Anyone Know if Spanish Interpreters are NEEDED In Oregon Police Departments? (Portland: fit in, apartments)

[Jojim]

Dear All,

We are living in Florida. We don't belong in Florida, however; we've not summoned up enough courage to make the move to Oregon like we'd hoped. Now that my husband has been told that the tropical humidity of Florida is wreaking havoc with his health, NOW he decides that a move might be in order. He works here at the local Sheriff's Department---he's not a police man. He does a variety of tasks, but they often need an interpreter for the hispanic population which he does well. Would that particular skill come in handy up there? I understand the hispanic population is growing at a phenomenal rate in Oregon.

Please, anybody, tell me anything about Oregon: from wherever you live there to whatever bugs you have to how great the fishing is to gardening in Oregon to well. . . whatever you've got.

I'm well aware that unemployment is quite high there---it's pretty bad here too. I'm told it is expensive, but after living in Hawaii, California and Florida consecutively---three of the most expensive states in the US, I think we can handle Oregon. We're not rich by any means, and we'd have to live in apartments for a while, but that's okay. I'm not bothered by rainy/dreary weather in the least. We're hoping for a cooler climate rather than six months of God-awful heat, mosquitoes and expensive air conditioning and high electric bills. We enjoy the outdoors a great deal, I can't go out in the summer here anymore for personal health reasons---SIX months is a long time to be consigned to the indoors.

So, throw it at me! I'm open.

Peace All,
the DragonLady

[Rob Allen]

Yes, bilingualism is a useful skill here, and it sounds like you have a realistic sense of the economic situation. Keep looking until you find a job; I think you'll like it here.

[Nell Plotts]

It isn't enough to speak Spanish. Lots of well educated non-Hispanic young people are fluent in Spanish on the west coast - particularly if their parents are farmers or worked in agriculture. You need to qualify for an opening based on other skills, the ability to translate for Spanish-speakers would be a tie-breaker in a hiring decision.

Law enforcement does have problems from time to time communicating with people who only speak Spanish (or who claim to only speak Spanish). As you probably know well Cuban Spanish is different than the Spanish spoken in Mexico (where most of our Spanish speakers grew up), and many of Mexican heritage speak village dialects.

[gorilazgomossad]

Somewhat off topic, but since Im still learning about portland and or myself, this is the best I can do- I DEFINITELY KNOW that you would find jobs in Colorado. Their is a huge Spanish speaking population and your services in traffic court, court and other services would be needed. I know that the courts hire spanish speaking interpreters. Wondering if you might be able to call some of the government offices and ask - to find out about Portland. Or try the local gov website to see if there are job openings for interpreters. Hope this helps and good luck!

[gorilazgomossad]

oh and the Paralegal field is growing as well - many jobs ask that applicants be bilingual in english and spanish. You could see if thats something you/your husband is interested in. Basically requires helping attorneys communicate with clients and doing the gruntwork of filing, typing and such.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I recently had to find a person who could sign in Spanish. I cjecked the courts, State of Oregon and other entities ans there were none at all. I'm told it's a huge void.

[Jojim]

Wow, thanks all for the great answers.

I do agree that one needs to have other skills---my husband has been with this Sheriff's Dept. for years, so he does a LOT more than just speaky the Spanish. There are ALWAYS those that claim to speak only Spanish in hopes of getting out of trouble, however; Hispanics often have trouble navigating the 'land of law'---even the more educated sons and daughters often can't translate the importance of some issues or neccessary processes behind many of the legalities of matters.

We have a mix of Hispanic dialects here, but most are of the Mexican type.

You know, we used to live in Aurora, Colorado back in the '80's. We were right up the road from Fitzsimmons Army Hospital where we were stationed. If we have no luck on the job front in Oregon, it 'might' be a second choice---he's just not in a hurry to deal with the winters there.

Right now, we are looking at Portland---which has the college that my son would need to transfer to if we leave within the next year, or Corvallis because I like it's central location, and then Grants Pass---simply because it 'speaks to me'. (try not to laugh so hard.)

Thanks All! If you got anything else, give me a holler.
Peace All,
the DragonLady

[gorilazgomossad]

It speaks to you, oh my you will fit in with all the treehuggers in Oregon. Im planning to be one of them soon. I also like to talk to my plants and talk about people who have bad chi and those who violate my personal bubble of space. Yes, I'm a granola hippie yuppie girl.

[MsMurphy48]

Schools need Spanish interpreters, a step beyond translators. Interpreter training is available. In Oregon, you can look for jobs through education service districts or school districts. This is one of the few areas in which there is still hiring in the tough economy.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

It isn't enough to speak Spanish. Lots of well educated non-Hispanic young people are fluent in Spanish on the west coast - particularly if their parents are farmers or worked in agriculture. You need to qualify for an opening based on other skills, the ability to translate for Spanish-speakers would be a tie-breaker in a hiring decision.

Law enforcement does have problems from time to time communicating with people who only speak Spanish (or who claim to only speak Spanish). As you probably know well Cuban Spanish is different than the Spanish spoken in Mexico (where most of our Spanish speakers grew up), and many of Mexican heritage speak village dialects.

Very true. I speak Spanish fluently and it hasn't really opened up any job opportunities because there are so many bilinguals here already. Most law enforcement groups have at least one Spanish-speaking officer on staff. Your primary skill needs to be something else: health care, education, management, etc.