Spanish Language Paralegal - Chesterfield

Title: Spanish Language Paralegal - Chesterfield

State Role Title: Spanish Language Paralegal - Chesterfield

Hiring Range: $49,613.00 + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: CHESTERFIELD 326

Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC), a Commonwealth of Virginia Independent Agency, is dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Chesterfield Public Defender Office is now accepting applications for the position of Spanish Language Paralegal. The qualified candidate will provide support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defender’s office and provides translation and interpretation services for the indigent clients of the office. The Spanish Language Paralegal position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Chesterfield Office and is employed at-will. Spanish Fluency is Required. Translation and Interpretation certification is preferred.

Duties:
The Chesterfield County Public Defender Office maintains a zealous, client-centered practice, with a caseload that consists of many Spanish-speaking clients. The Spanish Language Paralegal would play a critical role in serving our clientele and providing services in support of our mission through all phases of criminal prosecution. For these reasons, in addition to traditional paralegal tasks, this position will assist with translation and interpretation for clients, witnesses, and any evidence or discovery that is produced in Spanish.

Specific tasks may include:

• Assist attorneys with review of Body Worn Camera and other video evidence produced
  in Spanish.
• Assist attorneys in reviewing recorded jail calls that are in Spanish.
• Communicate with Spanish-speaking clients and witnesses.
• Assist attorneys and core staff with cross-cultural communication.
• Assist attorneys in retrieving and reviewing discovery and submitting discovery
  responses.
• Assist attorneys in preparing cases for trial.
• Interview potential witnesses for bond and sentencing hearings.
• Collection and review of records relevant to mitigation and sentencing advocacy.
• Other duties as assigned.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Spanish language fluency and the ability to translate and interpret.
• Bachelor’s Degree or paralegal Certification from an ABA-accredited program.
• A strong belief in equal justice and public service is essential to success in this position.
• A valid operator’s license and transportation.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to organize, analyze and summarize complex information.
• Comfort working in a high-stress environment with challenging subject matters and a fast-paced environment and dealing with difficult and complex subject matters.
• Diligence and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a large caseload with a wide -variety of tasks

Additional Considerations

• Certification in translation and interpretation services.
• Experience translating and interpreting in a legal setting.
• Experience and familiarity with the Chesterfield legal community and court system.

Special Instructions

Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

While creating an account through the state system will save your basic information (please remember your username and password), applications are NOT saved for future openings. We encourage you to apply to any and all of the positions you may be considering within the IDC.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. IDC does not accept “see resume” as a response to any question. Information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.

Edits cannot be made to the application once you have received a confirmation number. Phone calls are not accepted regarding an inquiry to the status of an application. Please login to the RMS system for status updates.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: 804-662-7249

Email: recruiting@vadefenders.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.