Legal Translator

The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home.     

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Legal Translator is responsible for accurately translating written and spoken legal materials between languages, ensuring linguistic precision, cultural relevance, and legal integrity. This role supports legal professionals by providing certified translations, interpreting communications, maintaining accurate records, and, when necessary, offering testimony in legal proceedings.

This role performs basic, supportive paralegal duties when not performing translation responsibilities.  

DUTIES:

• Produce certified translations of interviews, transcripts, recordings and other legal documents or related materials with precision and cultural sensitivity. Edit and proofread translated content for clarity, consistency, legal compliance and grammatical accuracy.

• Interpret various types of communication between District Attorney staff and victims, witnesses or other case related participants in real time.

• Maintain accurate records of all translations and ensure document integrity. Maintain records related to interpretation requests.

• Collaborate with peers to ensure consistency in language usage and terminology. Conduct terminology and cultural research to ensure translation accuracy.

• Review non-English written or recorded items to determine if content is of evidentiary value and should be formally translated for use in prosecution case.

• Provide testimony in court proceedings when required.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Knowledge of different language dialects and cultural nuances. Ability to accurately interpret and translate between languages orally and in writing. Extensive understanding of language, grammar and translation techniques.

• Possess considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system, standard legal/court procedures and terminology.

• Possess strong listening, comprehension, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG): 

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in language studies or related field
• 2+ years of criminal justice interpretation and translation experience. 
• Fluency in Spanish language.  Fluency in a second language, such as Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese or Russian preferred.    
• Possess court certification in translation and interpretation or ability to obtain court certification for translation and interpretation.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.  (Example: HS/GED and 6 yrs experience)

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which may include an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Security clearance required:  will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check
• Must successfully pass Spanish tests for speaking, reading, and writing OR provide proof of court certification in translation and interpretation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Spends 90% of the time sitting and 10% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.