Interpreter (Spanish)-Emergency Appointment​/Homeless Initiative

Position: INTERPRETER (SPANISH)-EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT/HOMELESS INITIATIVE
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We welcome applications from anyone.

FILING DATES:

The application filing period will begin on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

EXAM NUMBER:

L1154D-EA

REPOSTING INFORMATION:

This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing period.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and hardworking individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County's homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County's jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing.

The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.

POSITION INFORMATION:

The Interpreter position requires fluency in both English and a foreign language to perform interpretation (spoken word) and translation (written text) services to meet the legal and public needs of the clients of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office under the general supervision of a Management Secretary V and perform related duties and routine clerical tasks as necessary.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Interpreter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO:

* Interpreting or translating idiomatic expressions and literal information to and from English to Spanish on behalf of Public Defender staff and clients in person at various locations by phone, remotely, or virtually to discuss or obtain updates or information related to their case.

* Transcribing audio or video recordings and translating non-English conversations from voicemails, electronic text messages, and emails of clients and witnesses to support the work of attorney staff on their assigned cases.

* Translating legal documents for clients; translating and interpreting written and typed case-related documents submitted by the clients to attorneys; and providing typed translations from English to the foreign language issued by the attorneys to their clients.

* Receiving telephone calls from clients and clients' relatives and/or friends; and accurately documenting the information to convey to the assigned attorney and/or legal support staff.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Six months of experience in interpreting and translating
* from English to Spanish.

LICENSE:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

You MUST meet the above requirements in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

* Experience in translating is defined as converting text from a source language into a target language. In contrast, experience in interpreting is defined as working with the spoken word, converting speech from a source language into a target language. Required experience in translating and interpreting is in law, criminal defense, or criminal justice. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject and its terminology in…