Under direction, to provide interpretation/translation services for County of Santa Clara clients.

Job specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the classification. Job specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by every incumbent.

• Provides language interpretation services between departmental staff, clients, and their families;

   

• Translates foreign language documents and correspondence received by staff from clients, employers, foreign governments, etc., into English; 

   

• Translates forms and notices from English into other languages; 

   

• Writes correspondence in a foreign language to clients as directed by staff; 

   

• Performs generic translating services for agency/departmental programs; 

   

• Performs routine tasks related to maintaining translation records;

   

• Files correspondence and other documents in alphabetical and/or numerical filing system order; 

   

• May read forms to clients and assist clients with completing the forms correctly; 

   

• May provide basic information to facilitate client understanding;

   

• May travel offsite to provide translation services, such as at community meetings or during client visits;

   

• May assist in the preparation of brochures, audio-visual materials, and written materials for non-English speaking groups;

   

• May assist in certification of bilingual employees;

   

• May assist in training other translators;

   

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

   

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and work experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through one (1) year of interpretation and translation experience in a second language.

Special Requirement 

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work.  If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

   

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help.  A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Interpretation/translation of at least one language, other than English, including intracultural literary levels, principal idioms, and slang;

   

• Program terminology in English and in a second language;

   

• Legal ramifications of interpretation/translation;

   

• Ethnic customs and cultural and religious attitudes relevant to particular non-English speaking ethnic groups;

   

• Filing in English and one other language;

   

• Vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style/format in English and at least one other language;

   

• Customer services principles, including the handling of irate and distressed people;

   

• Computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and/or database.

Ability to: 

• Speak, read, and write in English and a second language fluently;

   

• Interact with a wide range of multi-cultural and non-English speaking clients;

   

• Translate detailed program and legal information from written materials and documents;

   

• Convey sensitive or complex case management information;

   

• Communicate effectively with clients, their families, and staff;

   

• Prepare brochures, memos, other literature, and audio-visual materials relating to program policies and procedures in another language;

   

• Work under emergency or stressful situations;

   

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of professional, administrative, and support personnel.