The work of Information Officer Grade is broadly divided into the following three streams :

(a) General Stream : News and public relations work
(b) Design : Design and artwork
(c) Photo : Photo-taking and photofinishing services

The recruitment rank for the grade is normally at Assistant Information Officer level. Appointment to IO rank and above is mainly through internal promotion. Direct recruitment will be conducted as and when necessary.

[Qualifications for IO Grade]

Scope of Work
There are dozens of varied jobs within the Department and in other departments. Officers are given the opportunity to work as many as their talents allow. This will include :

(a) News Services
Work includes issuing press releases, features, services, statements on Government policy, routine notices, weather reports and answering enquiries.

(b) Publicity
Work includes organising Government major campaigns and publicity programmes, preparing and editing publications as well as creative design and photographic work. Officers may also be required to manage the Government Home Page of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

(c) Media Research
A team of ISD staff is deployed to monitor the print and electronic media on a daily basis, recording news items, editorials and comments on Government policies, projects and plans. The team produces daily summaries of media stories to keep senior Government officials abreast of developments and publishes special reports on topical issues. It also monitors public reaction to Government policies and announcements to keep Government policy makers informed.

(d) Overseas Public Relations
Providing assistance to visiting overseas journalists. This includes giving briefings to bring them up-to-date on the latest developments, arranging programmes to give them an insight into the workings of Hong Kong through the eyes of senior Government officials and private sector and community leaders; and answering the many hundreds of questions and letters of request received overseas. A range of colour publications are produced for distribution overseas and video clips for use in promotion activities. A daily and weekly round up of overseas newspapers for Government officers.

Maintaining close liaison with news agencies and foreign correspondents based in Hong Kong, and public relations units of the Government's overseas offices.

(e) Public Relations
Most Government Departments have information units staffed by ISD officers. Secretariat Press Teams are also set up to provide professional PR support to the bureaux. The above units/teams advise department/bureau heads on public relations matters, answer press queries and questions from the public and write press releases which are issued through ISD newsroom. They also organise press conferences, special promotional projects, and other media events for their departments/bureaux. In some cases, ISD officers need to accompany department/bureau heads on trips to overseas conferences and exhibitions. Information officers are also deployed to overseas Government offices to take charge of public relation matters in the respective offices.

Training
There is regular on-the-job training for Information Grade Officers at all levels and some are selected for management or job related courses conducted in China or overseas. Besides training in the particular skills needed in ISD, staff also take general civil service courses organised by Civil Services Training & Development Institute. These include classes in management and administration.

New recruits are given a short familiarisation programme and a basic information course. Throughout their careers Information Grade Officers are given refresher courses to polish their professional skills.

Newly-appointed officers are usually posted to various sub-divisions of ISD headquarters for on-the-job training. Later, they may be moved to information units attached to other government departments to widen their experience.

Staff at all levels are transferred to different posts at appropriate intervals to maximise their range of experience.

Prospects
Working for ISD means never being stuck in a rut. There are dozens of varied jobs within the department and officers are given the opportunity to work at as many as their talents allow.

The hierarchy of the Information Officer Grade consists of :

Directorate	Directorate Pay Scale
Chief Information Officer (CIO)	Master Pay Scale 45 - 49
Principal Information Officer (PIO)	Master Pay Scale 40 - 44
Senior Information Officer (SIO)	Master Pay Scale 34 - 39
Information Officer (IO)	Master Pay Scale 28 - 33
Assistant Information Officer (AIO)	Master Pay Scale 14 - 27