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Media Liaison

Job ID: 12388

Business Unit: MTA Headquarters

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Press Office

Date Posted: Jul 21, 2025

Description

POSTING NO.

12388

JOB TITLE:

Media Liaison

DEPT/DIV:

Communications\Press Office

WORK LOCATION:

2 Broadway

FULL/PART-TIME

FUL L

SALARY RANGE:

$99,587 - $103,000

DEADLINE:

8/5/2025

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Assists the Deputy Communications Directors in conducting media relations, informing the press and the public about MTA operations, maintaining a positive public image that supports public transportation and the specific goals of the MTA and its agencies.

The incumbent will perform a variety of functions, including, but not limited to, answering media inquiries, writing press materials, creating media strategies, interfacing with MTA agencies and departments in order to collect information, generating uniform responses to inquiries, and developing content for MTA digital platforms.

Responsibilities:

+ Interfaces on a regular basis with Deputy Communications Directors and senior staff to assist in the formulation of media strategy.

+ Acts as spokesperson for the MTA and its operating agencies, on a variety of issues affecting the Authority and the constituencies it serves. This would require the incumbent to periodically be on call 24 hours a day and respond to breaking news incidents as an on-site spokesperson.

+ Writes and edits news releases; organizes media events and press conferences

+ Develops written and visual content for MTA news social media presence.

+ Interfaces on a variety of levels with the print and broadcast media, podcast producers, bloggers, and others on a day-to-day basis, responding in writing and on-camera to inquiries, and generating information pertaining to the MTA and the operating agencies.

+ May act in place of Deputy Communications Directors in their absence.

+ Assembles and distributes packages of news reports on an as-needed basis.

+ Writes talking points for agency heads.

+ Performs general research, including daily summaries of incoming news media inquiries.

+ Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

+ Must be extremely disciplined with demonstrated ability to show excellent discretion in speaking on and off the record with the many media organizations that cover the operations of the MTA.

+ Must be able to gather and evaluate complicated information from various people in the MTA family of agencies and synthesize it into a coherent message.

+ Demonstrated ability to navigate a complex, high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.

+ Must have excellent writing, communication, and social media content creation skills to effectively present accurate information and clear statements of MTA positions on various issues to the general public, verbally and/or in writing, across all platforms.

+ Must have the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and develop the trust of the professional and technical staff of the transit operating agencies to ensure the timely and complete sharing of information about operational activities and policy issues that affect the agencies and the Authority.

+ Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.

Required Education and Experience:

+ Bachelor’s degree in a field related to media studies or public policy from an accredited college or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

+ A minimum of three years of professional journalism/news experience at a newspaper, magazine, radio or TV station, social media, or as public affairs representative, spokesperson at a government agency and/or private sector entity, or equivalent relevant work experience.

+ A background in journalism, media studies, political science, communications, writing, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

P referred:

+ For better communicating with New York-area communities and with international news media, functional knowledge of a language in addition to English is a plus.

+ Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.

+ Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites .

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.