The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking applications for two newly created Staff Interpreter positions. These positions will provide interpreting and translating services for Spanish speaking clients and be based in the Lawrence and Springfield Offices but will be expected to provide interpreter services to CPCS staff and clients in nearby offices as well. This temporary position is part of a pilot program with a duration of 24 months. 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.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Committee for Public Counsel Services is creating two new Staff Interpreter positions to provide interpreting and translating services for CPCS attorneys and other staff and Spanish speaking clients, witnesses, and others. 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.
This temporary position is part of a pilot program with a duration of 24 months. This is a full-time position (35 hours/week) and is benefits eligible.
The Staff Interpreter will report to the Office’s Attorney in Charge.
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 office and in court. 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