Public Information Specialist ; Digital Content

Duties Description

The Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement’s Web Development section oversees internal digital communication tools for DEC, largely using Microsoft 365 (SharePoint/Teams/Planner/Power platform) tools. The section also provides technical support to the public website (Drupal CMS) and oversees the agency’s public-facing GIS information portals (DECinfo Locator, Environmental Resource Mapper) and other ESRI content intended for public consumption. The Web Development Section Chief provides supervision for the section, and takes the lead on digital communication enhancement/improvement projects, as they are identified.

• Supervise Web Development section staff. This includes tracking of project goals and activities by section staff, job performance plans and reviews, and oversight of staff work schedules.
• Management of special web and digital projects for the agency – high‑profile web page development, intranet management (SharePoint communication site experience preferred), digital analytics reports, etc.
• Administer DEC’s public‑facing ESRI ArcGIS communication products. This work requires collaboration with many DEC divisions and programs, as well as NYS Information Technology Services to ensure DEC’s GIS information portals (DECinfo Locator among them) are up to date and accessible, while also seeking out opportunities to improve application functionality and scope with additional data layers, as appropriate. The section chief is also responsible for promotion of DECinfo Locator, and some travel may be required for this, as presentations about the application are organized statewide.
• In addition to direct administration of DECinfo Locator, the section chief oversees the agency’s process for vetting any GIS data intended for public consumption. This includes ESRI ArcGIS Map Viewer, Experience Builder, Story Maps, Instant Apps, Survey 123, and dashboards.
• Serve as SharePoint administrator for DEC staff. Collaborate with program staff on SharePoint site planning and development, content organization, and troubleshooting.
• Administer DEC In‑Site, the agency’s intranet, which is built in Microsoft 365 SharePoint. This work includes training of staff (content providers) from all DEC divisions, regions, and programs, annual content reviews, and ensuring staff are trained in web content best practices, accessibility rules, and SharePoint functionality, as it evolves.
• Oversee Web Development Section support for DEC.ny.gov, the agency’s public website (Drupal CMS experience preferred) and the content request system (Microsoft
  365/Power Automate/Planner/Teams experience preferred).
• Manage development of agency’s online forms using Drupal, Adobe Acrobat, and NForms solutions.
• Coordinate web posting for the Environmental Notice Bulletin with program and executive staff.
• Apply style and accessibility guidelines to produce high‑quality, accurate, and accessible work in accordance with agency policies and strategies for digital communication.

Non‑competitive: seven years of experience in public relations, social media, and digital communications.

Associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, Social Media, Digital Communications, or similar degree, substitutes for two, four, or five years.

Promotion: one year of experience as a Public Information Specialist 1 (Digital Content).

• Experience supervising employees/teams.
• Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS functionality/capabilities.
• Microsoft 365 suite of software, including SharePoint, Teams, and Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps, etc.).
• Agile development experience, preferably with Drupal 11 and familiarity with Jira.

Travel may be required.

Weekends and holidays may be required.

Must be available to respond to after‑hours emergencies.

Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work‑life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’…