Assistant Commissioner for Government and Community Relations

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.

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.

DOT is an equal opportunity employer.

Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

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.

Email Address

HR-Personnel@dot.ny.gov

Address

NYS Department of Transportation
Personnel Bureau
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232

Notes on Applying

Qualified 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