Communications Aide/Bilingual

General Description

This is a staff position in the Bureau of Communications responsible for monitoring and/or researching Freedom of Information requests submitted to the City. Employees of this class may also assist in coordinating, preparing or editing public information materials both in English and Spanish. The employee works under the general supervision of the Director. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of employees in this class. Performs related work as required.

Under the NY HELPS Program, the Civil Service Exam for this title has been waived. For additional information regarding the NY HELPS Program, please visit: https://www.cs.ny.gov/help/faq.cfm

CITY RESIDENCY WILL BE REQUIRED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF HIRE.

Typical Work Activities

• Collects and organizes data for a variety of purposes, such as responding to Records Access Requests, preparation of status reports, new releases, briefing papers and speeches, website pages or other public information formats;
• Gathers information from and provides information to Bureau staff, City departments, and the general public, as needed;
• Processes applications for records access, under the Freedom of Information Law, from the general public;
• May prepare a variety of written material, both in English and Spanish, for the Bureau, such as monthly reports on status of Records Access Requests, new releases, briefing papers and speeches, website pages or other public information formats;
• May assist in the preparation of the Bureau's operating budget (e.g., making budget estimates based on Bureau performance indicators of the previous year);
• May edit and proofread written copy;
• Maintains and updates computer files for a variety of purposes;
• May coordinate projects and work produced by clerical and/or technical personnel;
• Maintains confidentiality of records when needed as part of the Records Access process.

Minimum Qualifications

A. Bachelor's degree in English, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or closely related field;

OR

B. Bachelor's degree AND one (1) year full-time experience or its part-time equivalent of public contact work which involved providing written information;

OR

C. Associate's degree A****ND two (2) years of experience as described in B) above;

OR

D. High school diploma or G.E.D. AND four (4) years of experience as described in B) above.

For full-time employees:

The City of Rochester offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

For less-than full-time employees:

The City of Rochester offers numerous growth opportunities to include the potential to transition into full-time, permanent employment.