
Public Information Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)
Rensselaer, NY · HybridFull-time$70–89K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
The Public Information Specialist 1 develops and disseminates agency content for websites, publications, and social media, and responds to media and public information requests. The role includes maintaining social media calendars and channels, interviewing program staff to verify information, and communicating agency initiatives and services. A bachelor’s degree in a listed field and two years of relevant experience are required; photography and videography experience are preferred.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
NY HELPS Yes
55-b/c Eligible Yes
Agency Children & Family Services, Office of
Title Public Information Specialist 1 (NY HELPS)
Occupational Category Other Professional Careers
Salary Grade 18
Bargaining Unit PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary Range From $69964 to $88970 Annually
Employment Type Full-Time
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Internship No
Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class
Travel Percentage 15%
Workweek Mon-Fri
Hours Per Week 37.5
Workday
From 8 AM
To 5 PM
Flextime allowed? No
Mandatory overtime? No
Compressed workweek allowed? No
Telecommuting allowed? Yes
County Rensselaer
Street Address Capital View Office Park - Public Information Office
52 Washington Street
City Rensselaer
State NY
Zip Code 12144
Duties Description Public Information Specialists draft, edit and disseminate written materials; develop content concerning programs and activities of an agency for website, print and electronic publications, and digital and social media. The selected candidate for the position will handle social media content duties, including: calendar maintenance, drafting, and posting. They will also respond to media inquiries regarding agency’s initiatives, programs, and services, and maintain the agency’s website content and social media channels. Public Information Specialists have frequent verbal and written communications with various individuals. Within the agency, they interview program staff to collect and confirm information for use in various documents or responses. Some of this information may be technical or scientific in nature. They also communicate with the public by responding to requests for information. Additional duties will be discussed in greater detail during the interview.
Minimum Qualifications Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position, which are: A bachelor’s 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.Also open to State Employees via Transfer Qualifications: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer. This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Additional Comments Preferred Qualifications: Photography and videography experience are a plusPosition requires 15% travel.Incumbent must be able to stand and walk for periods of time for events, and lift equipment up to 30lbs.*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe 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.Background Investigation Requirements:1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees. 2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees. 3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Telephone 518-473-7936
Fax 518-473-6122
Email Address [email protected]
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - MEM
52 Washington Street, 231 North
City Rensselaer
State NY
Zip Code 12144
Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to [email protected] You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.
How this job compares
Set against the 2,125 open Communications jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$70–89K/yr
- New York median$100–142K/yr139 salary ranges
- US median$93–140K/yr1,153 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $79K, is 34% below the New York median midpoint ($120K) — in the lowest quarter of Communications salary ranges in New York.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 218 open Communications jobs in New York and 2,125 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in New York
- CDM Smith12 open
- Orchestra9 open
- JPMorgan Chase8 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience; Communications postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (1,402 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 810 of the 2,125 open Communications jobs (38%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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