Public Information Specialist 1 (NY Helps)

Responsibilities

• Prepare written material, edit, and disseminate informational materials concerning agency programs and activities.
• Develop content for newspapers, radio, television, Internet web sites, web page layout, video, periodicals, and state publications.
• Interact with the public, media, and agency staff to publicize or clarify agency programs and policies.
• Work under general supervision and perform the full range of public information activities required for written and audiovisual materials.
• Serve a role within the Incident Command System to support departmental response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, film, TV production, or digital marketing, plus two years of experience in public or governmental relations and/or writing or producing content for various media.
• Master’s degree (or higher) in the fields listed above, plus one year of experience in public or governmental relations and/or writing or producing content for various media.
• Six years of experience in public or governmental relations and/or writing or producing content for various media.

Applicants must be qualified New York State employees with at least three months of permanent competitive, non‑competitive, or 55‑b/55‑c service as a Public Information Specialist (including Spanish Language) or as a Multimedia Production Technician, Graphic Designer 1, or Photographer 2.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. For the duration of the NY HELPS program, the position may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment (no examination required) provided candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Eventually, NY HELPS appointments are expected to convert to competitive status, granting the same rights and privileges as other competitive class employees.

Salary information: the listed salary range reflects the full range for this graded position; new State employees receive the hiring rate (beginning of the range). Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with civil service law and negotiated contracts. For more details, see NY OER salary schedules.