Hearings Interpreter

State of Maryland • Baltimore City, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission seeks to secure the equitable and timely administration of the provisions of the Maryland Workers' Compensation law on behalf of its customer, the injured workers, and their employers, by providing an efficient forum for the resolution of individual claims. The Workers' Compensation Commission envisions a state wherein injured workers and employers are empowered to create an equitable partnership to facilitate prompt and fair resolution of workers' compensation matters. Together we profoundly touch the lives of so many people and have enormous responsibility to the community by fulfilling our mission of securing equitable and timely administration of the law. The Commission continues to provide services to our constituent partners at a level rarely met throughout the United States. The professionalism, work ethic, and technological acumen manifest in our operations allows us to smoothly and effectively manage the challenges which invariably arise. Every division within the agency plays a vital role in keeping us in the forefront nationally. This position is at GRADE 13 and located at 10 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

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.
• One year experience providing formal interpretation and translation services must have been between English and Spanish
• One year experience providing interpretation services in a legal setting or environment.

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.
• Provides verbal interpretation between spoken English and Spanish in both consecutive (speaker pauses for interpretation) and simultaneous (interpretation happens in real-time without pauses) 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.
• Ensure translations are accurate, culturally appropriate, and maintain the 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.
• Provides verbal Spanish interpretation and translation services in various hearing settings, interpreting between spoken English and Spanish in both consecutive and simultaneous modes for administrative and legal proceedings at the Commission.
• 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 for 75% subsidy).
• Option to enroll in dental coverage (full premium paid by employee).
• Option to enroll in accidental death and dismemberment insurance (full premium paid by employee).
• Option to enroll in life insurance (full premium paid by employee).
• 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

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED