COUNCIL OF JUDGES - LICENSED COURT INTERPRETER (TEMPORARY)

Job Title

Licensed Court Interpreter

Job Description

The Licensed Court Interpreter interprets verbatim in simultaneous, consecutive Spanish into English and English into Spanish. The incumbent provides simultaneous and consecutive interpreting services of court proceedings, hearings, interviews, and other court related events. The incumbent performs other court related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Salary dependent on qualifications. Relocation assistance may be available for this position. Acceptable experience and education: Bachelor’s degree in languages and one (1) year experience as a translator or interpreter; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Certificates and licenses required: Licensed in court interpretation by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) with master level designation. Interpreters are required to attain sixteen hours of continuing education (CEU) per year.

Typical Duties

Interprets for the court all proceedings from arraignment to motions, to trials and sentencing. Interprets court proceedings for an individual who can hear but who does not comprehend English or communicate in English so that the defendant can participate in his own defense (from voir dire to summation); Provides sight and written translation of English or Spanish documents as required; Exercises independent action by determining when interpreting services are no longer needed and requests to be excused for further interpreting assignments. Interprets between the defendant and his attorney when appropriate, but during the course of the trial only; Interprets simultaneously during juvenile proceedings to non-English speaking to juveniles and/or parents (from one parent to several sets of parents). Interprets for any witnesses called to testify from the witness stand; interprets the judge’s or attorney’s questions to Spanish and the witnesses’ responses to English, in-jury or non-jury trials. Interprets for the grand jury for non-English speaking Spanish-speaking witnesses whenever time permits; Interprets for the jury panel qualifications sessions; Translates legal documents and other evidentiary material for the benefit of the court or jury when directed to do so by the court; Takes the constitutional oath of office and an oath that the interpreter will faithfully interpret all testimony given in court; Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions; Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Job Summary

The Licensed Court Interpreter interprets verbatim in simultaneous, consecutive Spanish into English and English into Spanish. The incumbent provides simultaneous and consecutive interpreting services of court proceedings, hearings, interviews, and other court related events. The incumbent performs other court related duties as required.

Additional Information

Minimum requirements: Knowledge, skills, and abilities Knowledge of: the county system; the principles and practices of effective customer service; English/Spanish usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products; legal terminology in criminal, civil and juvenile cases; departmental programs, policies and operations as applied to the work performed. Skill/ability to: communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in both English and Spanish; translate from Spanish to English and English to Spanish effectively; read, compose and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos, in both English and Spanish; maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations; respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner; make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures; perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; display a high degree of self-motivation; control emotions; read aloud; public speak; able to deal with the public; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; Pass a criminal background check; Bilingual (English-Spanish) required; Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance; Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment; Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner; Maintain strict confidentiality; Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and, Maintain and enhance the county’s commitment to customer service excellence

Benefits

El Paso County offers a very comprehensive benefit package consisting of the following: Holidays 16 holidays per year as recognized. Vacation Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee’s annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees. Sick leave Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year. Miscellaneous paid leaves Military leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service Bereavement leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member and 4 hours for other family members and friends. Medical health benefits Plan costs – biweekly rates Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 Medical consumer driven health plan (CDHP) no discounts EE only $5.34 EE & spouse $145.30 EE & children $101.93 EE & family $200.09 6% wellness discount EE only - $5.02 EE & spouse - $136.58 EE & children - $95.81 EE & family - $188.09 Core plan no discounts EE only - $35.70 EE & spouse - $226.41 EE & children - $174.96 EE & family - $322.25 6% wellness discount EE only - $33.56 EE & spouse - $212.83 EE & children - $164.46 EE & family - $302.92 Retirement Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the county matches 250% upon eligible retirements. Deferred compensation Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program. Life insurance Full-time county employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees. Long-term disability The long-term disability program provides 60% of the employees’ income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days. Short-term disability The short-term disability program provides 60% of the employees’ income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days. Retiree health insurance Employees who retire from the county are eligible to continue health insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board. Employee assistance program Employees are enrolled in an employee assistance program that provides a variety of counseling services. Section 125 medical & dependent care program The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. Healthy lifestyle reimbursement Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage. Educational assistance program (EdAP) Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses. Employee fitness and wellness center The employee fitness and wellness center opened in October 2021 at the county courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.