Title: Spanish Language Interpreter - Prince William

State Role Title: Investig and Legal Support I

Hiring Range: $55,000.00 to $65,000.00 + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: PRINCE WILLIAM 311

Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC), a Commonwealth of Virginia Independent Agency, is dedicated to protecting and defending the rights and dignity of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Prince William Public Defender office is now accepting applications for the position of Spanish Language Interpreter. The Prince William Public Defender office is a client-centered and community embedded office that embraces core values that include respect, teamwork and trust, zealous client advocacy, courage and passion.

The qualified candidate will provide support for both attorney and non-attorney staff in the Public Defender’s office by providing translation and interpretation services in the Spanish language, in support of the mission of the office to effectively and zealously serve our Spanish speaking clients. The Spanish Language Interpreter position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Prince William Office and is employed at-will.

The Prince William Public Defender Office maintains a zealous, client-centered practice, with a caseload that consists of many Spanish-speaking clients. The Spanish Language Interpreter will play a critical role in serving our clientele and providing services in support of our mission through all phases of criminal representation. The position will assist with translation and interpretation for clients, witnesses, and members of the criminal legal system who are interacting with the Public Defender as well as providing interpretation and translation support concerning evidence, discovery or other materials that are in Spanish or that need to be translated into Spanish.

Duties may include:

• Communicating with Spanish-speaking clients and witnesses, in person and on the phone, including in the Public Defender office and at the local Adult Detention Center, Juvenile Detention Center and MESH Juvenile Shelter.
• Answering Spanish language calls and translating and processing Spanish language voicemails.
• Assisting attorneys in reviewing and interpreting discovery materials that are provided in the Spanish language, including Body Worn Camera and other video evidence.
• Assisting attorneys in preparing cases that have Spanish language components for trial.
• Interviewing potential Spanish speaking witnesses for bond, adjudicatory and sentencing hearings.
• Collecting and reviewing Spanish language records relevant to mitigation and sentencing advocacy.
• Assisting attorneys in reviewing recorded jail calls that are in Spanish.
• Timely and accurate maintenance of calendars and client files to reflect work flow and assignments.
• Other duties as assigned.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Spanish language fluency and the ability to translate and interpret.
• A strong belief in equal justice and public service is essential to success in this position.
• A valid operator’s license and transportation.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to organize, analyze and summarize complex information.
• Comfort working in a high-stress environment with challenging subject matters and a fast-paced environment and dealing with difficult and complex subject matters.
• Diligence and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a large caseload with a wide -variety of tasks.

Additional Considerations

• Certification in translation and interpretation services.
• Experience translating and interpreting in a legal setting.
• Experience and familiarity with the Prince William legal community and court system.
• Bachelor’s Degree or paralegal Certification from an ABA-accredited program.

Special Instructions

Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume. Failure to submit both may disqualify you from further consideration.

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.

While creating an account through the state system will save your basic information (please remember your username and password), applications are NOT saved for future openings. We encourage you to apply to any and all of the positions you may be considering within the IDC.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. IDC does not accept “see resume” as a response to any question. Information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

Edits cannot be made to the application once you have received a confirmation number. Phone calls are not accepted regarding an inquiry into the status of an application. Please login to the RMS system for status updates.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: 804-662-7249

Email: recruiting@vadefenders.org

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.