Description

SPANISH LANGUAGE

(Full-time, Part-time and Intermittent)

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT UNTIL FILLED

Court Interpreters performs a wide variety of language interpretation activities on an assigned and as needed basis for the Superior Courts of California and for parties to proceedings, including witnesses, defendants, attorneys, other court personnel, and the public.

*MUST BE CERTIFIED BY THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL *

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISITICS: This is a single 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 also perform sight translation (reading written texts and giving an oral translation of text) as needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Courtroom coordination, assignment and evaluation given by the Courtroom Services Manager.

Essential Functions

(Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.)

1. 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.
2. Makes sight translations for the benefit of the court of documents including, but not limited to, court petitions, reports, waivers, felony disposition statement forms, and short documents introduced as evidence.
3. Interprets for judges, attorneys, court staff, and other court-related departments at the direction of the court.
4. Notifies the court of any issues or situations that may impede the interpreters' performance.
5. Researches and understands terminology used in court and functions of the court which may include but not be limited to legal, technological, scientific, and/or medical terminology.
6. Reviews the daily docket and coordinates with Courtroom Services Management to determine which courts and proceedings require an interpreter and accurately completes daily activity logs or other paperwork as required.
7. Performs other language interpretation duties as assigned, such as providing general court information at an information counter to the non-English speaking public and filing documents related to interpretation
8. 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.
9. Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
1. Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Correct usage of grammar and vocabulary of the language pair specified, provided the source language speaker is using correct grammar and vocabulary.
Legal concepts and forensic terminology in both English and non-English language(s).
Adherence to interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court Rule 984.4, Professional Conduct for Interpreters.
Familiarity with the general range of regional and cultural variations in the specified language.

Skill/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.
Interpret accurately and remain impartial in adversarial and emotionally charged situations.
Ability to conduct ongoing research into variations in terminology and usage of the specified language.
Use office equipment, including computer, telephone, and copiers, as required by the assignment including use of transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation.
Interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Experience: Ability to perform consecutive language pair translations as demonstrated by certification (see certification requirement)

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.
Possession of a valid Certificate as a “Certified Court Interpreter” issued by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California, or registered as a Court Interpreter by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California.

Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS: The demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly Required to:

Stamina to sit and/or stand and concentrate for extended periods
Corrected hearing and vision to normal range.
Contact with judges, staff, attorneys, and the public
Twist and bend neck
Travel to various court divisions
Concentrate and deliver interpreting services in a busy and fast-paced environment
Adjust to speakers with differing voices and accents at varying rates of speed.
Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs.
Potential exposure to people with illnesses

Frequently Required to:

Tolerate a moderate noise level

Occasionally Required to:

Tolerate mild exposure to dust

Tulare County Superior Court

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