Foreign Language Interpreter II - 122900632

Cumberland-County,-Nc; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services in Fayetteville, NC is seeking a bilingual Spanish interpreter to support staff by providing written and spoken interpretation, translating documents, and assisting during home visits and outreach activities.

The position requires frequent contact with customers and staff, the ability to handle sensitive information, and the capacity to manage multiple tasks under deadlines, including disaster response as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• Ability to translate documents accurately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide Spanish language interpretation for DSS staff during appointments, calls and outreach.
• Translate and type correspondence, forms and educational materials.
• Assist with interviewing applicants and supporting clerical tasks.
• Support outreach and home visits as needed and communicate with Spanish-speaking customers.

Skills

Spanish language proficiency

Interpretation

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Open Recruitment Until Filled

Position(s) located in the Economic Services Division.

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

Graduation from high school or GED and two years of experience in interpreting and translating English and the required foreign language in a setting that requires a knowledge of the programs or services. Demonstrates fluency and skill necessary to meet the needs of the organization and client populations served; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Accurate interpreting and translation skills, both consecutive and simultaneous

• The ability to translate documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
• The ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with a demanding public
• a high level of language knowledge in both English and in Spanish (oral and written) including an understanding of medical terminology and concepts.
• The 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 the ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary, spelling and office terminology to compose and / or proof-read correspondence, reports, and other materials.
• The ability to learn and independently apply laws, departmental rules, and regulations in the performance of assigned duties.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with agency, personnel, officials and the general public.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The selected applicant will be subject to the following conditions prior to appointment. Failure to complete or fulfill these conditions may result in dismissal.

Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or a confirmed positive test shall be a basis for withdrawal of the conditional employment offer.

Law enforcement background check is required.

This position will require assisting in emergency and/or disaster situations.

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services has a dress code policy that must be adhered to. This policy includes specific guidelines related tattoos and body piercing.

College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Prior to employment start date, an official transcript must be presented in its original unopened envelope.

MISSION

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services stands united to strengthen individuals and families and to protect children and vulnerable adults. We collaborate with our community partners to provide programs and services which engage our customers in improving their quality of life.

VISION

We envision our Department... as a catalyst for improving quality of life through teamwork, partnership, forward thinking, and cutting edge service delivery. We envision our customers...as partners, motivated and empowered to improve their quality of life.

Our Core Standards & Values

A quality customer experience, business operations and employee experience represents our three Core Standards that guide our principles and values. We have identified eight core values and validating behaviors that define our Departments: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Diversity, Innovation, Optimism, Integrity and Flexibility.