Hearings Interpreter

State of Maryland • Baltimore City, MD

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission seeks to secure the equitable and timely administration of the Maryland Workers' Compensation law. The Commission provides an efficient forum for the resolution of individual claims, envisioning a state where injured workers and employers are empowered to create an equitable partnership for prompt and fair resolution. The agency plays a vital role in fulfilling its mission and providing services to constituents at a high level. This position is responsible for providing verbal interpretation in Spanish for non-English speaking claimants during Workers' Compensation hearings, ensuring accurate and clear communication between all parties involved. Additionally, the role involves translating Workers' Compensation-related documents from Spanish to English and providing administrative support to the Interpreter Program Officer.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Three years of experience providing formal interpretation and translation services between English and a second language.
• Formal interpretation services may include documented work as a volunteer interpreter for a nonprofit, human service or faith-based organization.
• Candidates may substitute courses from an accredited college or university, on a year-for-year basis, for up to two years of the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute additional experience interpreting and translating between English and a second language for the required education.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in interpreter/translator classification or interpreter/translator specialty codes in the foreign affairs field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

• One year experience with the simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of testimony, questions and responses during legal proceedings
• Certified Court Interpreter designated by the Maryland Judiciary Administrative Office of the Courts

Responsibilities

• Provide verbal interpretation in Spanish for non-English speaking claimants during Workers' Compensation hearings.
• Provide verbal interpretation between spoken English and Spanish in both consecutive and simultaneous modes.
• Ensure accurate and clear communication between claimants, legal representatives, and hearing officers while adhering to Workers' Compensation rules and regulations.
• Translate Workers' Compensation-related documents from Spanish to English for claimants, ensuring accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and integrity of the original content.
• Assist the Interpreter Program Officer (IPO) by helping to reschedule or reorganize interpreter schedules as needed.
• Coordinate with team members to ensure interpreter availability for hearings and address any unforeseen schedule changes.
• Works with attorneys, Commissioners, Commission staff and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth communication in hearings.
• Preserves the meaning, tone, and intent of the original message without bias or personal influence.
• Adheres to ethical standards of interpretation and confidentiality, ensuring impartiality and discretion in sensitive legal matters.
• Translating written documents, including WCC forms, claim forms, and other related materials.
• Converts written documents, unrepresented forms, or legal materials from English to Spanish and vice versa while ensuring accuracy and clarity.
• Responding to phone and email inquiries from Spanish-speaking individuals regarding hearings and other related WCC services.
• Assists in monitoring other interpreter activities and reporting inconsistencies to the appropriate Commission staff.

Benefits

• Subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents (contractual employees working 30+ hours/week may be eligible).
• Dental coverage (employee pays full premium).
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance (employee pays full premium).
• Life insurance (employee pays full premium).
• Leave granted at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year (for contractual employees).

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED