OCJ - Court Interpreter (Spanish)

CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
JOB DESCRIPTION

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 polici es.
• 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.
• R egistered interpreters preferred; candidates actively pursuing certification with the AOIC are encouraged to apply.
• High school diploma or GED certificate; college degree preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel to all Circuit Court of Cook County courthouses , places of holding court, and court annexed locations; access to personal transportation required.
• Proficiency in the use of a smart phone, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and internet browser.

Post-Employment Minimum Qualifications:

• Within 18 months of hire, certification by the Illinois Supreme Court or the certifying body of a sister state recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court, as a foreign language Court interpreter ; or
• Within 18 months of hire, inclusion as a “certified interpreter” on the Court Interpreter Registry maintained by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

Physical Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an interpreter to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: talk and hear
• Standing for long periods of time, walking throughout courthouse, sit, and use hands and feet.
• Position requires extended concentration and remote assignments may require prolonged screen time and headset use.
• communicate clearly on the telephone and other devices and with the public and other staff.
• use a telephone, keyboard, and video display terminal.
• lift and/or move objects up to 15 pounds such as files, stacks of papers, reference materials.
• intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies
• perform simple grasping and fine manipulation

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.  Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the  Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page .

Revised: June 1, 2026