Exam Bulletin - Information Officer II (LEAP)

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1369

Examination Plans Included:

  • INFORMATION OFFICER II - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

INFORMATION OFFICER II: $7,068.00 - $8,783.00 per Month

View the INFORMATION OFFICER II classification specification.

Application Instructions

Introduction to the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)

 

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an alternative examination and appointment process for the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities into the California state civil service. The LEAP is a two-part process that consists of: (1) a Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation and (2) a Job Examination Period that is administered and evaluated in the work setting.

 

To qualify to take this Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, you must first have LEAP certification issued by the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). For information on how to obtain LEAP certification, visit the DOR website at https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/LEAP. To find a DOR office near you, contact the DOR at (916) 558-5300, TTY (916) 558-5302, or online at www.dor.ca.gov.

 

The legal authority for the LEAP is Government Code Sections 19240-19244.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • INFORMATION OFFICER II - Open

Individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Individuals with a disability, a record of a disability, or who are regarded as having a disability that limits one or more major life activities
  2. Individuals who have Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) certification from the California Department of Rehabilitation
  3. Individuals who satisfy the minimum qualifications as stated in the minimum qualifications section below

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1369

For INFORMATION OFFICER II, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01369

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00105595 - INFORMATION OFFICER II

Either 1
Two years of experience in the California state service performing duties equivalent to those of an Information Officer I.

Or 2
Experience: Broad and successful experience which has demonstrated the ability to plan and direct a comprehensive public information program. This must have included at least five years' professional experience in preparing and disseminating information, a substantial part of which also included supervising the writing of others. Writing experience, while an integral part of the above, will not be considered qualifying in itself. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Position Description

00105595 - INFORMATION OFFICER II

Analyzes the extent of public understanding of the programs administered by the agency and determines the need for further public information and education activity; establishes the objectives of the agency's information program and develops and actuates the techniques and procedures to accomplish these objectives; directs a staff in the conduct of the program; evaluates its effectiveness and recommends appropriate changes; coordinates and evaluates the information and education activities of the agency's field personnel; meets with top management and advises on any public relations implication of proposed actions; attends staff conferences at top management level as a regular participating member; contacts individuals and members of interested organizations to keep them informed of the agency's activities; makes speeches before various groups; promotes the knowledge and use of the agency's services; performs to the extent required any or all of the typical tasks of an Information Officer I.

Distinguishing Characteristics
An Information Officer II is differentiated from an Information Officer I by the agency's program and by the level of responsibility delegated.

An Information Officer II is delegated full responsibility for all aspects of information activities in an agency that meets one or more of these criteria; its program either directly affects a large and heterogeneous public, or it affects a public with strong personal interests in its administration; it usually has economic, political, or social implications of considerable impact; it often elicits continuous interest and critical review by political bodies or interest groups; administration of its program is often subject to question, misconceptions, and conflicting views.

An Information Officer II reports directly to top management who rely upon the incumbent for advice on good public relations consistent with overall goals; develops special channels for earning public or specific group support; may appear as agency spokesperson before large groups; frequently supervises professional, technical and clerical subordinates.

Special Personal Characteristics
Appreciation of news value; ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt or recommend for adoption by top management an effective course of action; ability to gain the confidence and respect of persons contacted in the work; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relations with the news media and other public groups; emotional stability under stress; application of the need to inform and educate the public on various phases of an agency's program.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following components:

  • LEAP Assessment : 100% of the final score.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

LEAP Process Information

 

PART 1: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT/READINESS EVALUATION – Weighted 100%

 

This Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation consists solely of minimum qualification questions that assess the training, experience, and education that you have previously obtained. Your responses to the questions will determine if the training, experience, and education you have meet the minimum qualifications for the Information Officer 2 classification. If you pass the Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, your name will be placed on the Information Officer 2 LEAP Referral List, and you will have referral list eligibility to apply for Information Officer 2 vacancies.

 

Applicants who obtain Information Officer 2 LEAP Referral List eligibility must compete for job vacancies in order to begin PART 2 of this process, which is called the Job Examination Period.

 

PART 2: JOB EXAMINATION PERIOD (JEP)

 

The JEP begins after you are hired and obtain an examination appointment. When you perform the duties of your state job, you will be evaluated on your job performance at least every four weeks, or more often, if needed. Your evaluation will be based on the classification specification and the duty statement of the position.

 

The JEP will be the same length as the length of the probationary period for the same non-LEAP classification.

 

After successful completion of the JEP, the result will be a transition from an examination appointment to a standard appointment as a Information Officer 2. If appointed to a permanent position through the LEAP process, you will not be required to serve a probationary period.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Methods used to determine needs for public information and education
  2. Techniques of preparing, producing and disseminating information, utilizing all major media of communication
  3. Principles and techniques of establishing and maintaining good public relations
  4. California State Government
  5. Principles of public administration
  6. Effective supervision
  7. Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives
  8. A manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives
Ability to:
  1. Organize and direct a statewide program of public information and education
  2. Write effectively
  3. Analyze data
  4. Supervise the work of an information staff
  5. Stimulate interest in an agency's program and secure the cooperation of diverse groups in conducting that program
  6. Understand and effectively carry out State and departmental equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the INFORMATION OFFICER II Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)