Public Information Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)

Duties Description

Public Information Specialists draft, edit and disseminate written materials; develop content concerning programs and activities of an agency for website, print and electronic publications, and digital and social media. The selected candidate for the position will handle social media content duties, including: calendar maintenance, drafting, and posting. They will also respond to media inquiries regarding agency’s initiatives, programs, and services, and maintain the agency’s website content and social media channels. Public Information Specialists have frequent verbal and written communications with various individuals. Within the agency, they interview program staff to collect and confirm information for use in various documents or responses. Some of this information may be technical or scientific in nature. They also communicate with the public by responding to requests for information. Additional duties will be discussed in greater detail during the interview.

Minimum Qualifications

Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position, which are:

A bachelor’s 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.

Also open to State Employees via Transfer Qualifications: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.

This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

Additional Comments

Preferred Qualifications: Photography and videography experience are a plus

Position requires 15% travel.

Incumbent must be able to stand and walk for periods of time for events, and lift equipment up to 30lbs.

Preferred Qualifications: Photography and videography experience are a plus

Position requires 15% travel.

Incumbent must be able to stand and walk for periods of time for events, and lift equipment up to 30lbs.

• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non- competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
  
  

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Background Investigation Requirements

• All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
• All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
• For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
  
  

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.