State of Maryland

A Publications Specialist Trainee is entry level of work in the field of governmental information. Employees in this classification, under close supervision, assist in publications activities. Employees in this classification are given initial training and close supervision while preparing a variety of informational material such as news releases, the house organs, handbooks and reports, and maintaining contact with various sources of public information.  Employees in this classification, when preparing publications and publicity material, receive professional advice and consultation regarding accuracy of content from specialists in the field for which material is being prepared.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from an administrative superior or program chief who makes assignments and suggestions for the preferred media and examines the completed work for accuracy, clarity and public appeal.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Publications Specialist Trainee, Publications Specialist I and Publications Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Publications Specialist Trainee performs duties under close supervision.  The Publications Specialist I performs duties under close supervision at times and under moderate supervision at other times, depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Publications Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Assists in the preparation of articles for weekly, monthly and/or annual publication;

Assists in the publicizing of departmental activities through such media as newspaper, radio, television, lectures, films, exhibits, and printed materials;

Assists in the preparation and execution of exhibits for use locally or nationally upon request, including those for specific occasions;

Helps to prepare employee’s handbook regarding departmental activities;

Maintains files on promotional activities of the department, such as a photograph file, film file, newspaper and publicity articles and addressograph file of departmental mailing list;

May arrange for printing and publication of information;  

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of English usage and grammar;

Knowledge of the elementary principles and practice of promotions and information programs;

Knowledge of introductory editorial and printing practices and procedures;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public;

Knowledge of the facilities and media available;

Ability to assist in the initiation and execution of effective methods of presenting informational material;

Ability to prepare material effectively for press, radio and television;

Ability to write news releases for newspapers and magazines;

Ability to prepare effective editorial copy.

Experience: Four years of experience in the field of journalism, writing technical publications, public relations, or promotional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in one or more of the following fields: English, Journalism, Public Relations, Writing, Multi-Media, or Audio-visual Communications for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, not in one of the above majors, and two years of experience in the field of journalism, writing technical publications, public relations, or promotional work for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in public affairs classification or communications clerical specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical and office field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.