GOT-IT

Public Information Specialist 2

Grade 23

New York State has approximately 43 positions* in this title statewide. You may view a breakdown of positions by county. This position exists in various agencies statewide. View links to all New York State agencies including agencies that have this title. For more information, New York State employees can contact the Career Mobility Office at (518) 485-6199 or (800) 553-1322. If you are not a current New York State employee, you can use the Department of Civil Service Web site to explore possible employment opportunities.

*The number of positions is approximate and represents the number of positions established (both filled and vacant); it is not an indication or reference to position type or duration, or intent to be filled. If you are viewing a trainee title, please note this number reflects the number of positions established at the journey level. Agencies may fill at the trainee level(s) or at the journey level based on employee qualifications. GOT-IT does not provide information on any job postings or job availability. For information on current job postings, please visit State Jobs NY. You may also visit specific New York State Agency websites for information about an agency and its job opportunities.

Career Ladder

A listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series. The salary schedule for this career ladder is also available.

  1. Public Information Specialist 1

    Grade 18

  2. Public Information Specialist 2

    Grade 23

Summary of Job Description

As a Public Information Specialist 2, you would:

Draft informational materials concerning agency activities.

Review subject matter ideas and suggestions received to determine nature and amount of information needed and where it may be available.

Collect and confirm data from within and outside the agency by conducting interviews, attending conferences, visiting facilities, and reviewing files.

Select the appropriate information for the assignment, prepare draft or final copy, and submit to higher level staff for approval.

Write, edit, and distribute informational materials such as press releases, briefings, brochures, and other publications.

Draft news releases, scripts, and other informational materials.

Proofread, rewrite, and edit documents submitted by others for style, content, and conformity to agency standards and policy.

Plan or recommend layout, and the graphics to use.

Arrange for preparation of materials by authors, artists, photographers, information technology staff, and others, consistent with the publications goals.

Check proofs and prepare or assist in the preparation of final copy.

Prepare layouts and headlines, images and captions.

Participate in various activities related to or in support of an agency's public information program.

May conduct tours, make speeches and presentations, and prepare displays for use at fairs, conferences, conventions, seminars, and training sessions.

Design, assist in the design or arrange for the design, set up, staffing, and operation of displays and exhibits.

Answer inquiries from the public and the news media concerning an agency's programs.

Maintain schedule of agency events and notifies the news media.

Arrange for press conferences, seminars, public hearings, and other informational gatherings by securing speakers, creating agenda, preparing invitation lists, administering physical arrangements, preparing publicity materials and supplying the media with information.

Review external publications for items related to the agency and assist in drafting appropriate response.

Coordinate public appearances for agency staff to explain programs and initiatives and to gain stakeholder support for agency activities.

Provide assistance and advice on community outreach and public participation and advise agency staff on matters regarding public presentations and media relations.

Maintain an agency's website content and social media channels.

Establish and manage social media presence by creating, publishing and maintaining content (text, images, video, etc.).

Create content for and maintains an agency's website using content management software.

Coordinate agency responses to inquiries received through various channels, including social media.

Monitor and track feedback related to agency programs and initiatives in digital environments and posts appropriate response.

Capture and analyze social and digital media metrics and assists in addressing issues.

May supervise lower level employees including support, creative, and information technology staff.

Establish and maintain work and production schedules.

Assign work to subordinate employees, suggesting topic and format and providing technical assistance.

Review work in progress and upon completion for adherence to instructions, appropriateness of style and treatment, accuracy of content and grammar.

Train subordinate staff in writing, public relations techniques, and interacting effectively with news media.

Evaluate staff performance against acceptable standards.

Assist supervisor and other agency officials in planning, executing and evaluating the public information program.

Propose public information policies for the agency, or changes in policies, on such matters as handling inquiries from the news media and releasing material under Freedom of Information legislation.

Suggest changes in the agency's public information objectives or new techniques for accomplishing objectives.

Periodically review materials issued by the agency and recommend changes in subject matter, format and distribution method.

Advise agency officials on the most effective methods of preparing and disseminating materials for existing and new policies, programs and activities.

Work with supervisors or program staff to evaluate the effectiveness of communications; may analyze internal agency input or external customer input collected through surveys, focus groups, or interviews.

View the classification standard for this title, on the Classification and Compensation webpage.

The NYS Title and Salary Plan provides additional information regarding other titles. If there is a classification standard available there will be a link under the column labeled STD. NO. If no link is available there is no classification standard available at this time for that title.

Summary of Minimum Qualifications

Please note: qualifications for this position may be subject to change. If substitutions for education and/or experience are allowed, this information would be available on the announcement.

You must take and pass a Civil Service examination in order to be considered for this position.

There are two examinations for this position. Please note: New York State employees may qualify for both.

For employees of New York State, on or before the date of the examination, the candidate must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive, or 55-b/55-c service as a:

A. Public Information Specialist 1, or a Public Information Specialist 1 (Spanish Language);

OR

B. Graphic Designer 2, Multimedia Production Representative 1, Multimedia Production Program Specialist 1, Photographer 4, or Tax Publication Editor 1.


For all other qualified individuals, on or before the date of the examination the candidate must have either:

1. a bachelor’s degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, films, TV productions, or digital marketing AND three years of experience in public or governmental relations, and/or in writing or producing content for various media;

OR

2. a master’s or higher degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, films, TV productions, or digital marketing AND two years of experience in public or governmental relations, and/or in writing or producing content for various media;

OR

3. seven years of the experience described above.

For informational purposes only, click on the examination number(s) listed below to see the current or previous examination(s) that are used to fill this title.

26-311 37-942

How to Apply

When this examination is scheduled to be held, the announcement can be found on the Department of Civil Service, Examination Announcements web page. If you do not see an examination currently scheduled please check back on a monthly basis or sign up for announcement notification by email so that you will automatically be notified when new examinations are being offered.

Career Mobility

Career mobility is not just limited to the titles in the Career Ladder, above. Additional movement may be achieved through other examinations, additional education and/or work experience or transfer opportunities. For additional information or clarification of transfer determinations, current State employees should contact the Career Mobility Office. Visit ELMS Online to view established open-competitive, promotion, and transition eligible lists. If you are not a current New York State employee, see Employment Opportunities with New York State and find out how to become a New York State employee.

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