Job Description
Salary
$31.75 - $40.24 Hourly
Location
Seattle, WA
Job Type
zzDNU_Special Duty Assign or Term Ltdt Temp (TLT)
Job Number
2025SMD26076
Department
DPH - Public Health
Division
Community Health Services
Opening Date
12/19/2025
Closing Date
1/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit C9A : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Health Prof
Full- or Part-Time Full Time
Summary
Public Health is seeking a full-time, Term Limited Temporary
Dari/Pashto speaking
Medical Interpreter/Translator to be part of our Refugee Medical Screening Clinic team at Downton Public Health in Seattle. The position will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in clinic and focus on facilitating culturally and linguistically appropriate communication between Public Health staff and Dari/Pashto speaking clients. There is also opportunity to connect with clients and assist them both during and following clinic visits with connection to medical and dental care as well as other valuable community resources. This position would be required to
provide interpretation in-person at our Downton Public Health Center in Seattle.
Background The Refugee Medical Screening Clinic offers health screening and connection to care for all eligible newly arriving refugees and asylees in King County.
Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits.
This TLT is currently anticipated to last six (6) months . 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. Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. 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
Work Schedule Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This is a Non-Exempt position and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.
Work Location The primary work location for this position will be at the Refugee Medical Screening Clinic at our Downtown Public Health Center, at 2124 - 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Job Duties
- Interpret communication between Public Health staff and clients in order to provide Public Health services. Services provided include: refugee medical screening, WIC, sexual reproductive health, Family Support Services (including families who are pregnant or with newborn infants and young children), Family Health, Dental, Community Access and Outreach, and Pharmacy.
- Interpret in culturally sensitive situations regarding issues such as child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS.
- Interpret for Public Health staff and clients to fill out a variety of forms for program eligibility, consent, registration, medical history and to explain billing practices and fee collection.
- Interpret information for clients under the direction of Public Health staff related to clinical procedures, health and nutrition education, medical treatments or environmental health regulations.
- Provide general information and referrals to Public Health Services and 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, making reminder calls and appointments as needed.
- Following up with clients to ensure connection to care and resources.
- Explain to Public Health staff relevant cultural beliefs and behaviors presented by non-English speaking clients and their communities which may affect health outcomes or create cross cultural conflict.
- Promote and maintain positive interpersonal communication with coworkers, other agencies and the public.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum): - Must possess the DSHS Medical Interpreter Certification or Screening Certificate or be working on obtaining certification.
- Skill in accurate and appropriate interpretation.
- Applicants with previous experience as a medical interpreter required .
- Must be trilingual in writing and speaking, in English, Dari and Pashto.
- Must have previous experience as a medical interpreter, preferably in a clinic or hospital setting.
- 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.
The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (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.
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 "True North" , 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.
Who May Apply This opportunity is available to all qualified applicants.
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: additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above. 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 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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Union Membership This position is represented by the PROTEC17 labor union.
Contact For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov .
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
- 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal 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 Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
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.
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Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Trial period, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Night shift,