PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (Code 54457)
Public Information Officer is an unclassified state title, filled by appointment and outside the tenure protections that cover the competitive ranks.
It asks for a bachelor's degree. The published schedule for this title runs $62,091 to $86,926, but it is frozen at an older rate and these titles are typically paid off-schedule, so actual pay is often higher, and state payroll currently lists about 25 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 6 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Public Information Officer appears on the State payroll at 9 departments, most of them at Department of Law & Public Safety.
State departments
Showing the largest 8 of 9 departments. All agencies.
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 25 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $105,800. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (8)
- Legislature (6)
- Treasury (3)
- Juvenile Justice Commission (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under supervision of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, is responsible for assigned work programs of the Office of Public Communications; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Acts as technical advisor to assigned department officials on public information matters.
- Recommends changes in existing policies to the director.
- Maintains liaison with the press and public to determine reaction to state policies.
- Reviews, evaluates, and writes speeches, news releases, and newspaper and magazine articles on all issues.
- Supervises the preparation of newsletters, brochures, magazines, Web pages, and publications on planning, local government, problems and the state itself.
- Acts as official spokesperson for various state officials to inquiries from the press.
- Coordinates details attendant to speaking engagements of various state officials.
- Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
- Prepares correspondence related to public information matters.
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of statistical, financial, and other reports.
- Organizes and monitors press tours of institutions, departments, and various state facilities.
- Arranges press, radio, television, and magazine interviews and photographing of state employees, inmates, and official state buildings.
- Prior to release to newspapers, periodicals, or other instruments of public information, including Department Web pages, reviews, evaluates, screens, coordinates, and writes in proper form information pertinent to any of the programs and activities of state government or any of the various departments.
- Assists in the establishment of guidelines and checks for conformance to established guidelines for newspaper media in the reporting of emergency situations in which established procedures might not be applicable.
- Acts as official spokesperson for general news and emergencies.
- Reviews individual department programs and plans, writes, edits, and prepares the distribution within and without the department of news releases, articles, informational pamphlets, and publications containing pertinent material concerning the functions, activities, responsibilities, policies, objectives, methods, and procedures for the various departments.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
Experience
Five (5) years 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, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
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, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of procedures involved in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting factual data often complex in nature.
- Knowledge of basic principles and materials with editorial programming, journalism, and public relations.
- Knowledge of problems encountered in using factual data obtained from various sources, drawing reasonable and current conclusions, and in making use of facts pertinent to specific cases in clear, concise, and informative articles and news releases for publications.
- Knowledge of methods used in preparing copy for the printer and in arranging for illustrations including photographs and charts.
- Knowledge of conventions, form, and style used for newspapers, magazines, radio, and television.
- Knowledge of methods likely to be useful in arousing the interest and securing the cooperation of civil, business, professional, and other groups interested in the programs of the state.
- Ability to review and edit written material and to proofread copy.
- Ability to make full use of available media for the dissemination of news and information.
- Ability to organize public information and administrative work.
- Ability to interpret basic legislation and rules and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to write and deliver speeches on timely issues.
- Ability to supervise contractors providing film, graphic arts, and other public information services.
- Ability to organize complex assignments and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to make field trips and attend conferences, meetings, and exhibits to obtain current information concerning programs, activities, plans, and problems.
- Ability to work effectively with associates and with those individuals and groups interested in or concerned with the operation and services of the state.
- 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.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Additional experience as indicated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the above education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of experience.
A Master's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or English may be substituted for one (1) year of nonsupervisory experience.