COMMUNITY INTERPRETER, BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH

Definition

Under direction in a nonjudicial environment, such as a community setting, doctor's office, hospital, school, administrative or social service agency, acts as the communicator between two parties when one party cannot effectively communicate in English, by interpreting from English into Spanish and from Spanish into English; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• (These examples of work are to be performed by utilizing English and Spanish as required.)
• Interprets in the consecutive or simultaneous modes according to the needs of the situation.
• Executes the interpretation or translation accurately to the closest natural equivalent of the message without embellishment, omission, or explanation.
• Requests that speakers repeat or rephrase a statement when they are unclear.
• Accompanies Investigators, caseworkers, or other office staff on field visits.
• Attends hearings for purpose of providing interpreting services between client, worker, and hearing officer.
• Communicates with those who are not knowledgeable of both English and Spanish.
• Operates interpreting equipment when performing simultaneous interpreting at proceedings.
• Collects, interprets, and analyzes data for the computation and submission of statistical records and reports regarding interpreting services delivered.
• Coordinates free-lance interpreting services for the agency.
• Attends training to maintain and improve professional interpreting and translating skills.
• Proofreads documents translated by outside sources for accuracy.
• Logs all documents into manual or computerized record system.
• Maintains records of interpreting and translating activities.
• Translates, as needed, forms, documents, notices, and correspondence from English to Spanish and vice versa.
• Composes letters, documents, or other materials for publication in Spanish concerning the activities of the agency.
• Prepares reports.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience as an interpreter performing consecutive or simultaneous translations into or from Spanish; or completion of a course of study in interpreter training from an accredited college or university.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the Code of Conduct for Interpreters, Transliterators, and Translators and the Standards for Interpreted Proceedings.
• Knowledge of the phonology, vocabulary, grammar, terminology, and dialectology of English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of the theory, methods, techniques, ethics, and standards of interpreting and translating.
• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in interpreting in the sight, simultaneous, and consecutive modes.
• Ability to understand Spanish speaking cultures.
• Ability to translate forms, letters, and other agency related documents from English into Spanish or from Spanish into English.
• Ability to interpret in sight, consecutive, or simultaneous modes for proceedings, interviews, or other communicative events.
• Ability to learn to operate interpreting equipment while performing simultaneous interpreting at proceedings.
• Ability to keep records and files.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English and Spanish sufficiently to perform duties of this position.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.