Interpreter Pro Tempore (IPT) - Spanish

Fresno Superior Court; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fresno Superior Court is seeking a qualified Court Interpreter to provide language interpretation for proceedings, witnesses, defendants, attorneys, and the public. The role involves consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation as needed, and requires accuracy, impartiality, and familiarity with legal terminology.

Responsibilities include reviewing dockets, communicating with judges and court staff, and performing related interpretation tasks.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Certified Court Interpreter Certificate or court interpreter registration.
• Ability to interpret English and the non-English language in simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation modes.

Responsibilities

• Interpret courtroom proceedings and for court-related departments.
• Provide sight translations of documents for the court.
• Interpret for judges, attorneys, court staff, and other court personnel.
• Notify the court of issues or situations that may impede performance.
• Research terminology and functions of the court.
• Review daily docket and complete daily activity logs.

Skills

Simultaneous interpretation

Consecutive interpretation

Sight translation

Legal terminology

Impartiality

Professional conduct

Education

Court interpreter certificate

Tools

Court interpreting equipment

Job description

Below is the website with information on becoming a court certified Interpreter:
https://www.courts.ca.gov/7996.htm

This classification is paid in half day rates (up to 4 hours) and full day rates (up to 8 hours).

Step 1: $46.50 hourly (Half Day) and $41.94 hourly (Full Day)

Definition

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.

Distinguishing Characteristics

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.

Typical Tasks

Essential Functions (Illustrative only)

• 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.
• Makes sight translations of documents for the benefit of the court 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.
• Notifies the court of any issues or situations that may impede the interpreters' performance.
• 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.
• Reviews the daily docket and receives daily calendar assignments from the Trial Court Interpreter Coordinator (or other) 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certificates

A valid Class 'C' driver's license, or the equivalent, or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Required / Minimum Qualifications

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.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• 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.
• Correct usage of grammar and vocabulary of English and non-English language specified, provided the source language speaker is using correct grammar and vocabulary.
• The ability to interpret accurately and remain impartial including in adversarial and emotionally charged situations.
• Knowledge and understanding of legal concepts and forensic terminology in both English and non-English language(s).
• Familiarity with the general range of regional and cultural variations in the specified language. Ability to conduct ongoing research into variations in terminology and usage of the specified language.
• Ability to use office equipment, including computer, telephone, and copiers, as required by the assignment. Use of transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation.
• Ability to understand and adhere to California statutes, Rules of Court, and applicable personnel rules concerning court interpretation.
• Knowledge of and adherence to interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court Rule 984.4, Professional Conduct for Interpreters.
• Ability to interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• 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.
• Correct usage of grammar and vocabulary of English and non-English language specified, provided the source language speaker is using correct grammar and vocabulary.
• The ability to interpret accurately and remain impartial including in adversarial and emotionally charged situations.
• Knowledge and understanding of legal concepts and forensic terminology in both English and non-English language(s).
• Familiarity with the general range of regional and cultural variations in the specified language. Ability to conduct ongoing research into variations in terminology and usage of the specified language.
• Ability to use office equipment, including computer, telephone, and copiers, as required by the assignment. Use of transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation.
• Ability to understand and adhere to California statutes, Rules of Court, and applicable personnel rules concerning court interpretation.
• Knowledge of and adherence to interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court Rule 984.4, Professional Conduct for Interpreters.
• Ability to interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.

Request for Reasonable Accommodations:

The Superior Court of California, County of Fresno is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department at [phone] or via email at [e-mail]. Individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments may also contact Human Resources for this position through the use of the California Relay Service by dialing 711.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

In order to safeguard our employees, their families, court users and the community, the Fresno Superior Court is implementing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policyfor its workforce. As of November 19, 2021 all court personnel are required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Candidates who have been given a conditional job offer for employment will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Personnel may request an accommodation for medical reasons or because of sincerely held religious beliefs. The Court will review requests for reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis consistent with the law and its existing procedures. The policy is issued as an emergency measure, pursuant to the authority conferred by California Government Code section 71634.1(b). The policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.