An independently elected public official, the Public Advocate represents the consumers of City services. He reviews and investigates complaints about City services, assesses whether agencies are responsive to the public, and recommends improvements in agency programs and complaint handling procedures; He serves as ombudsman, or go-between, for individuals who are having trouble getting the service, help or answers they need from City agencies; He monitors the effectiveness of the City's public information and education efforts.
The Public Advocate has the right to participate in the discussions of the City Council, is an ex officio member of all Council committees and can sponsor local legislation.
The Public Advocate also monitors compliance of City officers and agencies with the New York City Charter.
The Public Advocate sits on the Board of Trustees of the New York City Employees' Retirement System. He appoints one member of the City Planning Commission, whose members serve five-year terms, and He serves on the committee to select the director of the Independent Budget Office.
The Public Advocate chairs the Commission on Public Information and Communication and appoints one of its 11 members, and he is one of seven members serving on the Audit Committee for the City of New York. He is an ex officio member of the board of the Museum of the City of New York and the Queens Borough Public Library, and of the Voter Assistance Commission, which is responsible for increasing participation in the City's democratic process. The Public Advocate also appoints two members of the Citywide Council on Special Education and two members of the newly-created Citywide Council on English Language Learners.
The Public Advocate succeeds the Mayor in the event that the Mayor resigns, is removed, dies or otherwise is unable to discharge his powers and duties. A vacancy in the office of Public Advocate will be filled by popular election. In the interim, the Speaker of the City Council becomes a member of all the boards on which the Public Advocate sits.