Court Interpreter (Spanish)

Position Summary

Under general supervision, Court Interpreters provide an essential public service, giving assistance to LEP (limited English Proficiency) parties. They perform a wide variety of language interpretation activities for the court and for parties in proceedings including witnesses, defendants, attorneys and for other court personnel and the public; and perform other job related duties as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is a single journey level classification. Employees in this classification perform consecutive and simultaneous interpretation of courtroom proceedings and other related interpreting services as needed. Employees in this classification may also perform sight translation (reading written texts and giving an oral translation of text) as needed.

Typical Duties

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Positions in this class may perform any or all of the below listed duties. These should be interpreted as examples of the work, and should not be considered all-inclusive.

• 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.
• Provides 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.
• Brings to the court's attention any items that may impede the interpreter's performance.
• Researches and understands legal terminology used in court and functions of the court which may include but not limited to legal, technological, scientific and/or medical terminology.
• Receives daily calendar assignments from the Trial Court Interpreter Coordinator or Supervisor and accurately completes daily activity logs or other documentation as required.
• Performs other language interpretation duties as assigned, such as providing general court information at an information counter to the non- English speaking public and processes documents related to interpretation.

Qualifications

Certification: Possess and maintain a valid certificate as a "Certified Court Interpreter" issued by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California.

A valid Class C California driver's license may be required to be eligible for consideration for certain assignments.

Knowledge of:

• Interpreter ethics and professional standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court, Rule 2.890 Professional Conduct of Interpreters.
• Correct usage of grammar and vocabulary of English and non-English language; wide range of vocabulary in English and the non-English language, including high and low registers including high and low registers.
• Legal concepts and forensic terminology in both English and non-English language as specified.

Ability to:

• Orally convey the meaning from and into English and the applicable non-English language by interpreting in the simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation modes; the meaning must be conveyed accurately, not editing, summarizing, adding meaning, or omitting
• Concentrate and deliver accurate and complete interpreting services in a busy and fast-paced environment.
• Adjust to speakers with differing voices and accents at varying rates of speed.
• Adhere to California statutes, rules of court and applicable personnel rules concerning court interpretation.
• Travel within the county to offsite court facilities as needed for assignment.
• Interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to use office equipment, including computer, telephone, and copiers and/or transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation.

Process to Apply

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS These positions typically work in an indoor, courtroom and/or office setting. Typical duties require the ability to sit and/or stand and concentrate for extended periods; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; hearing to understand conversations when background noise is present and to communicate with the public and court staff. Working Environment: Work is performed in the courtroom and related court facilities and includes but is not limited to contact with judges, staff attorneys, and the public. The position requires the 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. Interpreters come into contact with a wide variety of people from differing educational and economic backgrounds. Work may include exposure to disturbing evidence and testimony. Graphic photographs of traumatic events such as murder or domestic violence, evidence such as syringes, drugs, chemicals, bodily fluids, and stained clothing. Tolerate exposure to allergens such as perfumes, dust, and various unpleasant odors such as unwashed clothing or persons or other materials.