Court Interpreter

Job Title
Court Interpreter
Job Code
R41621
Job Series
Language Access
FLSA Status
Exempt
OCC Group
Professional Services (PS)
Signature of the State Court Administrator approval available on file in the Human Resources Division.
General Statement Of Duties

Summary of Job Classification:
Provides language services to assist LEP (Limited English Proficiency) clients in accessing court services during court, probation and ancillary proceedings, virtually, telephonically, and/or in person. Interprets or arranges for interpreting services by independent contractors. Requires State or Federal Interpreter Certification or equivalent. 

Distinguishing Factors

Human Collaboration:
Interactions may result in decisions regarding implementation of policies. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions with the public requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Interactions have limited impact.

Freedom to Act & Impact of Actions:
Receives General Direction
Employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically. Impact of actions are moderate.

Knowledge & Skills:
Full Performance
Work requires comprehensive, practical knowledge of work processes. Incumbent can complete a broad range of work, sometimes complex, without frequent reference to others. Likely impact on organization is comprehensive.

Fiscal Responsibility:
Position has no fiscal responsibility.

Essential Functions Of the Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential functions listed below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequency and percentage of time may vary based on assignment.

Provides accurate, complete, and clear interpretation in all types of hearings where a party to the case has limited English proficiency and requires a Spanish interpreter.

Schedules interpreters for languages other than Spanish, including American Sign Language Interpreters and Captions in Real Time providers, for court appearances, competency evaluations, pre-sentence reports, mediations, and court visitations.

Authorizes invoices for independent contractors.

Assists with printing, organizing, and sending the docket to independent contractors.

Receives requests to translate documents for specific programs in the district. Sends documents to the Translation Department of the Office of Language Access and follows up on delivery dates.

Translates short documents such as letters from defendants to the judges, victim’s statements, and flyers with information for the district.

Attends meetings and training as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Work requires providing guidance and the potential to oversee another employee. This position may oversee work quality, training, instructing and work assignments. The work performed by majority of employees is semi complex.

Minimum Education

Education and Experience Equivalency:
Associate's degree or 2 years of college.

OR

Additional relevant work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required formal education.

Work Related Experience: 
1 to 3 years of experience interpreting in a judicial environment.

Licenses and Certifications: 
State or Federal Court Interpreter Certification or equivalent. 

Physical Demands

Physical Effort Requirements:
Sedentary Work- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Work Environment

Work Environment:
Good-Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards.

Work Location:
Office or similar indoor environment.

Exposures: 
Individuals who are hostile or irate; individuals with known violent backgrounds.