Court Interpreter

Job Description

Job Description

DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION:
The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara invites applications from Court Interpreters certified by the State of California who are willing to work for the Santa Clara Superior Court on a full-time basis. Work is performed in an office and courtroom environment involving continuous contact with judges, staff, attorneys, litigants, community groups, and the public.
Court Interpreters provide an essential public service, giving assistance to non-English speaking parties. They perform a wide variety of language interpretation activities on an assigned and as-needed basis for the Court, other Court personnel, and the public.
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, Court Interpreters provide verbal interpretations of questions, testimony, arguments, and other courtroom proceedings for defendants, judges, counsel, jurors, witnesses, and others, as well as sight translation of written materials and legal documents in the courtroom.
TYPICAL TASKS/REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
• Interprets from and into English and the applicable non-English language using simultaneous and consecutive modes at court proceedings and for other court related departments at the direction of the court.
• Makes sight translations for the benefit of the Court of documents including, but not limited to, Court petitions, reports, waivers, felony disposition statement forms, and other documents.
• Interprets for judges, attorneys, court staff, and other court-related departments at the direction of the Court.
• Interprets between languages in Court proceedings.
• Bring to the Court's attention any items that may impede the interpreters' performance.
• Researches and understands legal terminology used in Court and functions of the Court.
• Receives daily calendar assignments from the Trial Court Interpreter Coordinator or Supervisor and accurately completes daily activity logs, or other documentation as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS/QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
Certification: Possession of a valid certificate as a “Certified Court Interpreter” or be registered as a Court Interpreter issued by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California.
License: A valid California Class “C” driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Typical Qualifications:
Ability to: Concentrate and deliver interpreting services in a busy and fast-paced environment. Courtroom interpreting requires the ability to adjust to speakers with differing voices and accents at varying rates of speed. In addition, it requires the ability to interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work, as well as the ability to use office equipment, including computer, telephone and copier. Travel within the county is required.
Knowledge of:
Interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court, Rule 984.4 Professional Conduct of Interpreters, and correct usage of grammar.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Working Conditions:
The work environment is generally clean, inside buildings, with limited exposure to dust, fumes, odors, and noise. Incumbents will be working under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions, with frequent deadlines and the expectation of producing high quality work under limited time constraints.
Physical Requirements:
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods and frequently walk, bend, stoop, lift and stretch; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination as required for the specific language used; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication, litigants and the public; use of office equipment as required by the assignment.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Learn more about being a Court Interpreter at: -interpreters.htm
Learn more about being a Contract Court Interpreter at Superior Court, Santa Clara County at:

EXAMINATION:
A screening panel will be convened to select those applicants deemed most qualified to participate in a written and/or oral examination. The examination process will include one or more of the following: application appraisal; written examination; oral examination.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• This recruitment requires the submission of an online application. No paper applications will be accepted. Supplemental questions are required to be answered.
• An electronic copy of your Resume and your Certification or registration as a Court Interpreter by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California must also be submitted as an attachment to this application submission