DDC Participates in City Talk Panel in Honor of Career Exploration Month

On February 24, 2021, in honor of Career Exploration and Black History Month, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Public Buildings Deputy Program Director Jade Bailey participated in a City Talk panel discussion hosted by the DCAS Office of Citywide Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with the DOE Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE). The program was for CTE students interested in learning about technical careers in City Government, and learning about the many different pathways to city employment. The presenters all noted the importance of taking civil service exams. The presentation was also a celebration of Black History Month giving students an opportunity to learn about the legacy of David Dinkins, NYC’s first African-American Mayor.

Deputy Program Director Jade Bailey spoke to students about the day-to-day aspects of civil engineering and her experiences working for DDC in the Public Buildings Division. She joined DDC as a project manager after working in the private sector. Ms. Bailey was joined by representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Information Technology & Telecommunication (DITT), Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Landmark and Preservation Commission (LPC).

Ms. Bailey described what it takes to manage an array of different projects in the Cultural Division of Public Buildings where she works on cultural institutions. Jade received her degree in Civil Engineering from Temple University in Philadelphia. She decided to pursue a career in STEM because she was good at math and science and was always curious about how environments got built and how the larger world was constructed. DDC’s Public Buildings Division manages the design and construction of a large range of civic buildings. Some of these projects include facilities for public safety, libraries, cultural institutions, and health and human services.

Ms. Bailey stated, “I enjoy my job because I get to make a difference every single day by contributing to the built environment of New York City. Providing essential services is really rewarding. I came to this panel from a ribbon cutting ceremony for a COVID Center of Excellence in Elmhurst, Queens which was an epicenter of the pandemic. To be able to provide a clinic where it doesn’t matter what your immigration status or financial background is, is tremendously rewarding. This clinic provides an opportunity for New Yorkers to receive health care and much needed services. It gives me tremendous satisfaction to know I’ve been able to help provide that for my city.”

Fun fact: Prior to her engineering career Ms. Bailey danced professionally. In her free time, she teaches dance to young people. Ms. Bailey has been a DDC STEAM Initiatives High School Summer Internship mentor and presenter and a presenter at STEAM Initiatives Introduce a Girl to Architecture, Construction and Engineering Workshops.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $14 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc