King County’s Department of Public Defense is hiring for a Term-Limited Temporary Public Defense Spanish Interpreter who will perform interpretation and translation services to clients, enabling them to navigate the criminal legal system with their attorney. They perform interpretation of client/attorney jail visits and may provide sight translations as needed. This position requires in-person work with clients who are detained in the Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent).
WHY JOIN DPD?
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and inquests.
We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:
Administrative Support:
• Performs sight translation of documents that occurs when an interpreter is given a written document in one language and asked to read it aloud in another language.
• Interprets in consecutive and simultaneous modes from and into English and Spanish in a non-courtroom setting.
• Researches and understands terminology used in court and functions of the court, which may include but not be limited to legal, technological, scientific, and/or medical terminology.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records, and restricted County information.
Customer Service and Communication:
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population.
• Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD’s clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.
• Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.
• Leads two-way telephonic interpretations between attorney and client as required.
• Accurately interprets from and into English and Spanish at client/attorney jail visits, including translating both written and verbal communication.
• Provides interpretation services as required in-person and by phone interview conferences at both the King County Correctional Facility (Seattle) and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent).
• Communicates with attorney and client concerning court proceedings at all stages.
Other Functions:
• Performs other related duties as required.
The Department reserves the right to assign additional duties in support of DPD’s mission.
• Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Court interpreter certification in Spanish through the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
• Two years of experience interpreting in a legal environment.
• Familiarity with the general range of regional and cultural variations in Spanish.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• The use of proper English grammar and spelling.
• Working with diverse populations and/or emotional situations with cultural sensitivity.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques, including resourcefulness, creativity, and quick thinking.
• And skill in precise and accurate simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation, as well as knowledge of which interpreting mode is appropriate for each situation.
• Federal, state and local legislation (RCWs) pertaining to interpreters.
• court procedures, rules, regulations, and practices, including criminal case processes.
• And ability to apply principles, practices, and codes of interpreter ethics, protocol, guidelines, standards, and methodology.
ABILITY TO:
• Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness.
• Communicate effectively and fluently; speak and write in both in English and Spanish.
• Perform de-escalation techniques to clients/visitors in distress via phone and in person.
• Accurately convey meaning without editing, summarizing, adding, or omitting meaning, using correct grammar and vocabulary.
• Interpret accurately from and into English and Spanish and remain impartial, including in adversarial and emotionally charged situations.
• Work under pressure, managing multiple priorities to meet competing demands and deadlines and manage crisis situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, employees, other agenc
Location: Seattle, WA
Posted: Aug. 9, 2024, 8:24 p.m.
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