Spanish Interpreter/Translator Intern

About the role

The Language Services Unit at the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) provides interpretation and translation services for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. Under close supervision, qualified Spanish interpreter/translator interns will have the opportunity to translate bi-directionally between English and Spanish and to proofread translations for accuracy.

Translation materials may include legal documents, statements, and audio recordings. Interns will make use of their verbal skills by interpreting during in-house interviews, for which mature and tactful behavior is required. All interns will also assist with screening Spanish audio recordings, in written or oral form, and in producing accurate transcriptions and translations, among other language related tasks.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Ability to interpret/translate both verbal and written communication from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
• Provide interpretations as required by phone/video conferences, community presentations, and in-person interviews.
• Prepare transcriptions and translations from recordings.
• Verbally screen audio recordings in Spanish.
• Prepare written translations of a variety of materials in both language directions, including but not limited to legal documents, personal statements, press releases, general forms/letters, etc.
• Proofread translations and provide feedback.
• Process requests for Spanish language services and update Unit database.
• In a team effort support Unit staff with translation and interpretation assignments as assigned by supervisor.

In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements, candidates must possess the following:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a junior or senior in college or in a graduate program or other language related program. Preference will be given to students enrolled in translation/interpretation programs.
• Applicants must possess a strong bi-cultural awareness as well as a strong ability to speak, write, and use idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms in both English and Spanish. (Prior knowledge of legal language is not required).

How to Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial transcript, including evidence of current enrollment.
• Three professional references.
• Two sample translations for which source texts are provided at the bottom of this posting. Please add your translations to the bottom of your Cover Letter.
• As part of the interview process, interpretation internship candidates will be expected to interpret consecutively in a mock interrogation.

Note: Applications for the Spring 2027 Internship will be accepted during the following dates:

• October 19, 2026 – December 4, 2026

Hours/Shift

• The Spring Internship is available February 22, 2027 – April 30, 2027. Interns will work two days a week, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• Applicants must commit to a complete term.

Source Texts for Sample Translations

Directions: please translate the below texts from English or Spanish into the other language respectively. Do not consult any reference materials.

• Translate the below text into Spanish:

To Whom It May Concern

• I am the Assistant District Attorney in charge of the prosecution of the above-referenced case.
• The case will be presented to the Grand Jury on Wednesday January 5, 2022.
• I have enclosed a subpoena calling for your presence before the Criminal Court on that date.

• The subpoena does not require it, but I would appreciate your coming to my office at 9:00 AM so that we may discuss the case prior to your testifying in the Grand Jury.
• Sincerely,

John Smith

• Translate the below text into English:

Additional information

Fui agredida f sica y verbalmente por mi actual pareja. Se pone muy celoso cuando est tomado. Me rompe todo en mi habitaci n y siempre me tira objetos cada vez que discutimos. En verdad tengo miedo de su maltrato. Me golpea y me dice de todo. Una vez me tir de la guagua. Me salvaron morados. Me gritaba que me hiba matar. No puedo m s. Quiero que se valla de mi casa.

Qualifications & Requirements

For Assignment Level I

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school.

For Assignment Level II (Information Technology)

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or closely related field, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study.

For Assignment Level III (Information Technology Fellow)

Matriculation at an accredited college or graduate school. Employment is conditioned upon continuance as a student in a college or graduate school with a specific course of study in information technology, computer science, management information systems, data processing, or other area relevant to the information technology project(s) assigned, including or supplemented by 9 semester credits in an acceptable course of study. Appointments to this Assignment Level will be made by the Technology Steering Committee through the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

Special Note

• Maximum tenure for all Assignment Levels in the title of College Aide is 6 years.
• No student shall be employed more than half-time in any week in which classes in which the student is enrolled are in session.
• Students may be employed full-time during their vacation periods.