Bilingual Ecclesiastical Notary (Spanish)

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Bilingual Ecclesiastical Notary
Opening Date: 04/17/2024

Closing Date: When filled.

Location of Job: The Archdiocese of Portland Pastoral Center.

Location Address: 2838 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214. A hybrid schedule may be available depending on business needs.

Position: Part-time; 15 hours per week.

Position Summary: The Archdiocese of Portland is seeking a Bilingual Ecclesiastical Notary to act as an ecclesiastical notary for marriage nullity cases in accordance with canon law and serve as a liaison between the Tribunal Department and the Hispanic Community. As needed, the position will serve as a Spanish translator and interpreter.

The ideal candidate has a proficient general understanding of canon law and ability to learn ecclesiastical procedure, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and is highly organized. This position operates under moderate supervision. Decisions are made in collaboration with the supervisor and contain recurring work situations with occasional variations from the norm. This position may perform intermediate administrative functions and may keep semi-complex to complex records. Contacts involve discussion about confidential and/or sensitive matters.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Acts as an ecclesiastical notary on all cases assigned (primarily but not exclusively those involving Spanish-speakers)
o Produces, authenticates, and communicates official canonical documentation as hardcopies and electronic files.
o Maintains case databases, enters data, tracks case progress, and provides updates for ecclesiastical judges while receiving directions.
o Reviews all case documents/correspondence to ensure accuracy and appropriateness to the canonical process undertaken and stage of the process.
o Communicates with parties and their advocates regarding requests of the Tribunal and keeps them informed of case progress.
o Acts as the primary contact between the Tribunal and Spanish-speakers
o Interacts with independent contractors and assigns work to them at the request of a tribunal official.
o Screens all calls and emails to ecclesiastical judges on assigned cases.
• As an interpreter on Spanish cases:
o Participates in depositions with the instructing judge.
o Assists with scheduling as needed.
• As a translator on Spanish cases:
o Translates documents to English from Spanish and vice versa.
o Reviews machine-generated translations for accuracy
• As needed, assist in scheduling meetings. Other administrative tasks assigned by the Director.
• Provides general information about the work of the Tribunal to those served by the Tribunal.
• Reviews incomplete applications and sends reminder letters as appropriate.
• Substitutes for other ecclesiastical notaries during extended absences and at the request of the Director.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Practicing Catholic required with basic knowledge of Catholic teachings, specifically teachings on marriage and marriage nullity.
• Understanding of canon law and ecclesiastical procedure.
• Verbal and written fluency in both English and Spanish.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to produce accurate correspondence and reports in a timely fashion.
• Proven ability to organize files, events, and materials in a successful manner.
• Minimum 2 years' office experience or equivalent training and/or education
• Some experience with nonprofit organization(s), particularly church ministries preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent
While performing the duties of this job, employees are required to stand, walk, finger, talk, reach, perform repetitive motions of the hands/wrists and feet, sit, grasp, hear, and handle. Must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry items up to 40 pounds.

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@archdpdx.org to apply.

About the Employer

The Archdiocese was initially created as a Vicariate-Apostolic on December 1, 1843. It was created as the Archdiocese of Oregon City on July 24, 1846. The Archdiocese of Portland is the second oldest archdiocese in the United States following Baltimore. The name was changed to its current title by Papal decree on September 26, 1928 to reflect the change of location for the See city of the Archbishop.