Interpreter

Salary: $108,455.00 Annually
Location : Tucson, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-48
Department: Clerk's Office
Division: Tucson Division
Opening Date: 08/28/2026


Introduction and Representative Duties
The United States District Court for the District of Arizona is currently seeking a full-time, permanent court interpreter position located in the Tucson Clerk's Office.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The incumbent provides Spanish-English interpretation services in all type of matters before the court as well as translation of documents. The tasks to be performed are very complex, calling for a wide range of well-developed interpreting and interpersonal skills. The choice of which interpreting technique is required, consecutive, simultaneous, or sight, is governed by the particular situation. Travel within the state of Arizona will be required.

Duties will include the following:
• Interpreting in the consecutive and simultaneous modes as required during courtroom proceedings.
• Translating documents and correspondence to and from the court.
• Assisting with the processing of vouchers for contract interpreters.
• Providing remote interpretation services via TIP (Telephone Interpreting Program).
• Interpreting outside of court for ancillary matters related to the court as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Occupational Information


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must hold a Court Interpreter Certification issued by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts as a Spanish court interpreter and provide proof of said certification. The candidate must be proficient interpreting in the simultaneous and consecutive mode, as well as provide sight translations and translate documents. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate actual court experience.


To qualify at salary level JSP 13, a person must have two years of specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has provided the interpreter with the knowledge, skills and abilities to accurately interpret between Spanish and English, without any additions, omissions or changes to the meaning, while maintaining the same register as the speaker.

The ability to maintain a professional demeanor in all cases is required. The ability to translate complex documents and correspondence written in a wide variety of registers is also a requirement.

How to Apply


Please visit our website at Applications are only accepted on our website.

Applicants must submit the following with their online application:

• Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position.
• Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
• Your two most recent performance evaluations (strongly preferred).
  • Letters of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. One letter of recommendation must be from a current or recent supervisor.
• A copy of your federal Court Interpreter Certification issued by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Attachments should be MS Word or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents. Other formats such as JPEG/JPG are not acceptable.

Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments (in proper format) are received by the Human Resources Division. Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.

Applicant Information
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position.The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations.


Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.

The U.S. District Court is a drug-free workplace and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Participation in the interview process will be at the applicants own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.
Lateral transfers will be appointed to the applicant's current grade and step. All promotions are subject to the approval of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Upon approval from the Administrative Office, the employee may be promoted to JSP-14 without further competition.
The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e. Direct Deposit).


Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

The U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Judicial employees are entitled to standard federal benefits, such as paid vacation and sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and retirement benefits to include a defined benefit program (4.4% of gross pay; 4.9% of gross pay for LEO-Law Enforcement Officers) and a 401(k) styled program known as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which provides an immediate government match of up to 5%.

Optional benefits include health and life insurance, dental and vision insurance, and a Flexible Benefits Program offering medical and dependent care reimbursement.
01


I have attached my resume (separate from the application), a cover letter, and two of my most recent performance evaluations or two letters of recommendation to the application at time of submission. I understand that these are the required documents in order to be considered for the position.

• Yes
• No

02


I have attached a copy of my Certified Interpreter Certificate issued by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

• Yes
• No

Required Question