Language Interpreter (#RO4920)
$27.15-$33.00 Hourly / $4,706.30-$5,720.54 Monthly / $56,475.64-$68,646.50 Yearly

Under general supervision, provides interpretation/translation services for San Joaquin County clients; assists County staff in delivering services; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

An employee in this class interprets for departmental staff in various settings and situations. Incumbents must be able to perform these tasks using independent judgment on the interpretation of words with the exact or best meaning possible. The incumbent may also translate written material. The Language Interpreter classification is distinguished from the Mental Health Interpreter series in that the latter provides interpretation/translation in a medical/clinical setting and is utilized by Health Care Services Agency.

• Provide language interpretation services between departmental staff, clients and their families.
• Translates foreign language documents and correspondence received by staff from clients or partner agencies into English; translates documents from English into other foreign languages.
• Assists county personnel such as investigators, administrative staff, victim services personnel, and attorneys as requested with interviews, conversations, and discussions.
• Transcribes different forms of media such as documents, audio recordings, cameras, interviews from foreign language to English or from English to foreign language.
• Performs routine tasks related to maintaining translation records, files correspondence, and other documentation.
• May travel offsite to provide translation services, such as at community meetings or during client visits. 
• Performs other language interpretation duties as assigned, such as providing general court information at an information counter to the non-English speaking public and processes documents related to interpretation.
• Participates in trainings and staff meetings.

Experience: One year of full-time experience providing interpreting/translating services for a governmental program or public agency.

Basic word processing programs and personal computer systems; general office practice and procedures; laws applicable to the function of interpreting/translating; legal concepts and court proceedings; legal, technical terminology and slang in applicable languages; language mechanics; public relations techniques.

Communicate clearly; understand and carefully follow oral and written instruction; communicate with persons from a wide variety of ethnic and social backgrounds; interpret instructions/policies to clients or others in a comprehensive manner; learn to develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients; establish and maintain trusting relationships with the clients or others; maintain accurate records and prepare reports; maintain confidentiality; contribute and maintain the department’s mission and culture.

Mobility—Position may require sitting, standing, running, and stooping. Lifting—Frequent lifting of 5 to 30 pounds; Occasional lifting of over 30 pounds; occasional restraint, lifting/turning of heavy objects or people. Visual—Frequent need for overall vision, hand/eye coordination and reading/close up work; frequent need for color perception, depth perception and field of vision. Dexterity—Constant holding and writing; frequent reaching, grasping and repetitive motion; frequent operation of a keyboard. Hearing/Talking—Constant hearing of normal speech, telephone and radio; constant talking face to face and on the telephone. Emotional/Psychological—Frequent exposure to emergency situations, trauma, grief and death; constant public contact, decision making and concentration. Occasional weekend/night work and travel. Environmental—Constant exposure to noise, frequent exposure to dust, cold, heat and hazardous materials.