Interpreter/Translator

Overview

The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a Spanish Language Interpreter with a commitment to public defense to join our Operations Team. 

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.   

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.   

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.   

We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.   

 Administration 

The Administration Department assists our dedicated staff of attorneys, advocates and social workers to maximize efficiency within the organization. The work of our department is meant to help advance the needs of our clients and facilitate the process by which their legal teams support them and advocate for them to reach their goals.  

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Managing Director of Administration, the Interpreter/Translator will work with attorneys, advocates and community members to provide interpretation and translation services and facilitate communication between clients and their legal defense teams. The Interpreter/Translator will be based at The Bronx Defenders Justice Campus and will be tasked with verbal interpretation, translating written documents and transcribing video/audio statements.  

• Transcribe, interpret, and translate conversations in-person, via video, and phone 

• Provide translation and interpretation services within our office as well as a variety of other external spaces, including courts, jails, hospitals, treatment programs and home visits where advocates may require interpretation and translation support to communicate effectively with clients 

• Provide translation of documents via print and virtual platforms 

• Provide affidavits of service to confirm ability to translate from original source to the target language 

• Certify translation through court testimony  

• Assist in maintaining an in-house glossary of slang and colloquialisms in various Spanish regional dialects 

Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must have: 

• Spanish Fluency 

• Minimum of two years of experience doing translation work 

 Candidates must demonstrate: 

• Commitment to supporting the defense of racially and ethnically marginalized people navigating carceral systems 

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences  

• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with lawyers and non-lawyers 

• Excellent Spanish and English verbal and written communication skills 

• Skilled in multitasking, juggling priorities and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment  

• Meticulous attention to detail 

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly 

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters 

Preferred but not required with all relevant certification fees paid by The Bronx Defenders: 

• American Translation Association Certification  

• Certifications in Spanish/English translation such as The Administrative Office's or the Certified Translation Professional (CTP) designation sponsored by the Global Translation Institute (GTI) 

• Language skills beyond Spanish and English 

• Prior experience translating in a legal setting 

This is a fully in-person position that requires in-office work as well as fieldwork in the community.  

Salary is commensurate with experience.  For candidates with 1-4 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be approximately $71,500 to $74,500. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.  

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.    

This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime, whereas exempt employees are not. 

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and cover letter in one document. Your cover letter should share why you want to do this work at our office, as well as some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should therefore include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.   

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family, and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we serve.  

Salary : $71,500 - $74,500