community Relations goals and objectives.
• Support NEPA and SEQRA implementation and enhanced stakeholder engagement for major transportation infrastructure projects.
• Write and review written communications responses on behalf of the agency for purposes of federal, state and local elected engagement.


Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department's response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of relevant experience. Substitutions allowed: four years of specialized experience or an associate degree plus two years of specialized experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree. A J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience; a Ph.D. may substitute for two years.

Additional Comments Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules





DOT is an equal opportunity employer.

Disabled persons are encouraged to apply. In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

How to Apply

Name Heather Childs

Telephone

Fax

Email Address HR-Personnel@dot.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Department of Transportation

Personnel Bureau

City 50 Wolf Road

State NY

Zip Code 12232

 

Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of required transcripts (if applicable), titled by last name, with the Notice Number MO-26-231 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest no later than June 26, 2026 to:

NYS Department of Transportation
ATTN: Heather Childs
Personnel Bureau
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232
Dot.sm.mo.hr.personnel@dot.ny.gov