2J03

PAY RANGE: EP18

PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST 2

(Bilingual)

(General)

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is public information and promotional work at the full performance level in an operating department or at the City Representative’s Office. Employees in this class prepare and disseminate informational and public relations material. Work includes arranging for the presence of representatives of the news media at departmental exhibits and special events. Contact with departmental and mass communications media personnel is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a technical superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

1. Positions in this class must perform public information and promotional work at the full performance level in an operating department or at the Office of the City Representative.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Obtains information on current issues affecting non‑English language speaking community; maintains a mailing list of persons active in various language groups; writes and/or translates informational and educational newspaper articles, radio scripts, pamphlets, leaflets, speeches and brochures.

BOTH SPECIALITIES

Participates in developing concepts for departmental informational and promotional programs; meets with departmental administrators to discuss possible promotional strategies; formulates strategies to publicize departmental activities, programs and special events using a variety of media; advises departmental administrators in public relations and informational techniques and means to enhance customer and community relations.

Performs research required to prepare promotional and informational materials; prepares news releases, articles for publication in newspapers and magazines, photo captions, bulletins, pamphlets and other materials on objectives, functions and accomplishments of the department.

Designs client surveys and questionnaires to determine client satisfaction and to evaluate services provided by the department.

Arranges for newspaper, television and radio coverage of departmental exhibits and ceremonial functions; coordinates the production and distribution of informational materials with departmental employees and/or contracted firms.

Establishes and maintains liaison with representatives of informational media; provides background and factual material to press, radio and television representatives.

May represent the department at community events, meetings, press conferences, and ceremonial events.

Performs related work as required.

DIGITAL MEDIA ASSIGNMENT

Utilizes web application technology to write, edit and adapt accurate and editorially consistent social media or internet content for web site or blog; collaborates with and guides content specialists in developing customer-friendly web site copy; may use software to edit graphics and photos for web content; responds to online inquiries from citizens.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· current principles, practices and developments in communications, public relations and in the news media

· English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling

· modern journalistic principles and practices

· methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public and of print and electronic media available for such activities

· public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational materials in all types of media

· speech writing techniques, including data compilation research, and preparation of final drafts

· practices and techniques of writing promotional and informational materials

· current and expanding social media

SKILL IN:

· web applications software for the purpose of writing and editing web content for the Digital Media Assignment

· planning and facilitating special events

ABILITY TO:

· develop print and electronic communications

· edit graphics and photos for the Digital Media Assignment

· develop and manage department’s website content and expanding social media strategies and outreach for the Digital Media Assignment

· prepare interesting and informative news releases, articles, speeches, bulletins, reports, scripts and other informational material

· strategize and evaluate various subject matter materials critically from the standpoint of reader interest, organization of material, content, and style

· formulate strategies to publicize departmental activities, programs and special events

· perform research required to prepare informational materials

· design client surveys and questionnaires

· coordinate the production and distribution of informational materials

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the public, local civic and business officials, special event partners, and representatives of radio and television media and the press

· speak, read and write fluently in a specified non‑English language and the English language for the Bilingual specialty

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/24.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in communications, journalism, marketing, media studies, public relations or a related area.

NOTE: Completion of a relevant industry certification or additional experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Two years of paid experience in communications, creative marketing, digital media, or public relations work for a governmental or non-profit agency.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which includes the specific experience.

BILINGUAL SPECIALTY

Sufficient training to be able to read, write and speak effectively in the specified non‑English language required by the job assignment.

City of Philadelphia Classes that typically meet the minimum specific experience requirements:

Public Relations Specialist 1 (2J02)

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established 1/53

Spec. Revised: CSC ‑ 10/91; Ad. Board ‑ 12/91

CSC – 2/15; Ad. Board – 2/15

CSC – 8/15; Ad. Board – 8/15

Spec. Revision: CSC – 9/16; Ad. Board – 10/16

CSC – 1/18; Ad. Board – 2/18

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 3/19

Ad. Board – 4/19

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 5/24

Ad Board – 6/24