Public Defense Spanish Interpreter (TLT/SDA)

Full Job Description

King County’s Department of Public Defense (DPD) is hiring for a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) 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 visits and may provide sight translations as needed. This position requires in-person work with clients, which may include travel to different locations around King County.

Washington State offers reciprocity for court interpreters certified in other states or by federal courts. To learn more visit: Washington Courts.

WHY JOIN DPD?

The King County 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), and 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’ liberties 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.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs sight translation.
• Interprets in consecutive and simultaneous modes; in person and by phone (i.e. Interview conferences), from and into English and Spanish in all settings (courts, jails, etc.).
• 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.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records, and restricted County information.
• Demonstrate and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging with a diverse population.
• Use professional communication skills and demonstrates compassion for DPD’s clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.
• Reliably answer and return calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.
• Lead two-way telephonic interpretations between attorney and client as required.
• Accurately interpret from and into English and Spanish at client/attorney jail visits, including translating both written and verbal communication.
• Communicate 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.*

Qualifications

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 in a timely manner.

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.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a foreign language or the equivalent in study and experience.
• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.

Additional Information

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional TLT or SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months.

Assignments are anticipated to last for up to 12 months but have the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs. This position will provide services to all four divisions.

Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.

Pay Upon Special Duty Placement

Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.

To be considered for this role, submit the following document:

• Completed King County application.
• A current/chronological resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

If you have questions, please contact our recruiter, Corey Spruill, at cspruill@kingcounty.gov, or 206-492-6402.

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.

This post reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Work Schedule and Location

The Director's Office works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

Interpreters are required to report to other locations, such as court, jail facilities, hospitals/treatment centers.

The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

DPD PoliciesDPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.Union MembershipPositions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.