Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience: - Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus two (2) years of related experience.
- Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years
Licenses or Certifications: Notes to Applicants
The City of Austin
Parks and Recreation Department ( PARD ) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click
HERE for more information.
The purpose of the temporary
Public Information Request Specialist position will be to, under general supervision, provide high-level research, collaboration, and support to internal stakeholders on Public Information Request submission responses and administration in a timely manner.
Application Instructions/Job Requirements: - Application: A detailed, complete application is required, and applicants must include on their Employment Record all experience (work and/or volunteer) related to this job posting - up to 10 years or more; this will be used to determine your base compensation. Employment Record dates must include month and year. Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Statements such as “See Resume” will not be accepted and a resume alone will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
- Skills Assessments: Skills assessment(s) may be required as part of the recruitment process.
- Virtual Interviews: PARD may conduct virtual interviews.
- Military/Veteran: An applicant claiming Military/Veteran status must provide a copy of his or her DD-214(s), or valid comparable document, at the time of interview.
- Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Must be physically and mentally able to communicate, respond, and work with participant’s needs and safety issues.
Other Information: - Posting Guidelines: PARD reserves the right to close posted positions prior to the advertised close date, based on recruitment strategies and business needs. This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other divisions/work locations within the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Decisions on assigned selection will be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
- Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
- Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: PARD work site locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any PARD work site - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicles located on the premises.
Pay Range
$30.00 per hour
Hours
Work Location/Schedule: - Monday - Friday on-site (20 hours per week). At this time, teleworking is not an option for this position.
- May be required to work during special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
- Work schedule and location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.
- May be required to work during city emergencies such as extreme weather events.
Job Close Date 07/24/2024 Type of Posting External Department Parks and Recreation Regular/Temporary Temporary Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location PARD Main Office - 200 South Lamar Blvd. Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience: - Knowledge and hands-on experience working with the Texas Open Records Act and processing Public Information Requests within a municipal environment.
- Experience in a high-volume deliverable environment with close attention to detail.
- Experience working with databases and other technology to track and compile information.
- Experience working with legal staff.
Preferred Skills: - Experience with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
- Experience working with Adode Acrobat Pro for document redaction.
- Experience with GovQA software.
Other:- Ability to travel to more than one work location.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.Handles public information requests, forwarding to correct divisions or departments for responses. Reviews submitted responsive information and ensures appropriate redactions are applied. Researches information as requested and needed. Coordinates with other agencies and personnel for certain aspects of mutual research or investigation on public information requests. Responds to client or customer complaints or escalates to appropriate personnel. Counsels and facilitates interventions for the prevention of errors involving department and program plans. Provides information to citizens, individually and in groups, regarding organization, operations, laws, policies, and procedures. Reviews public information reports or tracking and updates as necessary. Compiles data and writes informational reports. Produces memos, letters, reports, or other written material.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed. - Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws.
- Knowledge of public information requests including request language, terms, conditions, etc.
- Knowledge of the functions of the departmental organization to include relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
- Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
- Knowledge of City practices, policies, procedures, statutes, and ordinances.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in using computers and related software applications.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
- Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
- Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
- Skill in planning and organizing.
- Ability to exercise discretion in confidential matters
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
- Ability to train others.
- Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus two (2) years of related experience. Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
* Describe your experience in managing and processing public information requests.
(Open Ended Question)
* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook?
- No experience
- Basic: create/edit simple documents, spreadsheets, emails, & simple presentations
- Intermediate: create/edit a variety of documents & spreadsheets; reformat document features such as color, font style and size of text, change page size/width, & filter/sort data fields create a variety of presentations, & reformat individual slides
- Advanced: create/edit complex documents, spreadsheets, presentations; integrate features such as tables, charts, mathematic formulas, hyperlinks, graphics; data/mail merge, import data from one document to another create/edit complex, professional-quality
* Please indicate your level of proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro.
- No Experience.
- Basic.
- Intermediate.
- Advanced.
- Expert.
* Please note that you will be contacted if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. Once the department is no longer hiring for this position, you may receive a notification informing you the position is closed and the hiring process is concluded.
- Yes. I acknowledge and understand the statement above.
Optional & Required DocumentsRequired Documents Resume
Optional Documents
