Foreign Language Interpreter

Cabarrus County•Cabarrus County, NC

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Performs intermediate paraprofessional work providing interpreting and translating services for Spanish speaking clients in a human services setting in accordance with guidelines established by the County. Work is performed under regular supervision. Interprets and translates in accordance with the National Council for Interpreters in Health Care Ethical Code. Responsible for ensuring families understand eligibility guidelines by interpreting and translating the program policies and guidelines appropriately. Participate as a neutral party in the role as conduit of information that flows between staff, patients and their families. Travels/drives to client homes accompanying social workers on home visits to provide interpreting services. Performs limited clerical duties such as typing translated documents. Receives incoming calls for Spanish speaking clients for all income maintenance programs regarding new or established cases. Gathers information from Spanish speaking clients regarding change-in-situation actions reported by phone for active cases, requests required information, and enters data into appropriate systems. Forwards more complex change-in-situation actions with required information to Eligibility Specialist IIs for determination and processing. Explains program requirements and options and advise or refer Spanish speaking clients to other programs or services as appropriate. Informs Spanish speaking clients of rights and obligations as prescribed by program policies. Responds to inquiries from Spanish speaking clients and citizens regarding benefits, application process, and/or program eligibility; provides information and assistance. Provide social workers with pertinent information gathered during Spanish applicant interviews and the process of case maintenance. Participates in ongoing training as required. Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations.

Requirements

Must be bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to speak, read, and write both languages fluently and at an equal level of proficiency
MANDATORY - MUST PASS SPANISH TRANSLATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT
Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalency and one year of experience in interpreting and translating English and the required foreign language in a setting that requires knowledge of the programs or services
Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina
Knowledge of and skill in expressive interpreting and translating methods and reverse interpreting and translating, the idiom and dialect variances of the language, and cultures
Knowledge of the ethics of interpreting and of community agencies which serve Latino/Hispanic community
General knowledge of agency and community programs and services
Skill to use a variety of office machines, computers, applicable software and typing
Acute skills in observation and listening
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with persons of varied social, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds
Ability to assess the communication (orally and written) skill level of the client in his/her own language
Ability to accurately convey the true meaning as a neutral person
Ability to maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, even in difficult situations
Ability to attend work regularly
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public

Nice To Haves

Experience with translating and interpreting human services/social services programs and services preferred
Completion of a professional interpreter training is preferred

Responsibilities

Interpreting and translating for clients (with varying dialect and educational levels) involving a variety of situations, information, and programs such as financial, educational, medical, legal, and employment working with caseworkers, child support agents, and social workers
Receiving telephone calls from Spanish speaking clients, scheduling appointments, interpreting questions from client to worker and relays answers back to client
Translates written materials including forms, correspondence, posters, flyers, and department website information from English to Spanish and vice versa
Maintaining logs, reports, and confidentiality
Performs Spanish interpreter and translation services to clients and staff for human services programs in office and on home visits ensuring information is communicated accurately and efficiently
Travels/drives to client homes accompanying social workers on home visits to provide interpreting services
Performs limited clerical duties such as typing translated documents
Receives incoming calls for Spanish speaking clients for all income maintenance programs regarding new or established cases
Gathers information from Spanish speaking clients regarding change-in-situation actions reported by phone for active cases, requests required information, and enters data into appropriate systems
Forwards more complex change-in-situation actions with required information to Eligibility Specialist IIs for determination and processing
Explains program requirements and options and advise or refer Spanish speaking clients to other programs or services as appropriate
Informs Spanish speaking clients of rights and obligations as prescribed by program policies
Responds to inquiries from Spanish speaking clients and citizens regarding benefits, application process, and/or program eligibility; provides information and assistance
Provide social workers with pertinent information gathered during Spanish applicant interviews and the process of case maintenance
Participates in ongoing training as required
Performs related tasks as required to potentially include but not limited to emergency shelter operations