Minimum Qualifications

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

Qualifications

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

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 degree in media, new media, English, communications, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, films, TV productions, and 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.

Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible list for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

You 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

If a viable eligible list does not exist, a provisional appointment may be made in accordance with Civil Service Law. Candidates who accept a provisional appointment must take the next competitive examination and be reachable on the resultant eligible list in order to be considered for permanent appointment to the position. The minimum requirements for taking the examination are:

Either 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.

Only the title(s) listed is qualifying for this examination(s).

After one year of the service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

Duties Description

The Public Information Specialist 2 will function as the NYSDOT Region 11 Public Information Officer, contributing to its overarching messaging objectives and strategies. The Public Information Specialist 2 will work closely with NYSDOT employees within the Office of Communications as well as policy and engineering professionals throughout New York State, using the information provided to develop clear, concise messaging for the Commissioner and the Region as well as the general public.

Other Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

Write press releases, speeches, briefings as well as web, publication and social media content.
Serve as the Region 11 agency spokesperson, working with policy experts to meet strict deadlines for media responses and Departmental needs.
Promote Region 11 internal and external events, including but not limited to press conferences, storm briefings and internal celebrations.
Identify and coordinate appropriate media needs for public information strategies, including press releases, graphics, photography, and video.
Liaison with state and local elected officials on key projects and issues.
Write and distribute travel advisories and press releases. Make sure that the regional website is up to date and that all travel advisories and press releases are loaded as quickly as possible.
Coordinate GEM, REEP, and other awards in the Region. Organize and attend award ceremonies.
Attend meetings with elected, press, and government officials.
On a weekly basis visit projects and field offices, talk to staff, take pictures, create promotional material, and learn what’s going on in the Region.
Scan the regional newspapers, publications, TV and radio stations to look for not only clips related to NYSDOT, but of interest to the Department. Compile them and send the hyperlinks to the main office and regional leadership teams.
Search out new content for the Main Office and Regional Intradot to promote the great work of the region.
Must be available off-hours for potential media and weather-related briefings, events and responses.
Take photos and assign and catalog photo-taking from colleagues in the field for use on social media and internal channels.

Preferred Experience

Experience in a government communications office with specialization in writing/editing speeches, press releases, briefings and related materials.
Media relations professional who can effectively comprehend complicated issues and turn them into concise, understandable information.
Working knowledge of social media applications and practices.
Ability to handle on-camera interviews with media is a plus.

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the

department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Additional Comments

_______________________________________

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or

mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any

prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment

with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the

Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.

NYS Department of Transportation

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Public Information Specialist 2