General Description of Class
The PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE 2 develops and coordinates
a department or division public information policy and program. Additionally, the Public Information Representative
2 advises administrators and management staff regarding public information policy and procedures.
Distinguishing Features
This is the third level of a three-level series of classes. Overall
responsibility to develop and carry out a public information program for a department, division, or major operational
unit of State government and primary responsibility to advises administrative staff regarding public information
policy and procedural issues distinguish it from the second level. Additionally, the position is the primary media
contact and may coordinate the work of a media relations staff.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are not inclusive but characterize the
type and level of work associated with this class. Individual positions may do all or some combination of the duties
listed below as well as other related duties.
- Policy and Procedure Planning. Advise administrator and management staff about formulating public response to
sensitive or controversial issues. Recommend general procedures and guides for management and staff relations with
the media. Train and coach management and staff to respond
appropriately to media or public inquiry. Develop information strategies to stimulate public or staff awareness,
understanding and support for programs, polices and procedures. Develop public information materials to help meet
department or division goals.
- Public Relations. As
primary media contact, coordinate department or division media relations. Develop and maintain effective working
relationships with the print and electronic media. Represent
the agency at public meetings or with special interest groups and organizations. Advise administrator or staff
serving as spokesperson at press conferences. At times, serve as press conference spokesperson. Arrange for public
meetings to explain or promote programs, policies or procedures. Write
news releases and special feature articles. Write responses for administrator's or governor's signature. Write
speeches. Prepare and present confidential reports on agency matters at the administrator's request. Prepare legislative
position papers and management background papers on legislative matters, program proposals and agency achievements
or problems. Develop and produce audio and visual presentations,
publications, and audiovisual materials to explain or promote agency goals, programs, and policies. Conduct surveys
or polls to discover information needs or reactions to programs, policies and procedures. Act as spokesperson at legislative hearings or committee meetings. Track, analyze,
and report legislative actions. Work effectively with legislators and their staffs. Work with staff of other agencies
on information programs or projects. Attend public meetings and present information to promote agency programs,
policies and procedures.
- Production. Advise,
guide, and assist staff producing informational material. Develop, write and edit agency policy and procedure manuals.
Review and approve materials for publication or production (e.g.,
audiovisual materials and audio and visual presentations). Approve requests or order public information supplies
and equipment. Prepare, recommend, and manage organization's public information program budget. Design, write, edit and produce internal or external publications explaining or
promoting agency programs and policies. Ask management or staff to write copy or prepare graphics for publications
or audiovisual presentations. Prepare bid specifications
for public information projects. Approve, or effectively recommend approval of, production bids. Coordinate with
printers or media production technicians to meet quality standards and deadlines. Develop timelines and schedule
projects. Monitor for timely completion.
Relationships with Others
Employee has frequent in-person, telephone, and written contact
with representatives of the media, public or private interest groups and the public. These contacts are to give
information about agency programs, policies and procedures. Contacts may relate to sensitive or controversial matters
and may take place in a hostile environment.
There is frequent contact with department or division management
and staff to obtain or verify information. There is regular telephone, in-person, or written contact with representatives
of other agencies, the legislature, and legislative staff to provide or obtain information related to agency programs
or interests. There is regular contact with printers, graphics specialists, vendors, and technicians to coordinate
the production of information materials.
Supervision Received
Employee reports to, and receives assignments from, an agency
administrator or other high-level manager. Within general supervision, the employee develops and implements specific
program assignments. Administrative staff and management consult upon request. Work products must comply with State
law and rules; department or division rules, policies and procedures; and the norms and standards applicable to
information materials production.
General Information
Positions occasionally require working irregular hours and statewide
travel.
Minimum Qualifications
- Three years of experience as a public relations representative
for an organization which involved gathering information, writing and/or producing materials, presenting information
to the public, handling public relations, preparing press releases, and interaction with the news media. At least
one year of this experience must have involved participating in planning and administering an organization's public
relations program.
A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a closely-related
field may substitute for up to two years of the general experience but will not substitute for the one year of
specialized experience.