Position/Program Information
Type Of Recruitment
We welcome applications from anyone.
Filing Dates
The application filing period will begin on
Monday, August 10, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) – Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.
Exam Number
L1154D-EA
Reposting Information
This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing period.
The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and hardworking individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.
We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.
Position Information
The
Interpreter position requires fluency in both English and a foreign language to perform interpretation (spoken word) and translation (written text) services to meet the legal and public needs of the clients of the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office under the general supervision of a Management Secretary V and perform related duties and routine clerical tasks as necessary.
Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.
During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.
Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Interpreter.
Essential Job Functions
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Interpreting or translating idiomatic expressions and literal information to and from English to Spanish on behalf of Public Defender staff and clients in person at various locations by phone, remotely, or virtually to discuss or obtain updates or information related to their case.
- Transcribing audio or video recordings and translating non-English conversations from voicemails, electronic text messages, and emails of clients and witnesses to support the work of attorney staff on their assigned cases.
- Translating legal documents for clients; translating and interpreting written and typed case-related documents submitted by the clients to attorneys; and providing typed translations from English to the foreign language issued by the attorneys to their clients.
- Receiving telephone calls from clients and clients’ relatives and/or friends; and accurately documenting the information to convey to the assigned attorney and/or legal support staff.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Six months of experience in interpreting and translating* from English to Spanish.
License
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
You MUST meet the above requirements in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment
Special Requirement Information
- Experience in translating is defined as converting text from a source language into a target language. In contrast, experience in interpreting is defined as working with the spoken word, converting speech from a source language into a target language. Required experience in translating and interpreting is in law, criminal defense, or criminal justice. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject and its terminology in source and target languages.
Physical Class 2 - Light
This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
Additional Information
Our Assessment Process
During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment. If permanently appointed, you will be subject to a probationary period based on the classification.
Vacancy Information
The appointees to the position
MUST BE WILLING to work any shift and in any Los Angeles County location and may be subject to transfer at any time.
Application And Filing Information
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information.
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
- SApkarian@pubdef.lacounty.gov
- Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
- Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov
- info@governmentjobs.com
- noreply@governmentjobs.com
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
Social Security Number
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.
Computer And Internet Access At Public Libraries
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
No Sharing Of User Id, Email, And Password
All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend’s user ID and password may erase a candidate’s original application record.
Anti-racism, Diversity, And Inclusion (ardi)
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of the Los Angeles County Public Defender is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Department Contact Name: Sevag Apkarian
Department Contact Phone: (213) 460-8073
Department Contact Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations For Applicants
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran’s Credit
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
For detailed information, please click here
01
The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process.
SELECT AND REVIEW YOUR ANSWERS CAREFULLY.
Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience or education. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response. All information including work history, experience, and education is subject to verification at any time during the application review, selection, and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or dismissal.
- I understand the above information and instructions.
02
Notices such as application, selection, and appointment notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on your application. It is your responsibility to provide a valid email address and review all notifications sent to you.
Please add
SApkarian@pubdef.lacounty.gov, Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov, Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov, noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered or blocked as spam/junk/clutter mail.
- I understand and will comply with the above information and instructions.
03
This
Interpreter-Spanish job opportunity works directly and/or indirectly with individuals experiencing homelessness.
- I understand an am willing to perform all necessary work duties related to this recruitment and hiring process.
04
How many months of experience do you have
interpreting and
translating* from English to Spanish languages?
*Experience in translating is defined as converting text from a source language into a target language. In contrast, experience in interpreting is defined as working with the spoken word, converting speech from a source language into a target language. Required experience in translating and interpreting is in law, criminal defense, or criminal justice. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject and its terminology in source and target languages.
- Less than six months
- Six months but less than 12 months
- 12 months or more
- I do not have this experience
05
If you indicated experience interpreting and translating from the English to the Spanish language in Question #4 above, please provide
ALL of the following information where the experience was gained.
- Payroll Title
- Employer Name
- Dates of Employment: FROM (mm/dd/yy) - TO (mm/dd/yy)
- Duties Performed Comments such as "see resume or application" WILL NOT be considered as a full response. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A" as your response. Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification or rejection of your application.
06
Questions #7 and #8 will be used for information purposes only. Applicants may attach documentation in support of their responses.
- I acknowledge and understand this information.
07
Do you possess additional training as a translator or interpreter in one of the following areas?
- A degree in Foreign Languages (Spanish) or Communications from an accredited institution
- A state certification as a Court or Medical Interpreter
- A certificate as a Professional Translator in the Spanish language
- I do not have any additional training as as an Interpreter
08
If you indicated additional training or certifications in the Spanish language in Question #7 above, please indicate the name of the accredited institution and the date when this degree or certification was attained
-OR- the type of state certification (court or medical) you possess.
Note: You may attach a copy of your degree or certification to your application.
If you do not have a degree or certification, please indicate "N/A" as your response.
09
The Interpreter position works
ANY shift (evenings, nights, weekends, etc.).
Do you acknowledge this job requirement?
10
The Interpreter position works in
ANY area of Los Angeles County.
Do you acknowledge this job requirement?
