Credentialed Court Interpreter (Spanish)

Skagit County; Mount Vernon (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Skagit County seeks a Credentialed Court Interpreter to provide accurate interpretation between Spanish and English in Superior and Juvenile Courts. You will coordinate interpreter needs for in-person, remote, and hybrid proceedings and deliver precise translations of official documents.

Requirements include credentialing by the Washington State AOC, 3 years of interpreting experience (court setting preferred), and proficiency in legal terminology and ethics. No supervisory duties are involved.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be credentialed as a Spanish interpreter by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ professional interpreting experience required, with at least one (1) year in a court setting preferred.
• Experience with legal document translation preferred.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., linguistics, Spanish, legal studies) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate interpretation between Spanish and English for Superior and Juvenile Courts.
• Coordinate interpreter needs for in-person, remote, and hybrid court proceedings.
• Provide accurate written translations of correspondence and official documents as directed.
• Serve as Interpreter Coordinator; manage interpreter requests and schedule services for spoken languages and ASL.
• Maintain interpreter records and data for reporting and payment purposes.
• Attend meetings related to court interpreting as directed.
• Perform administrative support tasks related to court interpreting.

Skills

Spanish-English interpretation

Simultaneous & consecutive

Sight translation

Confidentiality & ethics

Court interpreting experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor’s degree in linguistics, Spanish, legal studies

Tools

Court technology systems

Job description

Provides accurate interpretation between Spanish and English for the Superior and Juvenile Courts while maintaining strict confidentiality and adherence to professional interpreter ethics and standards. Performs office support tasks related to coordinating and scheduling other interpreters for court proceedings and court-managed services.

• Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3, ($34.97/hr. - $37.46/hr.), dependent on qualifications.
• Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 10 total steps (top step $46.52/hr.). The Credentialed Court Interpreter is range 15 of the General (Non-Union) salary schedule.

Provides simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation for judicial officers, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and other court participants during court proceedings and other court-managed services.

Coordinates interpreter needs for in-person, remote, and hybrid court proceedings.

Provides accurate written translations of correspondence and official documents as directed. Reviews and edits written translations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper use of legal terminology.

Serves as Interpreter Coordinator; manages all interpreter requests and responds to all interpreter-related inquiries; schedules and coordinates interpreter services for spoken languages and American Sign Language (ASL) for court hearings and related proceedings; schedules court facilitator appointments for Spanish-speaking clients; maintains interpreter spreadsheet; keeps judicial officers and staff informed on status of pending interpretation needs.

Maintains records and transmits required data to the Administrative Office of the Courts for statistical tracking, reporting, and payment purposes.

Attends meetings related to court interpreting as directed.

Performs administrative support tasks related to court interpreting and other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

SUPERVISORY:

This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May assist with the development of interpreter scheduling processes and administrative procedures.

May provide coverage for related administrative or front counter functions as needed. May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be credentialed as a Spanish interpreter by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ professional interpreting experience required, with at least one (1) year in a court setting preferred.
• Experience with legal document translation preferred.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., linguistics, Spanish, legal studies) preferred.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Court procedures and practices in criminal and civil proceedings.
• Interpreter ethics, standards of practice, and professional conduct.
• Advanced Spanish and English language structure, grammar, pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, and legal terminology.
• Simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation techniques.
• Standard office practices, scheduling, and recordkeeping systems.

REQUIRES THE ABILTIY TO:

• Interpret accurately in a legal setting in the mode required by the setting (i.e., simultaneous, consecutive, or sight).
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality at all times.
• Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Work independently while exercising sound judgment and decision-making.
• Maintain composure and professionalism in stressful or emotionally charged environments.
• Operate office equipment and court technology systems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, attorneys, staff, and the public.
• Adapt to changing schedules, workloads, and courtroom demands.
• Analyze, prioritize, and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS:
Must be credentialed by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts as a Spanish language interpreter.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed in courtrooms, offices, and other legal settings. Requires prolonged periods of sitting or standing and intense concentration during interpretation sessions. Frequent movement between courtrooms and offices may be required.
Hazards:
Danger of physical harm may occasionally be present in the courtroom.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: [phone].

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.