This is supervisory public relations work with responsibility for supervising assigned public information programs as part of the City's municipal airport's public relations effort. Employees in this class supervise either the airport's information booth or bilingual receptionists program, involving the dissemination of pertinent information to the traveling public. Employees perform a variety of public relations work in addition to program supervision, such as participating in developing concepts for airport informational and promotional programs, arranging media coverage for promotional events, and preparing informative and promotional written materials. Work involves extensive contact with the general public, departmental, tenant and airline employees and the media. Work is performed under the direction of an Airport Public Relations Manager.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:
(The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• The position must be responsible for directing either the Airport's Information Booth or Bilingual Receptionist Program.
• The position must perform a variety of professional public relations assignments.
• The position must report to the Airport Public Relations Manager.

• Supervises assigned public information programs encompassing subordinate staff; plans, assigns, and reviews the activities of employees engaged in information and referral services as part of either the Airport's information booth or bilingual receptionist programs; monitors and/or does the preparation and revising of work schedules to ensure adequate coverage; develops, monitors, and performs the orientation and training of new employees; interviews prospective receptionists and makes selection decisions; identifies and initiates disciplinary action when required.
• Participates in developing concepts for airport informational and promotional programs; prepares news releases and articles for publication of informational and promotional materials; arranges for newspaper, television, and radio coverage of airport events and activities as assigned; serves as media contact person at the airport in the absence of superior; provides information to the press on airport operations, including any emergencies; arranges special events at the airport; confers with groups planning to hold conferences or events at the airport to obtain their itinerary and their needs for the occasion; coordinates services for events with other airport units; arranges for photography and audio-visual activities for the production of promotional items.
• Receives complaints from airport passengers, tenants, airline personnel, or the general public either through letters or complaint forms; reviews the nature of the complaint; identifies the problem by contacting individuals in the airport or airline and tenant personnel; assesses the validity of the complaint and inquires about corrective action; notifies superiors on the nature of the problem; prepares a response to complainants, either describing the reason for the problem or assuring individuals the problem will be corrected; may submit letter to superior, including the director, for approval and signature.
• Directs activities for services to distressed passengers whose flights have been canceled due to inclement weather or emergency conditions; ensures arrangements are made for the accommodation of distressed passengers; supervises receptionists providing distressed passengers with food, blankets, pillows, and entertainment books, and information about their flight situation; ensures materials and supplies are always on-hand in the event of possible inclement weather or emergency conditions.
• Receives requests from businesses, convention bureaus, and public representatives for tours of the airport; schedules tours for specific dates with requestors; arranges for speakers at tours to provide tour groups with certain types of information depending on the type of individuals at the tour; conducts tours personally.
• Plans, assigns and reviews the activities of employees engaged in providing information and referral services to airport passengers and visitors; prepares and revises work schedules to ensure adequate coverage; orients and trains new employees; provides information and referral services as required.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling.
• airport operations, facilities and services.
• public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational and promotional materials.
• the practices and techniques used in writing promotional and informational material.
• research techniques used to collect data for informational, promotional, and program improvement purposes.
• training principles and practices.

ABILITY TO:

• supervise employees engaged in providing information and referral services.
• plan, organize, and direct volunteer services and tour programs.
• evaluate written materials from the standpoint of the reader.
• recruit, train, and assign subordinates engaged in conducting information and referral services.
• communicate and present information effectively, both verbally and in writing, to employees, individuals, the media, and various groups.
• write and edit news releases.
• establish and maintain effective and harmonious relationships with associates, government and civic officials, media representatives, educational representatives and the general public.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, English, education, advertising or a related field.

• Two years of full time paid experience in public relations or airport operations work involving public contact in providing airport and travel information to passengers and other visitors in a large metropolitan airport.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP18
Class Established: 6/1990

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 4/1996 ; Ad Board - 5/1996

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