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Home My WebLink About2.298 PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I 20220824PART I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES COUNTY OF KAUAI 2.298 Class Specifications for the Class: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I SR-18, BU-13 Duties Summary: Assists in performing moderately complex public relations and informational activities relating to governmental functions and programs for a department and/or agency; assists in maintaining effective working relationships with the members of the media, community groups and key individuals in the public and private sectors; and performs other related duties as required. Distinguishing Characteristics: This class is distinguished by its responsibility to assist in performing moderately complex public relations and informational activities relating to governmental functions and programs. A position in this class is responsible for assisting in the planning and executing informational, educational, and interpretive programs requiring some application of the basic principles, techniques and concepts relating to public information services and community response program activities. Examples of Duties: (The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical assignment for the position).  Assists in researching and gathering information from various sources and selects information to be used;  Prepares informational materials (i.e., news releases, articles, bulletins, etc.) for dissemination to the general public through various media;  Provides information and assistance t over the phone, email, etc.;  Writes letters in response to inquiries;  Assists in editing or preparing departmental publications;  May prepare or supervise the preparation of displays, signs, filmstrips, exhibition materials, etc.;  Sets up press releases; PART I PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I 2 2.298  Acts as press liaison between other county departments, community groups, etc.;  May write speeches for departmental personnel;  May speak before groups;  May prepare advertisements;  Keeps informed on current departmental and County operations, activities, and plans for possible use in communication media; and  Performs other related duties as required. Knowledge of: Principles and techniques used in writing informational material; local government organization, functions, and operations; pertinent functions of State and federal agencies. Ability to: Write and speak effectively; secure, evaluate and present facts accurately and concisely; work well with people; communicate effectively with various segments of the public; understand and explain written material; assist in planning and administering programs. This is an amendment and re-titling to the specification for the class, PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I, which was approved as INFORMATION SPECIALIST I on April 4, 1989, amended on November 26, 2022, amended on December 12, 2016, effective July 1, 2016, and on April 27, 2022, and is to be substituted for that specification. Approved: August 24, 2022 (date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Director of Human Resources PART II DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES COUNTY OF KAUAI 2.298 Minimum Qualification Specifications for the Class: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I SR-18, BU-13 Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field; and  one (1) year of professional work experience in public relations or communications. Substitutions Allowed: The following may be substituted for education: General professional work experience or education credits can be substituted for up to two (2) years of the Bachelor’s degree such as: A. Full time progressively responsible professional, technical, or substantive work experience demonstrating the scope, level, and quality of work comparable to a curriculum leading to an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. B. Successful completion of semester credits in a curriculum leading to a degree or diploma at an accredited community college, trades school, college, or university (15 semester credits = 6 months). Specialized professional work experience in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field or education credits in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field can be substituted for up to four (4) years of the bachelor’s degree such as: A. Full time progressively responsible professional, technical, or substantive work experience demonstrating the scope, level, and quality of work comparable to a curriculum leading to an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. B. Successful completion of semester credits specific to communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field leading to a degree or diploma from an accredited community college, trades school, college, or university (15 semester credits = 6 months). A master’s degree or PhD in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field may be substituted for the education requirement. PART II PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I 2 2.298 The following may be substituted for experience: A. Successful completion of semester credits specific in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field leading towards a Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD degree from an accredited college or university, may be substituted up to one (1) year of the work experience in public relations or communications (15 semester credits = 6 months). B. A Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the work experience in public relations or communications. C. A Doctorate’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the work experience in public relations or communications. If a degree is used to substitute for the education requirement, it may not be used again towards the experience requirement. If work experience is used to substitute for education, it may not be used again to meet the experience requirement. If the applicant holds more than one degree, transcripts must be provided, and a thorough review will be conducted by the DHR staff in order for more than one degree to be credited towards the minimum qualification requirements. Additional degrees can be considered if obtained independently through mutually exclusive classes from another degree being considered. Substitutions will be used to the advantage of the applicant. Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being considered. License Requirement: Possession of the appropriate licenses or certificates as required of the position. Selective Certification: Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position. Agencies requesting Selective Certification must show the connection between the kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective certification and the duties of the position to be filled. PART II PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I 3 2.298 Tests: Applicants may be required to qualify on an appropriate examination. Health and Physical Condition Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping: Light This is an amendment and re-titling to the specification for the class, PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST I, which was approved as INFORMATION SPECIALIST I on April 4, 1989, amended on November 26, 2022, amended on December 12, 2016, effective July 1, 2016, and on April 27, 2022, and is to be substituted for that specification. Approved: August 24, 2022 (date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Director of Human Resources