Portuguese Court Interpreter - Worcester County

Job Description

Job Description

Official Title: Portuguese Court Interpreter - Worcester County

Pay Grade: Grade 20S

Salary Range: 20S Entry Level Pay $84,353.62 to Pay Range Maximum $124,323.68

Starting Pay: $84,353.62

Salary Notes: This position is designated as a Union position. All new hires must start at the entry level rate for this role per the collective bargaining agreement/MOA with OPEIU, Local 6. Pay may advance within the salary band according to the CBA/MOU.

Departmental Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Trial Court Language Access and Court Records Department is responsible for overseeing court programs and services related to spoken language access to interpreters and translators for the limited English proficient (LEP), low literacy court users, and American Sign Language (ASL) or Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals with court matters. The office also provides access to administrative records and trial transcripts of digitally recorded court proceedings for the bench, the bar, the public, and pro se, self-represented litigants (SRL).

Notes: NCSC Interpreter Certification is preferred. New hires for Interpreter positions are required to either have the NCSC Interpreter Certification or successfully complete the NCSC Interpreter Certification program during the first 3 years of employment. Failure to pass the written and oral certification examinations during the first 3 years of employment shall result in separation from employment.

Position Summary: Provides interpretation and translation services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals involved in court events, programs, and services, according to G.L. c. 221C: Court Interpreters for the Trial Court and the Office of Language Access Standards and Procedures of 2021.

Supervision Received: Works under the supervision of the Senior Manager of the Office of Language Access (OLA) and the Regional Coordinator for the interpreter’s region.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provides consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, sight translation, and translation in person or in remote proceedings for all court users.
• Interprets accurately and completely for LEP individuals, and parties without editing or summarizing.
• Performs assignments from and reports issue to the Regional Coordinator.
• Submits monthly service records of all court events that were not entered into MassCourts.
• Travels for service in various court departmental divisions.
• May serve on the OLA Translation Committee.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Competencies:  

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.
Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.
Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.
Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates language proficiency, interpreter skills, and understands court policy and procedure.
Problem Solving: Accurately assesses interpreter problems in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.
Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Three (3) years of related work experience
• Interpreter Certification Preferred. Achieving Interpreter Certification within three (3) years of appointment is required for candidates appointed without validation of prior certification.
• Must have a valid Massachusetts Driver's License or possess or have access to other reliable methods of transportation.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
• Modern office equipment and technology including computers and applicable software.
• Departmental and court policies and procedures.
• Court terminology and decorum.
• Legal terminology.
• Interpretation best practices.
• Data collection and entry.

Skill in:
• Organization and time management.
• Interpretation and translation.
• Leadership.

Ability to:
• Establish effective working relationships with others.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and follow oral and written instructions.
• Listen with precision and render an accurate interpretation.
• Retrieve case information from different sources.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position may serve as a lead worker to others.

Working Conditions: Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments. Work may be performed in person in the court or other locations where the court has business, or remotely over video or teleconference.
Ability to travel to court locations within an assigned region.

Physical Demands: 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.