Positions at this level plan, organize, direct and control an extensive communications and/or public relations program. Positions develop information and/or public relations strategy for a program which typically includes impacts of legislative initiatives and directives and public reactions. Positions at this level may include services for translating communications and publications from English to the appropriate target language.

Translates brochures, correspondence, technical and legal documents, laws, regulations, policies and procedures, flyers, forms, letters, memoranda, and publications written in English into an appropriate target language such as Spanish, Chinese, Cambodian, Laotian, or Vietnamese;

Consults with lawyers, physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, support enforcement officers and other subject matter experts to make certain that documents have not lost meaning in translation;

Reviews, edits and proofreads translated material to ensure accurate translations of text; ensures appropriateness for final typing, printing and/or publication;

Provides information about the target language and culture in which the language is spoken to the originators of documents to be translated; translates concepts that do not exist in the target language and the culture in which the target language is spoken;

Plans, coordinates and directs collection, preparation and dissemination of all informational materials to mass news media; directs preparation of biennial and special reports, brochures, pamphlets, motion picture films, television and radio presentations;

Serves as spokesperson to news media and the general public; advises administrators regarding public reaction to proposed programs and policies;

Analyzes extent of public understanding of programs administered by department; determines need and type of information and education programs; establishes objectives of information program; evaluates effectiveness of information and public relations activities and recommends changes as warranted;

Organizes and conducts meetings, workshops and seminars; promotes knowledge of and use of department services;

May supervise lower level staff;

Performs other duties as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Positions typically require a Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field and three years of writing/editing/translating experience; or equivalent education/experience.

New class effective January 1, 2006; Communications Consultant 4 (replaces 32386 Language Specialist, 26340 Public Information Officer 3).
General revisions, housekeeping only: Revises typical work to remove missing children’s clearinghouse statements (moved to Program Specialist 4) effective May 4, 2009.
Revised typical work, adopted June 13, 2019; effective July 1, 2019.
Revised typical work, adopted June 22, 2023; effective July 1, 2023.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.