POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Interpreter                                                                                 Location: San Diego, CA

Application Deadline: January 26, 2026                                                   Posted: January 8, 2026

Office Website: www.fdsdi.com                              Salary Range: 9/1 $70,507 to 14/10 $186,785

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking a full-time Spanish Language Interpreter to join our defense team. This key role supports attorneys and legal staff by providing interpretation and translation in legal, forensic, and client-facing contexts. The ideal candidate is experienced, discreet, and culturally aware, with strong language skills and professionalism. Duties include interpreting in meetings, court proceedings, and expert interviews, as well as translating documents and evidence. Work may occur in-office, by phone, or in detention facilities. Impartiality and confidentiality are essential. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

This is a full-time position, and the selected candidate must be available to start no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Chief Interpreter, the Interpreter will:

• Provide accurate simultaneous and consecutive interpretation at all stages of criminal defense cases for defendants, witnesses, and attorneys in office, jail, and courtroom settings.
• Translate written materials across a wide range of content areas, including colloquial, legal, official, scientific, and technical language.
• Transcribe and interpret evidentiary recordings, such as law enforcement interviews and wiretaps, with precision and attention to legal accuracy.
• Certify and, when necessary, testify to the accuracy of translations and interpretations, including those produced by third parties.
• Maintain a high level of professional expertise while adhering to standards of impartiality and neutrality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• State and/or federally certified candidates are strongly preferred. Candidates without certification are encouraged to apply, but must successfully pass a language assessment and work toward certification while employed.
• Full professional fluency in both English and Spanish, with the ability to interpret and translate legal, technical, and colloquial language accurately and impartially.
• A minimum of three years of general work experience, including at least two years of specialized experience in interpretation and/or translation in legal or related settings.
• Familiarity with confidentiality standards, including attorney-client privilege.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Proficiency in office software and general administrative practices.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Federal certification is strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures, and criminal defense practices.
• Experience transcribing, translating, and interpreting evidentiary materials, including wiretaps and law enforcement interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and evaluate linguistic nuances and dialects in translation.
• Familiarity with policies, procedures, and casework within a federal criminal defense environment.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The starting salary range is: JSP 9/1 ($70,507) to JSP 14/10 ($186,785). The position does include employee benefits including health and life insurance as well as a 401k plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).  This position is at will and is subject to the availability of funds. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. Full-time telework is not available.

Accessibility:

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Personnel Administrator at Kym_Bryant@fd.org. If hired, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support your success and ensure equal access to opportunities in the workplace.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In our hiring, we seek individuals who share this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to the attention of:

Ana Martinez, Chief Interpreter

InterpreterHiring@fdsdi.com

Subject: Interpreter Position – San Diego

Hiring Timeline:

We value transparency in our hiring process and want applicants to know what to expect. Below are the key dates:

• Application Deadline: January 26, 2026
• Interviews: Week of January 26, 2026
• Anticipated Start Date: No later than February 27, 2026