Staff Interpreter - Spanish Language - PDD Worcester

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Worcester, MA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking applications for a new Staff Interpreter position within the Public Defender Division (PDD) Worcester Office. This role is designed to provide essential interpreting and translating services for PDD Worcester attorneys, staff, and Spanish-speaking clients, witnesses, and other individuals. While based in the Worcester Office, the Staff Interpreter will be expected to support CPCS staff and clients throughout Worcester County and in Framingham. As a crucial part of the defense team, the Staff Interpreter must maintain strict confidentiality under the attorney-client relationship. The nature of the work may require meeting with clients and witnesses on short notice, necessitating flexibility in scheduling and availability outside of normal business hours. The Staff Interpreter will report to the Attorney in Charge of the Public Defender Division Worcester Office.

Requirements

A minimum of one year of interpreting and translating experience in the legal or similar field.
Fluent in written and speaking English and Spanish and mastery of specialized legal vocabulary for both languages.
Proven ability to provide simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and translating.
A Massachusetts Office of Language Access interpreter certification or NCSC Interpreter Certification.
A valid and active Massachusetts driver’s license and full access to a dependable automobile and a willingness to travel to a variety of locations both during and outside of normal working hours.
Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Nice To Haves

A demonstrated awareness and sensitivity of cultural differences.
Capacity to interact effectively with many kinds of individuals in a variety of settings.
Excellent listening skills and auditory recall to remember spoken words and to accurately reproduce them in the desired language.
Ability to appropriately understand and respond to culturally sensitive situations, perspectives, and phrases.
Ability to work well under pressure and in intense situations.
An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Interpreter Studies or a certificate of completion of an Interpreter Training Program may be substituted for the required experience.
A Masters’ Degree in a field of languages, preferably linguistics, translation, English or Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Providing simultaneous and consecutive interpretation services in legal subject matters.
Providing interpretation services for attorneys and other staff with Spanish speaking clients in our offices, courthouses, jails and custodial facilities.
Ensuring accurate communication between CPCS staff and clients, witnesses, etc. taking into consideration the cultural and linguistic differences.
Translating legal documents, discovery, and other materials.
Transcribing and translating 911 calls, video and audio recordings, etc.
Accompanying attorneys, social workers, investigators, or other staff in need of interpreting services to correctional facilities or other work locations.
Going into the field with investigators, attorneys, social workers, or other staff to interview clients, witnesses, etc.
Assisting CPCS staff and administration with special projects and assignments related to the field of interpreting for indigent clients.
Ability to provide interpretation services outside of normal business hours as needed.
Other duties as assigned.