New Public Engagement Department in City Hall
Looking for a job, comrade?
Mayor Zoran Mamdani has launched a new “Public Engagement” department that’s set to hire around a dozen activist-oriented individuals, with salaries adding up to nearly $2 million from taxpayer funds, according to reports.
This initiative, which will see 14 positions filled in the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, seeks to adopt the mobilization tactics favored by the American Democratic Socialists right within City Hall.
The well-paid staff members will focus on establishing a system of volunteers to promote community advocacy efforts across both citywide and ward-based campaigns through what they call “co-governance,” as indicated in job postings shared earlier this month.
Described roles include campaign director, district director, and community liaison, and they closely resemble strategies used in the campaign that brought a young Democratic Socialist into the mayor’s office.
One Democratic strategist jokingly remarked, “The Soviet Politburo called me and asked me to withdraw the recruitment announcement.”
It remains somewhat unclear how much funding City Hall is allocating to this new office, though there is mention of approximately $1.6 million earmarked for one open position, alongside over $250,000 designated for Commissioner Tasha Van Auken, who has a longstanding association with the DSA.
Van Auken, who previously served as Mamdani’s field director during his mayoral campaign, is expected to lead the office in “strategizing, coordinating, and implementing initiatives that reach ordinary New Yorkers.”
“I’m old enough to remember when the mayor’s office didn’t need co-governance with anyone,” someone quipped, reflecting on the shift in governance style.
Among the new positions is a Deputy Director-General for Cooperative Governance role, which comes with a $150,000 salary and has raised some eyebrows. This person will be responsible for developing “in-house collaborative governance training,” aiming to enhance relationships between local agencies and their communities.
The language surrounding this position echoes thoughts shared by New York City DSA Co-Chair Grace Moser, who previously advocated for DSA’s political influence in her manifesto. She stated a desire to apply their campaign strategies to the workings of City Hall.
Another unexpected role on the list is that of campaign manager, with a salary ranging from $140,000 to $150,000. Some insiders felt this mirrored traditional political campaign staff roles, with responsibilities that include developing campaign strategies and engaging with New Yorkers through various community events.
One Democratic Party operative expressed frustration, suggesting that the mayor should simply label the position as a “reelection political director using government money” to clarify its purpose.
It’s uncertain whether the newly announced roles will be limited to these 15 or if there are plans for future expansion.
This announcement coincides with Mamdani’s calls for increased taxation on the wealthy, linking it to a reported $5.4 billion budget gap faced by the city, though City Hall has not commented on the matter.
