Job Description

The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking applications for a Staff Interpreter position in the Worcester Office of the Public Defender Division. This position will provide interpreting and translating services for Spanish speaking clients and be based in the Worcester Office but will be expected to provide interpreter services throughout Worcester County and in Framingham. This is a full-time position (35 hours/week) and is benefits eligible.

We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Our Values

Courage • Accountability • Respect • Excellence

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility of each member of the CPCS community.

AGENCY OVERVIEW

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The clients we represent are diverse across every context imaginable and bring many unique cultural dimensions to the matters we address. This reality creates a critical need for CPCS staff to be culturally competent and able to work well with people of different races, ethnicities, genders and/or sexual orientation identities, abilities, and limited English proficiency, among other protected characteristics.

OFFICE OVERVIEW

The Public Defender Division of CPCS, Worcester Office is located in downtown Worcester, a five-time recipient of the All-American City Award. It is New England’s second largest city and combines the historic charm of a small town with the conveniences of a thriving metropolis. With more than 70 cultural venues, including world-class museums, concert halls, theaters, renowned breweries, and over 100 local restaurants, it also provides a central location from which to visit all of New England, located 45 minutes from both Boston and Rhode Island.

The Committee for Public Counsel Services is creating a new Staff Interpreter position to provide interpreting and translating services for PDD Worcester attorneys and other staff and Spanish speaking clients, witnesses, and others. This position will be based in the Worcester Office but will be expected to support CPCS staff and clients throughout Worcester County and in Framingham. The Staff Interpreter is part of the defense team and must adhere to the rules of confidentiality under the attorney-client relationship.

Due to the nature of the work, there will be times when the Staff Interpreter is required to meet with clients and witnesses on short notice and there is an expectation that the Staff Interpreter is flexible with their schedule and available to meet outside of normal business hours.

The Staff Interpreter will report to the Public Defender Division Worcester Office’s Attorney in Charge.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate must have:

• A minimum of one year of interpreting and translating experience in the legal or similar field;
• Fluent in written and speaking English and Spanish and mastery of specialized legal vocabulary for both languages;
• Proven ability to provide simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and translating;
• A Massachusetts Office of Language Access interpreter certification or NCSC Interpreter Certification;
• A valid and active Massachusetts driver’s license and full access to a dependable automobile and a willingness to travel to a variety of locations both during and outside of normal working hours; and,
• Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Interpreter Studies or a certificate of completion of an Interpreter Training Program may be substituted for the required experience.

A Masters’ Degree in a field of languages, preferably linguistics, translation, English or Spanish preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

The following attributes are preferred in a successful candidate:

• A demonstrated awareness and sensitivity of cultural differences;
• Capacity to interact effectively with many kinds of individuals in a variety of settings;
• Excellent listening skills and auditory recall to remember spoken words and to accurately reproduce them in the desired language;
• Ability to appropriately understand and respond to culturally sensitive situations, perspectives, and phrases; and,
• Ability to work well under pressure and in intense situations.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of a Staff Interpreter include, but are not limited to:

• Providing simultaneous and consecutive interpretation services in legal subject matters;
• Providing interpretation services for attorneys and other staff with Spanish speaking clients in our offices, courthouses, jails and custodial facilities. Any and all interpreting services will be rendered only in the presence of a CPCS attorney, social worker, investigator, or any other CPCS employee representing clients;
• Ensuring accurate communication between CPCS staff and clients, witnesses, etc. taking into consideration the cultural and linguistic differences;
• Translating and translating legal documents, discovery, and other materials;
• Transcribing and translating 911 calls, video and audio recordings, etc;
• Accompanying attorneys, social workers, investigators, or other staff in need of interpreting services to correctional facilities or other work locations;
• Going into the field with investigators, attorneys, social workers, or other staff to interview clients, witnesses, etc;
• Assisting CPCS staff and administration with special projects and assignments related to the field of interpreting for indigent clients;
• Ability to provide interpretation services outside of normal business hours as needed; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state statutes and organizational policies. Applicants who have questions about equal employment opportunity or who need reasonable accommodations can contact the Chief Human Resources Officer, Sandra DeBow-Huang, at sdebow@publiccounsel.net.