Assistant Information Officer
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: LZ19
Class Code: 5603
Established: 11/18/1955
Revised: 08/17/1977
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under supervision, to perform the less difficult professional and technical activities associated with the conduct of a comprehensive program to inform the public of the activities and objectives of a State agency; and to do other related work.
Distinguishing Characteristics
An Assistant Information Officer is differentiated from an Information Officer I by the degree of independence with which the incumbent works and by the nature of the incumbent's assignments. An Assistant Information Officer usually is assigned tasks of lesser degree of difficulty and generally works under closer supervision. The incumbent may, however, be given full responsibility for accomplishing specific tasks or assignments.
Typical Tasks
Writes copy for news releases, brochures, pamphlets, other departmental publications, and material to be broadcast on radio and/or television; conducts research in the preparation of news releases, articles and speeches; answers inquiries from the representatives of the news media and from other persons; distributes news releases and other information material through publicity channels such as newspapers, news services, periodicals, radio and television; prepares correspondence; prepares exhibits; prepares layouts, including page dummies of pamphlets, brochures and other publications for printing; reads and corrects proofs; keeps or supervises the keeping of scrapbooks, files of clippings and other information of value to the department.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Editorial Technician.
Or II
Experience: Two years of experience writing, reporting or editing for a newspaper, news service, radio or television station, or magazine, or in a position having major duties in the area of public relations or public information and involving communicating to the public; and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college, preferably with a major in journalism, public relations, or English. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Techniques of preparing, producing and disseminating information, utilizing all major media of communication; English grammar and spelling; California State Government.
Ability to: Write and prepare for publication or reproduction less difficult news releases, magazine articles, correspondence, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, magazines, reports, speeches, scripts for radio, television or motion pictures, and other information material; write and speak effectively; analyze data; type at a minimum of 20 words per minute.
Special Personal Characteristics
High interest in the field of public information work; originality and creativeness; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relations with representatives of the news media and other public groups; ability to gain and hold the confidence and respect of those contacted in the work; and ability to assume increasing responsibility.
