Spanish Language Access Assistant

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A state agency in Virginia is seeking a Spanish Language Access Assistant to facilitate communication for limited English proficient individuals in the judicial process. The role includes interpreting, translations, and requires strong language skills as well as familiarity with legal systems and cultural nuances.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience interpreting in a court setting.
• Proof of continuing education in court interpretation.
• Familiarity with Virginia interpreting guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide language assistance in court proceedings.
• Translate documents and communications as needed.
• Complete activity logs and project documentation.

Skills

Interpreting

Translation

Computer Skills

Cultural Awareness

Written English

Job description

Title: Spanish Language Access Assistant

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Supreme Court

Location:WINCHESTER CSC

Agency Website:WWW.VACourts.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia is seeking applicants for the position of Spanish Language Access Assistant. This position reports directly to an Interpreter Team Leader in the Department of Judicial Services, or the Foreign Language Services Coordinator in their stead. The primary obligation of the Staff Interpreter is to overcome language barriers so that limited English proficient parties will have meaningful access to justice and suffer no advantage or disadvantage as compared to English-speaking defendants and other parties to legal proceedings.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities –
Include, but are not limited to

• Interpreting using simultaneous and consecutive modes at court proceedings and rendering language assistance in any situation arising from legal cases in the courthouse or as needed by the limited English proficient public
• Translations (both sight and written)
• Collaborate and cooperate with other members of the team and share information with contract interpreters as needed
• Accurately complete daily activity logs, calendars, regular reports, or other documentation as required
• Participate in research and other projects designed to increase the scope, quality and depth of services provided by the program.
• Actively seek Court Interpreter Certification by attending classes to improve Interpreting Skills and participating in study groups with other interpreters.
• Must complete any available test needed to obtain certification.
• Support other program locations, as needed
• Other duties, as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be able to be appointed by judicial officers in program court
• Extensive, current experience interpreting in a court setting and proof of continuing education in court interpretation, translation skills a plus
• Staff interpreter experience, preferred
• Proven computer skills
• Excellent written English skills
• Must be familiar with the nuances of language, and legal systems, and cultural differences in the countries where both the source and target languages are spoken, and demonstrate continued work toward enhancing such knowledge
• Thorough knowledge of Virginia interpreting guidelines and canons of professional conduct

Additional Considerations

Position may require some travel.

Conflict of Interest
• As this is a salaried position, the successful candidate and any business or corporation in which they materially participate may not undertake to bill separately for services provided to the Office of the Executive Secretary
from the date of full-time employment.
• From the date of employment, successful candidates must discontinue any on-going business relationship(s) with regular parties to cases in the venues where the interpreter will be providing service.
• Judicial System employees are governed by the Rules of Conduct. A successful candidate would have no existing conflicts of interest at the date of hire. A conflict of interests arises when an employee knows that he, she, or a family or household member might be so personally or financially affected by a matter that a reasonable person with knowledge of relevant facts would question the employee’s ability properly to perform official duties in an impartial manner.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Daisy Duitsman

Phone: No Calls

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.