PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER                                                                                                   8482

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general direction, an employee in this class is responsible for planning and conducting a public information program for a town government to keep residents informed of the programs and services available to them.  The employee utilizes considerable initiative in the selection and planning of effective publicity programs to be presented through diverse media.  Supervision is exercised over a small clerical staff.  Assignments are received from an administrative superior and work is reviewed through conferences and written reports as to quality and adequacy of the publicity produced.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

          Prepares and distributes to varied media news items, speeches, articles, pamphlets and other publicity materials;

          Develops press releases and submits them to newspapers;

          Speaks at community groups and gatherings;

          Develops audiovisual publicity devices, which provide information to the public;

          Assays public reaction to the town's policies, services and activities.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of advertising and publicity; some knowledge of the programs and services offered by the town; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; ability to plan, organize, and direct promotional campaigns; originality in developing the most effective approaches to the unique problems of a public service organization; persuasiveness in attaining the cooperation of representa­tives of the media; ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions; ability to assign, supervise and review the work of a small group of clerical personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          (a) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Advertising, Communications or Liberal Arts and six (6) years of experience in newspaper, news broadcasting, magazine, marketing, managerial sales or public relations work which regularly involved writing or editing responsibilities; or,

          (b) Graduation from a standard senior high school and ten (10) years of experi­ence in newspaper, news broadcasting, magazine, or public relations work which regularly involved writing or editing responsibilities.

 

NOTE:  Relevant additional education will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

 

R12/30/91

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Non-Competitive

RR1/23/03