Service Design Fellow

The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity) helps the City apply evidence and innovation to reduce poverty and increase equity. Using the tools of data, design, and research, we partner with agencies to improve the systems of government and make the City’s social service programs more effective, efficient, and responsive. NYC Opportunity supports policy development and budget decisions and works to center equity as a core governing principle across government. We also produce research and analysis of poverty and social conditions, including through our influential annual NYCgov Poverty Measure, which we developed to provide a more accurate picture of poverty in New York City than the federal rate.

The Service Design Studio (“the Studio”) helps spread valuable service design and community-centered design methodologies often underused in government. The Studio builds the City's design capacity with consultation, technical assistance, and skills-building opportunities. We collaborate with City agency partners to enhance existing services or design new ones that are effective, accessible, and dignified. Our approach begins with understanding the needs of people who use, deliver, and administer public services. We seek feedback from different perspectives and test prototypes of service enhancements before implementing them at scale.

The Service Design Studio is seeking emerging community-conscious leaders interested in service design, public administration, social services, and/or community organizing. We are looking for applicants for a 9-month fellowship, starting in October 2025 through June 2026. The Service Design Studio sits within the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. We help further the City’s use of community-centered design and research methods. We partner with City agencies to engage with residents and those who deliver services so that their voices and insights can shape new and existing services. We are looking for a wide range of design skills. Fellows will support the Studio in a variety of ways, such as co-facilitating design research activities and participatory workshops, supporting in the development of visual design materials (such as decks, flyers, infographics, etc.), and producing communications assets (such as blog posts, case studies, and other forms of media).


  Responsibilities

Based on your skills and interests, responsibilities will include:

  • Help prepare for and co-facilitate research and design activities, such as events, workshops, interviews, and focus groups.
  • Conduct landscape research and create summaries of insights learned on relevant topics and methods to expand our design practice.
  • Assist with the creation of design materials, including one-pagers, flyers, social media posts, journey maps, user flows, and other creative assets.
  • Co-lead strategic communications and storytelling around the Service Design Studio and our projects. (i.e., content writing for the Studio’s external-facing materials like our blog and newsletter.)
  • Assist with product maintenance, such as updating our Medium blog and other digital tools like Airtable and WordPress.
  • Bring your lived experience to collaborative meetings to offer innovative ideas and diversity of perspectives.
  • Other work, as determined within the scope of this role by the Design Director.

  Skills We're Seeking

We understand that candidates may not have all of the skills we are seeking below. We encourage those interested to apply even if they do not meet all of them. We are looking for talented individuals to join our team.

Commitment to centering communities and advocating for low-income individuals and communities of color.

Experience working closely with communities who are engaging with public services and programs, and/or has lived experience engaging with public services and programs themselves.

Interest in one or more of the following disciplines: community organizing, human-centered design, public administration, public policy research, social service.

Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.

Ability to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and work independently.

Experience and openness to improving public speaking skills, including but not limited to facilitating presentations, workshops, and leading groups.

Demonstrates basic graphic design skills with experience in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and/or Google Suite.

Ability to develop new design concepts, graphics, and layouts within an existing brand.

Strong written communication skills and an interest in creative writing.

  Hours and Location

Fellowships are temporary, full-time paid positions for 35-40 hours per week between October 2025 - June 2026. This position will require in-person work from our office in Downtown Brooklyn. City policy currently allows for remote work up to two days per week.

  Benefits and Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $27.50/hr. We do not offer health benefits for this role.

Note that all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to provide sponsorship to fellows.

  How to Apply

  • To apply for this Fellowship, please upload a cover letter and resume to the application form. Select the ‘Fellowship’ option under positions.
  • We ask that applicants submit a portfolio with samples of their work. Please share pieces that reflect your design and writing skills, or any other skills listed in this job description.
  • Applicants who are selected for the second round of interviews will be asked to submit a brief design exercise.
  • Applications will be accepted through the end of July.

    • Due to the volume of applications received we may not be able to respond to every application.