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What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – April 10, 2025

Gabby Langston

Hello Friends,

Every day, we walk through history. Never before have we seen an American government destroy liberties and an economy so quickly. Years from now, we will all be asked where we were and what we did.

There’s an uneasiness in our City right now—the kind that pulses between urgent public need and systemic inertia. However, we did receive promising news this week: congestion pricing will remain in place through October. This development is a reminder that change doesn’t move on outrage alone. Change needs builders. It needs people willing to show up inside the system and move it forward from within.

That was one of the clearest takeaways from our closing mainstage panel at NYC School of Data— In Code We Trust, which brought together professionals working in the government and public interest technology sectors. Even with our ever-evolving landscape, the message is the same: if we want digital systems that reflect our city, “what we build is just as important as how we build it.” Values matter; policy is implemented through design, people, and technology. This is where YOU come in.

Many of us came to this space because we believe technology and data can serve the public good. But belief is just the beginning. Now, we need you to shape the future of government. If you’ve been thinking about working in government, the opportunity is real—but it’s not always straightforward.

Government work requires more than just enthusiasm. Roles can be highly competitive, and hiring processes are not always intuitive. With civil service exams, job titles that don’t quite match the work, and opaque application portals—these are real barriers, but they are navigable ones. Getting into public service takes intention and persistence, but it is possible, and the impact is immense.

Think of it this way: working in government is not just a job search, it’s a long-term investment in your city or state. And while the path isn’t always linear, it’s full of opportunity. Agencies and service design teams across the five boroughs and public institutions are actively looking for people like you—passionate people who care, understand complexity, and want to build better systems with empathy and equity in mind.

If you’re ready to take that step, start by exploring the NYC Jobs portal or the New York State Civil Service site. Additionally, you can explore volunteer roles through US Digital Response or tune into the professional association, Technologists for the Public Good.

It’s easy to be reactionary in times like these—it is easy to point out what’s broken, protest the failures, and wait for someone else to fix things. But what we need is momentum: people stepping into public roles with care, strategy, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Additionally, we need people working on campaigns and networking with candidates and their staff. We need proselytization in every sense of the word.

Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Get in there if you’re passionate about food security, data equity, housing, mobility, climate, or justice. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and show up. Stay curious. The narrative we need right now is one of action, not just reaction. The door is open— let’s walk through it together.

As James Baldwin said, “I can’t be a pessimist because I am alive.”

— Noel Hidalgo and Gabrielle Langston

Community Resources 📚

More community news:

This Week in NYC Civic Tech 🗽

This Week in Gov Watch 🏛️

Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼

Upcoming Events 📅

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