Information Officer III, CEA
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general administrative direction, to plan, organize and direct a departmental public information program designed to meet the needs of the public to be fully informed of the policies, procedures and programs of departments in which there is a unique or highly unusual public interest; as part of the top management of a department or group of departments to consult with and advise the Director(s) and other top managers on the formation, composition and timeliness of departmental policy and programs as related to the informational impact; to be the contact point for all media and formal information contacts for the department; to supervise other information officers and technical staff; and do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Plans, organizes, and coordinates the public information and public affairs' programs of a department; as an integral part of top management, attends executive staff meetings; advises and consults with the Director and other members of top management, giving pre- policy decision inputs; answers highly sensitive correspondence and manages the correspondence program for the Director and departmental top management; screens major program and policy change and developments for informational implications; acts as the Director's spokesperson to the public and media; selects appropriate people to appear for the department before the media; has a wide scope of contacts for and through the department; may supervise a technical staff; helps establish departmental and agency information program objectives; makes speeches before various groups; promotes the public knowledge and use of department's programs and services.
Distinguishing Characteristics
An Information Officer III, C.E.A., is differentiated from an Information Officer II by the scope and sensitivity of a department's programs, and by the level, scope and role of the Information Officer.
An Information Officer III, C.E.A., is located in departments where programs, policy and activity is of a highly sensitive and visible nature.
An Information Officer III, C.E.A., is delegated independent responsibility for the department's information program, and reports directly to the Director. He/She is considered part of top management and has important influence on policy and program.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Either
1. One year of experience in the California state service with responsibility for coordinating, planning, directing or managing a complex information and public affairs program, in a class with a level of responsibility not less than Information Officer II. or
2. Three years with similar responsibilities in a class with a level of responsibility not less than Information Officer I.
or
3. Broad and extensive (more than five years) experience in managing and directing a comprehensive information program. and Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Methods used to determine needs for public information and education; techniques of preparing, producing and disseminating information, utilizing all major media of communication; principles and techniques of establishing and maintaining good public relations; California State Government; principles of public administration; principles of effective supervision; department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Organize and direct a statewide program of public information and education; write effectively; analyze data; supervise the work of an information staff; stimulate interest in an agency's program and secure the cooperation of diverse groups in conducting that program; develop agencywide objectives and policy; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.
