OCJ - Court Interpreter (Spanish)

Job Description

Job Description

CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: COURT INTERPRETER 
LANGUAGE: SPANISH
GRADE: 16 (17 upon certification)
UNION: CHICAGO NEWS GUILD
SALARY: UNION PAY SCHEDULE, FIRST STEP: $65,357 ($70,137 upon certification)
LOCATION: ALL COURT LOCATIONS, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS Job Summary and Duties:

• Under the general direction of the Director, the court interpreter reports directly to the Supervisor of Interpreter Services. The court interpreter interprets proceedings in person and remote hearings, trials, mediations, probation meetings, attorney-client communications, interviews and other court-related communicative events held by judges and employees of related court services agencies either in person or virtual.
• Interpreters ensure meaningful language access in accordance with applicable Language Access Policy and applicable federal and state laws.
• Provides interpretation services in a manner that is accurate, complete, and impartially for judges, attorneys, litigants, witnesses, victims, jurors and court staff, in accordance with established professional standards, codes of ethics, and court policies.
• Facilitate interpretation services during remote and hybrid court proceedings conducted via Zoom or other approved virtual platforms.
• Appear punctually for scheduled court proceedings (virtual or otherwise).
• Maintain proficiency in the operation of remote interpretation technology such as Zoom, remote audio equipment and headsets, digital courtroom platforms. Notify the court when technical issues interfere with interpretation accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality in all assignments.
• Comply with the Illinois Supreme Court Code of Interpreter Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
• Performs sight translation of specified foreign language or English documents as required during a proceeding, hearing, interview or other court-related communicative event.
• Translates from English into a specified foreign language, official forms, letters, documents, public signs, notices, posters, form letters, job applications, correspondence and other court-related documents.
• Maintains accurate records of assignments, appearances and remote proceedings, contemporaneous records of interpreting and translating activities, including ongoing case next date and disposition information.
• Travel between court locations as assigned.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be
construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed
temporarily outside an employee’s line of work.
Job Requirements:

• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of this position. Demonstrate fluency in the target language.
• Knowledge of English and appropriate foreign language, including phonology, vocabulary, grammar and dialects.
• Knowledge of English and specified foreign language legal terminology, court procedures and interpreter’s ethics
• Knowledge of interpreting and translation theory, method, techniques, ethics and professional standards.
• Ability to interpret in high pressure environments.
• Knowledge of the interpreting methods and techniques used in simultaneous, sight and consecutive modes.
• Familiarity with the court system and related agencies.
• Basic proficiency with computers, Zoom, email systems and virtual meeting technology
• Must be able to adapt to various courtroom settings and technologies.
• Ability to interpret in consecutive, s and simultaneous modes during proceedings, hearings, interviews and other court-related communicative events.
• Ability to translate written materials between English and the specified foreign language, including forms, letters, and other court-related documents.Ability to sight translate specified foreign language or English documents during a proceeding, hearing interview and other court-related communicative events.
• Ability to maintain clear, concise, accurate, and informative records and reports.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Willingness and ability to, as directed, complete written exam and oral exam administrated by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), or completion of the equivalent test associated with the certifying body of a sister state recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court. 
• Strong commitment to Access to Justice for all, particularly court users with limited English proficiency.
• Understanding of and demonstrated adherence to the Interpreters’ Code of Conduct.
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse coworkers and court users.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and spoken and written second language.
• Two years of experience as a court interpreter preferred.
• Experience providing remote or video remote interpretation (VRI) preferred
• Knowledge of trauma informed communication practices preferred.
• Registered interpreters preferred; candidates actively pursuing certification with the AOIC are encouraged to apply.