Medical Interpreter/Translator - Dari/Pashto (Term limited temporary)

Salary : $24,761.18 - $31,386.11 Annually
Location : Multiple locations in King County, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Job Number: 2025SD23897
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Community Health Services
Opening Date: 03/06/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C9A : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Health Prof
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time


Summary
This position is open until filled. Applications submitted by March 26th will be given priority consideration.

Medical Interpreters working at our Public Health Centers will be part of our clinic multi-disciplinary teams. As an integral part of these teams, they will focus on facilitating culturally and linguistically appropriate communication between Public Health staff and Dari and Pashto speaking clients in clinic and in home and community health settings. The work is varied and interesting and is an important part of our commitment to serving our county's most vulnerable populations.

Public Health is seeking a Dari/Pashto Speaking Medical Interpreter/Translator to be part of our clinic multi-disciplinary teamsand focus on facilitating culturally and linguistically appropriate communication between Public Health staff and non-English/limited English-speaking clients in clinic and in home and community health settings. This position will be required to provide interpretation in-person. The TLT position will be working at our south county clinics in Auburn, Kent, Midway and Federal Way.

Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last one (1) year. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit
Job Duties

• Interpreting work involves home visiting with First Steps providers to pregnant and post-partum families. Visits focus on prenatal and postpartum health, breastfeeding consult and education, birth control and pregnancy options counseling, and providing information and guidance on safe sleep practices, injury prevention, and nutrition and linking families to critical resources.
• Interpret communication between Public Health staff and clients in order to provide Public Health services, including: such programs as WIC, Birth control/STD clinic, Family Support Services (including families who are pregnant or with newborn infants & young children) Family Health, Dental, Community Access & Outreach, and Pharmacy.
• Interpret for health care providers in reproductive health clinic to elicit sexual histories from male and female clients, including teens, explain birth control methods and present pregnancy options.
• Interpret in culturally sensitive situations regarding issues such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS.
• Interpret for Public Health staff & clients to fill out a variety of forms for program eligibility, consent, registration, medical history & to explain billing practices & fee collection.
• Interpret information for clients under the direction of Public Health staff related to clinical procedures, health & nutrition education, medical treatments or environmental health regulations.
• Provide general information and referrals to Public Health Services & related community social and health services.
• Assist in facilitating efficient delivery of Public Health services within productivity guidelines as part of the treatment team.
• Checking and retrieving phone messages and taking appropriate follow-up action, using computer systems to look up clinic schedules, client appointments, make reminder calls & make appointments as needed.
• Explain to Public Health staff relevant cultural beliefs and behaviors presented by non-English speaking clients & their communities which may affect health outcomes or create cross cultural conflict.
• Promote & maintain positive interpersonal communication with coworkers, other agencies & the public.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills


Required:

• Must possess the DSHS Medical Interpreter Certification or Screening Certificate or be working on obtaining certification.
• Skill in accurate and appropriate interpretation.
• Must be fluent in English and Dari and Pashto (skills will be tested)
• Must have previous experience as a medical interpreter.
• Must be willing and able to interpret regarding reproductive health care.
• Must be willing and able to interpret in culturally sensitive situations including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, birth control for minors, pregnancy options counseling, and HIV/AIDS.
• Knowledge of the cultural beliefs and values of the relevant populations.
• Knowledge of National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (NCIHC) Code of Ethics.
• Basic knowledge of community resources and service agencies and/or skill in identifying appropriate community resources for clients as needed.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and diseases.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy.
• Knowledge of refugee and immigrant social and health issues.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Desired:

• The most qualified applicants will have taken "Bridging the Gap" or another formal Interpreter Training Program and will have at least 2 years of experience in a health care setting.
• Experience as a medical interpreter.

Supplemental Information
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application Process
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

Please note: Resumes and Cover letters will not be used in the evaluation process. Please fill out your application with all relevant job experience.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to For tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Work Schedule

This position is Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. This is an on-site position and there is no remote work associated with this position . This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.

Work Location

This position will be working at our south county clinics in Auburn, Kent, Midway and Federal Way. Interpreters may be asked to work at different clinics as needed.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC 17.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson,
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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our

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.


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.
01


Do you have the DSHS Medical Interpreter Certification or Screening Certificate, or are you working on obtaining certification?

• Yes
• No

02


If you are in the process of obtaining your certification, please indicate where you are in the certification process. Describe what training you are planning to take. If you already have the certification, please provide your certification #. If you are not in the process or do not have a certification, please put N/A.
03


Are you fluent in writing and speaking, in English and Dari and Pashto? (Please note, skills will be tested).

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have experience as a medical interpreter?

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe your experience. If no, put N/A.
06


Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

07


If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
Required Question King County, WA