Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyEducation Department, State

TitlePublic Information Specialist 2 (NY HELPS), Box OCE-1441/26213

Occupational CategoryNo Preference

Salary Grade23

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $84156 to $106454 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address Office of Cultural Education

Office of Communications

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12234

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

NY HELPS

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

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be 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.

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• 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
• 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
• Seven years of the experience described above.

Non-qualifying degrees: Examples of non-qualifying degrees include political science, theater, sports science, and education.
Non-qualifying experience: Experience limited to blogs, personal business, or personal webpage/website, will not be considered qualifying for the purposes of this examination.

COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Public Information Specialist 2.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for this title. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.

Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as an Associate in Engineering Research Editor. For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website.

55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:

• 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
• 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
• Seven years of the experience described above.

Non-qualifying degrees: Examples of non-qualifying degrees include political science, theater, sports science, and education.
Non-qualifying experience: Experience limited to blogs, personal business, or personal webpage/website, will not be considered qualifying for the purposes of this examination.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Communications is seeking candidates for a Public Information Specialist 2 position in the Office of Cultural Education (OCE). The OCE includes the New York State Museum, State Library, State Archives, Office of Educational Television and Public Broadcasting, and the Summer School of the Arts. Reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs, the Public Information Specialist 2 will serve as OCE’s manager of media relations and marketing. This position requires outstanding oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage, plan, and implement marketing and public relations efforts for OCE, serving as a liaison between OCE and the State Education Department’s Office of Communications Work with senior management in OCE and the Office of Communications to draft strategic and timely responses to media inquiries;
• Work with OCE management and the Office of Communications to strategize internal and external communications, including writing and editing public announcements, press releases, media advisories, video scripts, website text, social media posts, and internal announcements;
• Draft, guide, proofread, and edit documents—including those submitted by program area staff—to ensure accuracy and conformity to Department standards and policy;
• Coordinate, lead, and create social media content for OCE social media accounts;
• Draft correspondence, talking points, presentations and speeches related to OCE programs and services for senior staff, including for the Deputy Commissioner, the State Education Commissioner, and members of the Board of Regents;
• Oversee, manage, and coordinate monthly email newsletters. Draft sections as necessary to ensure consistent quality and alignment with organizational goals;
• Work with the information technology and digital media teams to ensure OCE’s websites accurately and effectively promote its programs, collections, exhibitions, and research;
• Provide guidance and advice to program area staff regarding public presentations, community outreach, and techniques for public relations and interacting effectively with news media; and
• Manage and supervise video filming and recordings conducted by outside organizations, including the media, at the Cultural Education Center to ensure appropriate policies are followed and that OCE is accurately portrayed.

Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This will be a permanent, competitive appointment or a permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office.

This position leads to a maximum salary of $106,454 based on annual performance advances.

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by November 22, 2024, to ocejobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1441/26213) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

Interested in a job with New York State, but don’t know where to start?

Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf

Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Office of Human Resources Management

Telephone (518) 474-5215

Fax (518) 486-5631

Email Address OCEJOBS@nysed.gov

Address

Street NYS Education Department

89 Washington Avenue, OHRM, Room 528 EB

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12234

 

Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by November 22, 2024, to ocejobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1441/26213) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.