Interpreter

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, in Tucson, seeks a full-time, permanent court interpreter (Spanish–English) in the Tucson Clerk's Office. The role involves interpreting in court, translating documents, and providing remote services via TIP, with travel within Arizona as needed.

Applicants must hold a Court Interpreter Certification (Spanish) and have two years of specialized experience. Court experience is preferred; duties include voucher processing and potential outside-court

Qualifications

• Must hold Court Interpreter Certification (Spanish) issued by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts with proof.
• Proficient in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, sight translations, and document translation.
• Two years of specialized court interpreting experience (JSP-13) preferred.
• Preference given to candidates with actual court experience.

Responsibilities

• Interpret in consecutive and simultaneous modes during courtroom proceedings.
• Translate documents and correspondence to and from the court.
• Assist with processing vouchers for contract interpreters.
• Provide remote interpretation services via TIP.
• Interpret outside of court for ancillary matters as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Court interpreting

Consecutive interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation

Sight translation

Document translation

Professional demeanor

Interpersonal skills

Education

Court Interpreter Certification (Spanish)

Tools

TIP (Telephone Interpreting Program)

Job description

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.

• 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.

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.

Eligibility for Non-Citizens

• 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.

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.