Foreign Language Interpreter II - 122900632

Cumberland County•1225 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide both written and spoken Spanish Language interpreter services to support the job tasks of the staff of the Department of Social services. Although the majority of work time is spent within the DSS facilities, employee may assist during customer home visits and visits to customer places of employment in support of this agency’s mission. This position requires interacting with multiple staff members and customers on a daily basis. This position is required to translate documents, forms and educational / informational literature from English to Spanish, and Spanish to English, as well as interpreter services during telephone calls to and from Spanish speaking customers. This position is also responsible for mailing correspondence to Spanish speaking customers regarding agency matters, missed appointments, outreach activities and other correspondence deemed necessary by the DSS staff. This position will perform other duties as assigned to include duties related to emergency and/or disaster situations as needed. Public contact: (90%): Interpreter has daily face-to-face and telephonic contact with agency customers, the general public, human service agencies, and ‘State’ and Local government employees. This employee provides services in the following areas: Provide interpretation services for DSS customers, during home visits with customers and during outreach activities. Assist with interviewing of customers who are applying for services; may assist with completion of application forms as required. Provide interpreter services in support of clerical staff to help determine what assistance is being requested / needed by customers. Contact customers by phone or mail to give information and instructions from DSS staff. Greet public arriving in agency, escort customers to their destinations and assist them with return appointments. Composition: (5%): Compose and type letters, memorandums, reports and other correspondence to customers based on both verbal and written instructions from supervisor and agency staff. Assist in the composition and typing of policy / procedures, in support of those customers who are Limited in their English proficiency, following established outline(s) for Cumberland County DSS policy and Procedures Manual. Translate, and type, correspondence from English to Spanish (letters, forms, schedules, educational materials, etc.) to assist Limited English proficient Hispanic speaking customers understand services provided and instructions given. Translate correspondence from Spanish to English so that documents can be acted upon by staff. Develop Spanish Language correspondence, brochures, public announcements, etc as requested, directed by management and staff. Records and Reports: (1%): Establish and maintain an interpreter appointment log to document all phone calls, correspondence, appointments (scheduled and unscheduled) and any other contact with customers. Files: (1%): Required to keep and electronic record of all interpreter contacts. These files must be retrievable by date, customer name and case worker name. Mail: (1%): This employee is required to send correspondence to other agencies and to agency Spanish Speaking customers as required. Other: (1%): This position provides a full range of Spanish linguistic support activities necessary for the effective management and delivery of services to our Limited English Proficient Hispanic customer. This employee must be able to work under pressure with numerous deadlines and interruptions and must be able to handle multiple requests and tasks without losing sight of daily priorities and schedules; recurring sources of stress on the job include noise from disruptive children, dealing with frustrated and belligerent customers while working in a fast paced environment, and, as required, working in support of disaster conditions. This employee must be able to arrange and prioritize duties to meet specific program deadlines and crisis intervention situations that require a Spanish Language translator; examples are domestic violence and child abuse and neglect situations. Required to attend meetings, workshops, training and conferences as needed. Required to conduct periodic outreach sessions with the Spanish speaking community. Office equipment Operation: (1%): Must be proficient in the operation and use of both desk top and Lap top computers. A personal computer with Microsoft Office software is used to type letters and correspondence. A fax machine is used for sending and receiving correspondence from other agencies Meridian phone system, accessing mailbox, recording personal greetings, playing messages, composing messages, transferring calls, forwarding calls, etc. Supervision: (0%): None Exercised

Requirements

Graduation from high school or GED.
Two years of experience in interpreting and translating English and Spanish in a setting that requires knowledge of the programs or services.
Demonstrates fluency and skill necessary to meet the needs of the organization and client populations served.
Equivalent combination of training and experience.
Accurate interpreting and translation skills, both consecutive and simultaneous.
Ability to translate documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
Ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with a demanding public.
High level of language knowledge in both English and Spanish (oral and written).
Understanding of medical terminology and concepts.
Ability to recognize and respect cultural differences and provide culturally appropriate services.
Ability to use courtesy and tact in performing public contact and communications duties that may be sensitive in nature.
Significant knowledge of and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and office terminology to compose and/or proof-read correspondence, reports, and other materials.
Ability to learn and independently apply laws, departmental rules, and regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with agency personnel, officials, and the general public.
Proficiency in the operation and use of both desktop and laptop computers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
Proficiency in operating a fax machine.
Proficiency in operating a Meridian phone system.
Must be tested for the use of drugs.
Law enforcement background check is required.
Willingness to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
Adherence to the Cumberland County Department of Social Services dress code policy, including guidelines on tattoos and body piercing.

Nice To Haves

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Responsibilities

Provide written and spoken Spanish Language interpreter services.
Translate documents, forms, and educational/informational literature from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
Provide interpreter services during telephone calls to and from Spanish-speaking customers.
Mail correspondence to Spanish-speaking customers regarding agency matters, missed appointments, outreach activities, and other necessary correspondence.
Assist during customer home visits and visits to customer places of employment.
Assist with interviewing customers applying for services and potentially assist with completion of application forms.
Provide interpreter services to support clerical staff in determining customer needs.
Contact customers by phone or mail to provide information and instructions from DSS staff.
Greet the public, escort customers, and assist with return appointments.
Compose and type letters, memorandums, reports, and other correspondence.
Assist in the composition and typing of policy/procedures.
Develop Spanish Language correspondence, brochures, and public announcements.
Establish and maintain an interpreter appointment log.
Keep an electronic record of all interpreter contacts.
Send correspondence to other agencies and agency Spanish-speaking customers.
Work under pressure with deadlines and interruptions, handling multiple requests and tasks.
Handle crisis intervention situations requiring a Spanish Language translator (e.g., domestic violence, child abuse and neglect).
Attend meetings, workshops, training, and conferences as needed.
Conduct periodic outreach sessions with the Spanish-speaking community.
Operate and use desktop and laptop computers, including Microsoft Office software.
Operate a fax machine.
Operate a Meridian phone system, including accessing mailboxes, recording greetings, playing messages, composing messages, transferring calls, and forwarding calls.