HAVERHILL — A vacancy inside City Hall leaves local officials searching for a new face to shape public messages, represent the mayor and oversee day-to-day communications for up to $80,000 a year.
The city of Haverhill posted a job opening Friday seeking a new deputy chief of staff for the Mayor’s Office following the departure of former Deputy Chief of Staff Josselyn De Leon-Estrada at the start of this month.
De Leon-Estrada joined the administration in early 2024, shortly after Mayor Melinda Barrett took office. She came in with previous experience working under mayors, congressmembers and state representatives.
De-Leon Estrada could not be reached for comment.
The Mayor’s Office confirmed that she is no longer employed by the city. In the interim, Chief of Staff Christine Lindberg has taken up the deputy position’s responsibilities.
The deputy chief of staff will assist and provide administrative support for the day-to-day activities of the Mayor’s Office under the direction of Lindberg, according to the job posting.
The position is scheduled for 35 hours per week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, though the schedule may include some evenings and weekends. The salary ranges from $65,000 to $80,000 annually, with the starting salary based on experience.
Among the position’s main responsibilities is serving as the mayor’s press contact and drafting press materials, including media advisories, press releases, talking points, letters to the editors and other communications.
The deputy chief of staff will represent the mayor and the Mayor’s Office at community events and functions, meet with constituents and neighborhood groups and draft and manage social media content, including post articles, blogs, videos and photographs on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Applicants should also expect the job to include organizing speeches, ensuring consistent city branding, evaluating emails, phone calls and questions directed to the office and assisting with operations of Haverhill’s 311 program.
Haverhill is searching for a candidate with strong communication skills, public presentation, research and writing skills, along with experience drafting remarks, media advisories and press releases.
Candidates should have either a bachelor’s degree or a combination of an associate degree and more than five years of proven public administration experience. Bilingual candidates are “highly desired.”
The successful applicant must go through a background, including CORI/SORI screenings, before appointment.
The city is currently accepting applications which will be followed by an interview process to select an individual for the role. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, July 28.