Job Posting: Information Officer I

Department of Education

JC-437962
-
Information Officer I
INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)

$5,684.00 - $7,114.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 7/8/2024

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Information Officer II and Director of Communications, the Information Officer I answers questions from the media, writes press releases and talking points, and assists in all facets of communicating the California Department of Education's (CDE’s) news to the media and the public. Tasks include researching, writing, editing, and distributing complex news releases, news advisories, talking points, brochures, speeches, and social media posts; assisting with branding; video editing; and the creation of other material for digital and print publication or broadcast by the CDE or media outlets as well as the planning and organizing media events for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) and senior staff.

The Information Officer I provides support for Communication Division communication plans, including collaborating with CDE staff in other branches and independently researching, writing, and editing to design and distribute complex news releases, news advisories, social media posts, website content, video content, and other forms of information through appropriate channels. The Information Officer I assists with branding and marketing efforts and prepares talking points and other needed support for the SSPI and senior staff for media interviews or speaking events.

Other responsibilities include:

• Answering inquiries from representatives of the news media by checking with staff and researching written documents to formulate appropriate answers and delivering them on a timely basis.
• Working on internal communications, including the CDE Today newsletter to help keep local educational agencies and CDE staff aware of initiatives and projects of the CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Monitoring, collecting, and evaluating news coverage of education and related issues by print, online, and broadcast outlets and among education stakeholders through social media networks.
• Monitoring and analyzing current events, public opinion, and press; identifying issues and trends; and advising management on appropriate action/responses.
• Collecting, reviewing, and analyzing education material regarding policy and other educational initiatives undertaken by the State Superintendent and the CDE for purposes of providing information to the public and media representatives.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

TELEWORK OPTION

Hybrid: This position is headquartered in Sacramento and may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule for eligible applicants residing in California. A hybrid telework schedule includes working remotely and physically reporting to the office.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-437962
Position #(s):
174-410-5601-003
Working Title:
Information Officer I
Classification:
INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)
$5,684.00 - $7,114.00 A
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Communications Division

Department Information

The California Department of Education (CDE) oversees the state's diverse and dynamic public school system, which is responsible for the education of more than six million children and young adults in more than 10,000 schools with 295,000 teachers. The CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are responsible for enforcing education law and regulations; and for continuing to reform and improve public elementary school programs, secondary school programs, adult education, some preschool programs, and child care programs. The CDE's mission is to provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The CDE serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners, preparing students to live, work, and thrive in a highly connected world.

http://www.cde.ca.gov/

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 7/8/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Education
Attn: C&P PC 3623 /JC 437962
1430 N Street, Ste. 1802
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Education
Attn: C&P PC 3623 /JC 437962
1430 N Street (Lobby Drop-Off Box)
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Interested individuals MUST submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) with their application. Resumes, letters, and other materials do not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ should have a title of “Statement of Qualifications, Your Name,” be no more than 2 pages, no smaller than 12-point font, and address the following:

    1. Please share your work experience pertaining to written communication especially as it pertains to communicating about schools.

    2. Describe an experience that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What were the challenges and results?

    3. Describe your experience using multimedia content, including video and social media, to tell a story and help educate the public by breaking down complex information.

    4. Describe a time when you monitored or reviewed information and detected a problem. How did you respond?
  • Other - Cover Letter is required.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Successful candidate should:
• Have strong writing, editing, researching, and listening skills, as well an ability to create multimedia.
• Be able to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Show good judgment and work independently.
• Be comfortable working with journalists and policy experts.
• Be flexible.
• Be a team player.
• Fluency in Spanish a plus, but not required; and experience in education is helpful.

Benefits

The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit. Some of these benefits include:

·         Medical benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance

·         Paid holidays: 11 paid State holidays, 1 personal paid holiday, and 2 professional development days

·         401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

·         Employee Assistance Program, and Commute Program

More benefit information can be found on CalHR’s website: Benefits Summary

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Gibran Medina
(916) 327-6156
gmedina@cde.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Dina Fong
(916) 319-0551 ext:
dfong@cde.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Randi Thompson, EEO Officer
(916) 445-9174
oeoinfo@cde.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.

Additional Application Information

  • How to Apply for state jobs: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Landing/Jobs/Steps.aspx
  • Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers Account is highly recommended.
  • Important: Make sure your contact information, i.e., address, phone number(s), etc., is current in your CalCareers Account.
  • DO NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State Application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, age, student identification number, driver license (unless required), examination results, LEAP status, and marital status.
  • Incomplete or late application packages will NOT be considered.
  • In order for experience to be considered, applications must be completed fully, including the “From” and “To” employment dates, “Hours Per Week”, employer contact information, and “Duties Performed" fields for all jobs listed in the “Employment History” (Resumes do not take the place of these fields on the STD. 678). For civil service classifications, do not use working titles.
  • If you choose to not submit electronically and are mailing or dropping off your hard copy State Application (STD. 678), please use the revised 10/2023 version.
  • If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, please include a copy of your degree or unofficial transcripts for verification. Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an academic credential evaluation.
  • Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application information once it is submitted.
  • For general information about getting a job with the state, please view the job series videos here: Work4CA:How to Get a State Job Series.

Examination Information

Individuals MUST have taken and passed an examination to obtain list eligibility for the classification in order to apply. The examination bulletin(s) may be viewed on the California Department of Education Web page at:  Open Examinations - Jobs at CDE (CA Dept of Education)

Information Officer I (Specialist):

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1275

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.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free 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.