PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT DEFINITION:
Under direction of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, does the work involved in helping to collect, put into proper form, and disseminate informative materials designed to aid the public information program of the unit concerned; does related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Helps gather informative materials concerning the current and proposed programs of the department and assists in putting the data collected into usable form.
Assists in the work involved in the preparation and distribution of news releases, speeches, radio scripts, films, features news stories, telecast scripts, bulletins, pamphlets, circulars, and other information materials designed to acquaint the general public with the functions, aims, programs regulations, policies, and procedures of the department.
Helps to compile material for, write, edit, and make final drafts of materials to be used in house papers and bulletins designed for employees of the department.
Assists in work involved in collecting, compiling, tabulating, and interpreting statistical and other information and in putting it into understandable form for the use of the general public.
Attends meetings, conferences, committee hearings, and other group meetings pertinent to the work of the department and makes full reports of the thinking and conclusions of the group concerned.
Helps prepare posters, charts, graphs, exhibits, and other visual aid materials, as required.
Makes speeches and gives talks before adult and school groups.
Drafts delegated correspondence concerning the public relations and publicity activities of the department.
Prepares essential reports of varied types.
Maintains essential public relations and publicity records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Five (5) years of professional experience in the collection, analysis, preparation, and dissemination of information in a public relations and/or public information program in a public or private agency or organization.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR:
Possession of a master's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or English.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in collecting and analyzing factual data and its interpretation and publication through the media of print, radio, and television.
Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, procedures, programs, and methods of the department and their application to specific cases after a period of training.
Knowledge of modern public information and advertising techniques and devices and of the conventions and the form and style required for press releases for print, radio, and television.
Knowledge of the sources from which significant information may be obtained.
Ability to prepare and assist in preparing informative articles and news releases for publication via the media of print, radio, and television.
Ability to review and edit written material and to proofread copy.
Ability to give talks before groups of varied ages and to promote cooperation with the aims of the department. Ability to utilize available media for the dissemination of news and information.
Ability to maintain essential records and files.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
