State of Maryland

An Interviewer/Translator is the full performance level of work interpreting between spoken English and another language in both consecutive and simultaneous modes in a variety of settings in local health departments or State facilities.  Employees in this classification interview clients in need of State services and produce translations between English and another language in a variety of forms, documents, reports, and correspondence.  Employees in this classification interpret and translate with a high degree of accuracy as these interactions could cause misinterpretations or mistranslations with adverse consequences.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a health professional, administrator or program-level manager.  The work may require that employees travel off-site to provide translation services, such as community fairs or home visitations.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria defined in the Nature of Work and Example of Work sections of the class specification.

Interprets and translates in both consecutive and simultaneous modes from English to another language for clients and agency staff;

Interviews clients in need of State services either in person or via telephone and interprets and translates verbal information;

Translates informational brochures, flyers, pamphlets or other written materials from English to another language;

Interprets and translates a variety of information, such as medical or financial information, for clients and agency staff;

Communicates services provided by agency to non-English speaking members of the community either in person or via telephone;

Distributes translated materials to clients, staff and the public;

May provide basic informational sessions to non-English speaking groups;

May create non-English material for agency’s web-site;

May access English and non-English electronic and hardcopy records or files as necessary;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the interpretation and translation between English and another language;

Skill in interpreting between spoken English and another language in both consecutive and simultaneous modes;

Skill in producing translation between written English and another language of a variety of forms, documents, reports and correspondences;

Skill in communicating effectively with diverse populations;

Ability to speak a second language;

Ability to interpret information accurately;

Ability to interview clients to gather information regarding eligibility for State services;

Ability to ensure confidentiality of information, such as client medical or financial information.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Six months of experience providing formal interpretation and translation services between English and a second language.  Formal interpretation services may include documented work as a volunteer interpreter for a nonprofit, human service or faith-based organization.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience interpreting and translating between English and a second language on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Linguist or Language Capability classifications or Linguist or Language Capability specialty codes in the Linguistic field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B-Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.