Press Secretary Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Press secretary positions at government agencies, nonprofits, and corporations can qualify for H-1B sponsorship when the role requires specialized communications expertise and a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or public relations. Most employers prefer candidates with previous media relations experience and strong writing credentials. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout The Campaign Finance Board
The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to have a greater impact on their elections. Our mission is to make local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable by removing barriers to participation. We make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, meaningfully support candidates for city office, and run for office themselves. NYC Votes, our voter engagement initiative, meets people where they are to share trustworthy election information and help New Yorkers participate. We publish the citywide Voter Guide, which delivers information about candidates directly to voters’ doors. Our public matching funds program ensures small contributions can make a big difference, allowing regular people to run for office by relying on the support of other regular people, not just wealthy donors and special interests. And we lift the veil on how candidates raise and spend money, increasing transparency and accountability in local government. We believe that when every New Yorker is empowered to participate meaningfully in elections, candidates will better reflect the communities they serve, elected leaders will be more accountable to the public, and New Yorkers will have a democracy they can truly trust.
About The Department
The Public Affairs division engages New Yorkers, informs them about elections, and boosts their participation in the democratic process. We make election information accessible and relevant, increase engagement with underrepresented communities, and cultivate a team that reflects our core values of purpose, curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. The division includes Marketing and Digital Communications, Partnerships and Outreach, Language Access, and Public Relations. Our division’s work includes publishing the citywide Voter Guide, running the official citywide Debates Program, and managing the voter engagement initiative NYC Votes. Within Public Affairs, the Public Relations team leads messaging and strategy for internal and external communications and oversees the citywide Debates program as well as Board meetings and other events.
Job Description
The NYC Campaign Finance Board seeks a Press Secretary to serve as the CFB’s lead spokesperson and execute the agency’s media relations strategy. Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, the Press Secretary will work closely with reporters to fulfill incoming requests (including through Freedom of Information Law, or FOIL, and through the CFB’s online Follow the Money and Campaign Finance Summary tools) and shape and secure earned media coverage for the CFB, its voter engagement initiative NYC Votes, and signature programs including the matching funds program and citywide debates program. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of NYC politics and the local political media landscape, strong relationship building skills, honed political instincts and professional judgment, and experience with fast-paced, mission-driven communications. They will be comfortable appearing on-camera and in other on-the-record media interviews and adept at preparing other spokespeople for their own media appearances and public speaking responsibilities. The person in this role will play a key role in advancing the CFB’s strategic goals to make it easier for New Yorkers to participate meaningfully in their local democracy, whether by casting their vote, supporting their candidate of choice, running for office, or something in between. We’re seeking a candidate who is passionate about politics and local government and who understands the power of effective communication and storytelling to boost participation. The Press Secretary will also supervise the Assistant Press Secretary, who is responsible for managing the agency’s Community & Ethnic Media strategy and Spanish-language media relations, with an emphasis on amplifying voting and election information to harder-to-reach audiences.
The Press Secretary’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee media relations strategy and tactics including drafting messaging and talking points, compiling and sending press releases and advisories, participating in on-the-record and background interviews
- Develop strong relationships with reporters and secure coverage to ensure New Yorkers are well informed about local elections, the city matching funds program, and the spectrum of civic engagement in NYC
- Serve as primary on-record spokesperson for the agency
- Respond to all media inquiries
- Develop comprehensive knowledge of the campaign finance program and ensure media coverage of the agency is nuanced and accurate
- Prepare the Executive Director and other spokespeople for public appearances and media interviews
- Represent the Campaign Finance Board in the press, on social media, at public meetings, at conferences and convenings
- Manage the Assistant Press Secretary
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER BEHAVIORS (KSAOs)
We're seeking individuals eager to make an impact, even if they don't tick every box on our job description. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and the unique blend of lived experiences, non-traditional education pathways, practical know-how, and a variety of skills and abilities that each candidate brings to the table. If you're ready to learn and grow with us, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dynamic team.
Knowledge
- Knowledge refers to the body of factual or procedural information that can be applied like knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and city campaign finance laws and compliance.
- Knowledge of best practices for media relations in politics and government
- Knowledge of professional strategic communications
- Knowledge of New York City government
- Knowledge of politics at the national, state, and local level
- Knowledge of campaign finance and voting rights
- Knowledge of NYC’s boroughs, neighborhoods and communities
- Knowledge of principles of nonpartisanship
Skills
- Skills are the capabilities required to perform tasks accurately and efficiently like effective communication skills to interact with internal partners, external partners, and the public.
- Skill of writing clearly and concisely, journalistically and/or in an organization’s voice
- Skill of public speaking, speaking in soundbites, and giving interviews
- Skill of translating complex topics into plain language
- Skill of staff supervision, delivering feedback and managing staff performance
- Skill of creating written materials targeted at specific audiences
- Skill of time management, project management and delegation
Abilities
- Ability is the capacity one needs to perform a job like the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team on agency projects.
- Ability to learn and understand complex political, legal, administrative, and technical systems
- Ability to teach others to navigate government processes, explain complex programs, and use online tools
- Ability to think creatively about media relations and storytelling
- Ability to think strategically, both internally and externally
- Ability to plan and execute a media relations campaign
- Ability to communicate key messages to a range of diverse audiences
- Ability to build positive, productive relationships with colleagues and journalists
- Ability to collaborate effectively and mobilize staff across functions at all levels within the agency
- Ability to mentor staff and manage up
Other
- Other characteristics are traits that do not fit into the other categories, including values, work style, and personality like accountability and being able to adapt to change and easily consider new approaches.
- High level of emotional intelligence
- Capacity to respond well to unexpected events and rapid-response moments
- Demonstrates a creative approach to achieving goals and problem-solving
- Demonstrates empathy for people across lines of difference
- Demonstrates accountability in achieving results
- Works well with different skill sets and styles
- Works independently and creatively to advance goals and mission
- Demonstrates curiosity in their work
Preferred Qualifications
- 4-6 years’ experience working in politics, advocacy, or government workplaces with core communications responsibilities
- Demonstrated relationships with NYC reporters, particularly reporters on the City Hall or politics beats
- Experience managing direct reports
Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by at least twelve-semester credits (or the equivalent of twelve-semester credits) in accounting, auditing, business or public administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related area of study and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in accounting, auditing (including compliance or investigative auditing), business or public administration, business analysis, computer science, database administration, economics, finance, fiscal or economic management or research, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related field; or
- A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of experience as described in “1” above; or
- Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
Compensation
- Salary: $80,001.00 – $100,000.00
About The Campaign Finance Board
The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to have a greater impact on their elections. Our mission is to make local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable by removing barriers to participation. We make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, meaningfully support candidates for city office, and run for office themselves. NYC Votes, our voter engagement initiative, meets people where they are to share trustworthy election information and help New Yorkers participate. We publish the citywide Voter Guide, which delivers information about candidates directly to voters’ doors. Our public matching funds program ensures small contributions can make a big difference, allowing regular people to run for office by relying on the support of other regular people, not just wealthy donors and special interests. And we lift the veil on how candidates raise and spend money, increasing transparency and accountability in local government. We believe that when every New Yorker is empowered to participate meaningfully in elections, candidates will better reflect the communities they serve, elected leaders will be more accountable to the public, and New Yorkers will have a democracy they can truly trust.
About The Department
The Public Affairs division engages New Yorkers, informs them about elections, and boosts their participation in the democratic process. We make election information accessible and relevant, increase engagement with underrepresented communities, and cultivate a team that reflects our core values of purpose, curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. The division includes Marketing and Digital Communications, Partnerships and Outreach, Language Access, and Public Relations. Our division’s work includes publishing the citywide Voter Guide, running the official citywide Debates Program, and managing the voter engagement initiative NYC Votes. Within Public Affairs, the Public Relations team leads messaging and strategy for internal and external communications and oversees the citywide Debates program as well as Board meetings and other events.
Job Description
The NYC Campaign Finance Board seeks a Press Secretary to serve as the CFB’s lead spokesperson and execute the agency’s media relations strategy. Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, the Press Secretary will work closely with reporters to fulfill incoming requests (including through Freedom of Information Law, or FOIL, and through the CFB’s online Follow the Money and Campaign Finance Summary tools) and shape and secure earned media coverage for the CFB, its voter engagement initiative NYC Votes, and signature programs including the matching funds program and citywide debates program. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of NYC politics and the local political media landscape, strong relationship building skills, honed political instincts and professional judgment, and experience with fast-paced, mission-driven communications. They will be comfortable appearing on-camera and in other on-the-record media interviews and adept at preparing other spokespeople for their own media appearances and public speaking responsibilities. The person in this role will play a key role in advancing the CFB’s strategic goals to make it easier for New Yorkers to participate meaningfully in their local democracy, whether by casting their vote, supporting their candidate of choice, running for office, or something in between. We’re seeking a candidate who is passionate about politics and local government and who understands the power of effective communication and storytelling to boost participation. The Press Secretary will also supervise the Assistant Press Secretary, who is responsible for managing the agency’s Community & Ethnic Media strategy and Spanish-language media relations, with an emphasis on amplifying voting and election information to harder-to-reach audiences.
The Press Secretary’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Oversee media relations strategy and tactics including drafting messaging and talking points, compiling and sending press releases and advisories, participating in on-the-record and background interviews
- Develop strong relationships with reporters and secure coverage to ensure New Yorkers are well informed about local elections, the city matching funds program, and the spectrum of civic engagement in NYC
- Serve as primary on-record spokesperson for the agency
- Respond to all media inquiries
- Develop comprehensive knowledge of the campaign finance program and ensure media coverage of the agency is nuanced and accurate
- Prepare the Executive Director and other spokespeople for public appearances and media interviews
- Represent the Campaign Finance Board in the press, on social media, at public meetings, at conferences and convenings
- Manage the Assistant Press Secretary
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER BEHAVIORS (KSAOs)
We're seeking individuals eager to make an impact, even if they don't tick every box on our job description. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and the unique blend of lived experiences, non-traditional education pathways, practical know-how, and a variety of skills and abilities that each candidate brings to the table. If you're ready to learn and grow with us, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dynamic team.
Knowledge
- Knowledge refers to the body of factual or procedural information that can be applied like knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and city campaign finance laws and compliance.
- Knowledge of best practices for media relations in politics and government
- Knowledge of professional strategic communications
- Knowledge of New York City government
- Knowledge of politics at the national, state, and local level
- Knowledge of campaign finance and voting rights
- Knowledge of NYC’s boroughs, neighborhoods and communities
- Knowledge of principles of nonpartisanship
Skills
- Skills are the capabilities required to perform tasks accurately and efficiently like effective communication skills to interact with internal partners, external partners, and the public.
- Skill of writing clearly and concisely, journalistically and/or in an organization’s voice
- Skill of public speaking, speaking in soundbites, and giving interviews
- Skill of translating complex topics into plain language
- Skill of staff supervision, delivering feedback and managing staff performance
- Skill of creating written materials targeted at specific audiences
- Skill of time management, project management and delegation
Abilities
- Ability is the capacity one needs to perform a job like the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team on agency projects.
- Ability to learn and understand complex political, legal, administrative, and technical systems
- Ability to teach others to navigate government processes, explain complex programs, and use online tools
- Ability to think creatively about media relations and storytelling
- Ability to think strategically, both internally and externally
- Ability to plan and execute a media relations campaign
- Ability to communicate key messages to a range of diverse audiences
- Ability to build positive, productive relationships with colleagues and journalists
- Ability to collaborate effectively and mobilize staff across functions at all levels within the agency
- Ability to mentor staff and manage up
Other
- Other characteristics are traits that do not fit into the other categories, including values, work style, and personality like accountability and being able to adapt to change and easily consider new approaches.
- High level of emotional intelligence
- Capacity to respond well to unexpected events and rapid-response moments
- Demonstrates a creative approach to achieving goals and problem-solving
- Demonstrates empathy for people across lines of difference
- Demonstrates accountability in achieving results
- Works well with different skill sets and styles
- Works independently and creatively to advance goals and mission
- Demonstrates curiosity in their work
Preferred Qualifications
- 4-6 years’ experience working in politics, advocacy, or government workplaces with core communications responsibilities
- Demonstrated relationships with NYC reporters, particularly reporters on the City Hall or politics beats
- Experience managing direct reports
Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by at least twelve-semester credits (or the equivalent of twelve-semester credits) in accounting, auditing, business or public administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related area of study and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in accounting, auditing (including compliance or investigative auditing), business or public administration, business analysis, computer science, database administration, economics, finance, fiscal or economic management or research, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related field; or
- A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of experience as described in “1” above; or
- Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
Compensation
- Salary: $80,001.00 – $100,000.00
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Press Secretary
Target agencies and advocacy organizations
Government agencies, trade associations, and advocacy groups frequently sponsor communications professionals. These employers often have established visa sponsorship processes and understand the specialized nature of press secretary work.
Emphasize your degree relevance
Ensure your communications, journalism, or public relations degree directly connects to press secretary duties. Document coursework in media law, crisis communications, and public affairs to strengthen your specialty occupation case.
Highlight crisis management experience
Experience managing media during crises or controversies demonstrates specialized skills that justify H-1B sponsorship. Document specific instances where you controlled messaging during challenging situations or breaking news events.
Build relationships with political communications firms
Political consulting firms and public affairs agencies regularly hire press secretaries and often sponsor visas. These employers understand the specialized nature of political communications and media strategy work.
Document your media network
Established relationships with journalists and media outlets represent specialized knowledge valuable to employers. Maintain a portfolio of media contacts and coverage you've generated to demonstrate your professional network value.
Consider corporate communications roles
Large corporations often have press secretary-equivalent positions in their communications departments. These roles may have different titles but involve similar media relations work and often qualify for sponsorship.
Press Secretary jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do press secretary positions qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, press secretary roles can qualify for H-1B sponsorship when they require specialized communications expertise and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field like journalism, communications, or public relations. The position must involve complex media strategy, crisis communications, or public affairs work that goes beyond basic administrative tasks. USCIS typically approves these petitions when the job duties demonstrate specialized knowledge requirements.
What degree do I need for press secretary visa sponsorship?
A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, or English is typically required for H-1B sponsorship as a press secretary. The degree must directly relate to the specialized communications work involved in the role. Some employers may accept related fields like marketing or media studies if combined with relevant professional experience in media relations or political communications.
Which employers sponsor visas for press secretary roles?
Government agencies, political organizations, trade associations, advocacy groups, and large corporations frequently sponsor H-1B visas for press secretary positions. Nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and public affairs firms also commonly sponsor these roles. Private sector companies with significant public visibility or regulatory challenges often need sponsored communications professionals for media relations work.
How competitive is H-1B approval for press secretary positions?
H-1B approval rates for communications professionals, including press secretaries, are generally favorable when the petition clearly demonstrates specialized knowledge requirements. The key is showing that the role requires complex media strategy, crisis communications expertise, or specialized knowledge of regulatory communications rather than basic administrative support. Well-documented job duties and degree relevance typically result in approval.
Can I get sponsored as a press secretary without political experience?
Yes, you can get H-1B sponsorship for press secretary roles without political experience if you have relevant communications, media relations, or public relations background. Corporate press secretary positions, nonprofit communications roles, and trade association jobs often value business communications experience over political work. Focus on demonstrating specialized knowledge in crisis communications, media strategy, or industry-specific public affairs work.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Press Secretary jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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