Language Services & Community Engagement Specialist (Spanish)
- Summary
The Department of Elections is recruiting a Language Services & Community Engagement Specialist who will support the Language Services and Community Engagement Program for the Spanish language. This individual must be able to read, write, understand and speak Spanish at the language proficiency testing level used by the Department. This position provides bilingual assistance, translation, and community outreach support. It also conducts glossary and vocabulary research and provides administrative support to other election work groups as needed.
King County Elections (KCE) manages voter registration and elections for more than 1.3 million voters in King County and is the largest vote-by-mail county in the United States. KCE's mission is to conduct fair, open and accurate elections. As a leader in providing inclusive elections, KCE is focused on three key priorities – (1) actively identifying and working to remove barriers to voting at both the individual and community level, (2) strengthening relationships with community and governmental partners, and (3) creating a culture of professional growth and development, openness and inclusion. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx.
The Department of Elections is searching for an energetic and resourceful professional who likes to "get stuff done". The Language Services & Community Engagement Specialist position in the Elections Department combines an exciting, fast paced environment with the opportunity to cultivate talents and apply a variety of skills. The ideal candidate will thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the general public and all King County employees.
WORK SCHEDULE: The standard workweek for this full-time position is Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week. We require the flexibility to work additional hours during peak periods of the election cycle. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: A resume and cover letter are required and should be attached before submitting your application. The cover letter should describe how your skills and experience meet or exceed the requirements of the job. Applications without the required materials may not be considered for this position.
- Job Duties
- Translate and/or proof election-related materials to Spanish, including but not limited to: letters, general correspondence, web, notice of elections, ballots, and voters' pamphlet including candidate statements and ballot measures.
- Provide bilingual assistance to the public in a professional setting to facilitate communications across language and cultural barriers.
- Answer inquiries from Spanish language voters.
- Review, edit and proofread all translated documents produced by translation vendors and others, for accuracy, clarity and consistency.
- Assist with the oversight of temporary translators which includes distribution of workload, providing direction and training, and monitor the quality and completion of work in order to meet tight deadlines.
- Coordinate initiatives and participate in outreach events designed to promote the organization, its resources and services to the community.
- Respond to public and community inquiries related to Elections Language Services and Community Engagement.
- Provide presentations and trainings to voters and community partners on election related topics.
- Improve work processes, address quality control issues, and document procedures.
- Provide established policies, procedures, codes, regulations and other relevant sources, in English and Spanish, to internal and/or external customers in writing, in-person or by telephone.
- Handle sensitive and/or potentially challenging customer service situations in Spanish and English.
- Research and summarize specialized or technical information from varied sources. This may require selecting the most appropriate material and the use of spreadsheets and customized database applications.
- Research and resolve questions, problems, or inquiries from voters, staff, citizens and/or stakeholders.
- Assist voters' needs by researching voter demographics and other relevant data, reviewing voter registration data reports, communicating with advocacy and community based groups and organizations and fill orders for materials.
- Provide back up support to Elections Voter Services Division, which may include providing customer service to voters, processing voter registrations or explaining election procedures, guidelines and regulations.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Experience in translation of documents into Spanish, including the translation of technical documents.
- High level of language proficiency to include interpreting, translation, reading, writing and speaking in both English and Spanish. (Candidates will be tested to determine translation skills and language proficiency.)
- Office and computer skills including the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. (Candidates will be tested on office and computer skills.)
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
- Ability to organize work assignments, set priorities, and follow through on work assignments.
- Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Ability to speak in public and deliver presentations to different audiences.
WE WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU HAVE:
- Working knowledge of community organizations, agencies and groups serving Spanish speaking communities in King County.
- Elections knowledge and experience.
- Working knowledge of InDesign and CAT tools such as TRADOS.
- Supplemental Information
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Travel to work locations throughout King County with limited or no public transportation services is required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The duties in this position are performed in an office setting and may be required to lift at least 25 pounds.
UNION: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117 Administrative Support Employees union. Membership is required within 30 days of hire.
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Community Interpreter - Elections
King County is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer and we encourage people of color, women, veterans and people with disabilities to apply.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Reeshema Lewis
Sr. HR Business Partner
Email: Reeshema.Lewis@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-263-8413
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you have experience in translation of documents into Spanish, including the translation of technical documents?
- Yes
- No
02Please describe your Spanish/English written translation experience. Please be specific and include when and where you translated, the organizations and/or agencies, and the difficulty and/or types of materials translated. If you do not have this experience then type N/A.03Do you have experience with making presentations and to a variety of audiences of varying sizes?- Yes
- No
04Do you have experience engaging with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds?- Yes
- No
05Please rate your experience using Microsoft Office Suite - specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.- No experience
- Beginner, some use
- Intermediate, frequent use and average skill
- Advanced, extensive use and excellent skill
06Do you possess an educational program certificate and/or have you completed a formalized training certification program preferably for the Spanish language?- Yes
- No
Required Question