Court Interpreter – Certified (Spanish) 22011644

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in English; the source language, or a closely related field or, any equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training in the fields of interpretation, translation, linguistics, or education

• Certified Court Interpreter by the Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program (CICRP) of the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA), Florida State Courts System; Biennial Renewal and Continuing Interpreter Education (CIE) Compliance Requirement

• Two years of court/legal related experience

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License

• Ability to travel to locations throughout the circuit as assigned to provide interpreter services

SUMMARY

Under supervision, Court Interpreters perform a wide variety of language interpretation activities on an assigned and as-needed basis for the 20th Judicial Circuit Courts, and for persons doing business with the courts circuit-wide. Incumbents perform duties as an interpreter for courtroom and other legal proceedings, which may include, but are not limited to, arraignments, preliminary hearing, pre-trial conference, and court trials.

Primary responsibilities include: 1) Interpreting the spoken and written word from and into English and Spanish languages; 2) Translation and Documentation; 3) Research and Development; 4) Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

1) Interpreting the spoken and written word from and into English and the applicable non-English language

• Interprets accurately and completely between English and the Spanish using the three modes of interpretation; simultaneous interpretation, consecutive interpretation, and sight translation

• 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 other documents

• Provides interpretation services for complex and evidentiary types of events such as in-court proceedings, trials, arraignments, hearings, court conferences, plea-bargains or related in-court functions

• Provides interpretation services in complex and evidentiary court and other court-related matters for judges, attorneys, court staff, and other justice-related partners

• Provides interpretation services for complex and evidentiary matters in an impartial manner without regard to the content of the communication in accordance with accepted methods of practice and standards as prescribed by the Code of Professional Conduct as found in Rule 14.3 of the Florida Rules of court and Professional Ethics and the Role of the Court Interpreter for the State of Florida

• Interprets based on personal experience and training and knowledge of the language (including idioms and regional phrasing, appropriate language matches for legal and general terminology, numbers names dates and register/style)

• Notifies the court of any issues or situations that may impede the interpreters' performance

• May provide telephonic interpretation services or assistance where required

• Travel throughout circuit providing interpreting services as assigned

• Travel for trainings and/or testing, meetings as necessary

2) Translation and Documentation

• Translates electronic and paper documents and recorded materials presented in court from a source language to a target language

• Reviews the daily docket via a personal computer and receives daily calendar assignments

• Accurately completes daily activity logs, or other documentation utilizing databases, spreadsheets, and other sources as required

3) Research and Development

• Utilizes the internet and other resources to remains current in reference information resources, such as vocabulary in legal, medical, and other areas, different cultural features, or local and world events

• Researches and understands terminology used in legal proceedings which may include, but not limited to legal, technological, scientific, and/or medical terminology

• Prepare for interpreting to ensure an accurate interpretation by researching specific regional dialects and/or unique cultural differences

4) Performs other duties as assigned

• Assists with scheduling and coordination

• Assists with compiling and tabulation of state mandated statistical reporting

• Responds to customers inquiries, as needed

• Assists with miscellaneous tasks as directed by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of:

• English and Spanish languages at a level that allows their idiomatic and native-like usage

• Courtroom procedures, legal processes, and methods of courtroom interpreting

• Spanish and English legal, medical, and business terminology, and the ability to learn and translate new terminology with accuracy and rapidity

• The use of cultural nuances, regional variations, idiomatic expressions, and colloquialisms in both working languages

Ability to:

• Rendering precise simultaneous and consecutive interpretations and translations in English/Spanish and Spanish/English

• Concentrate and deliver interpreting services under demanding and noisy circumstances

• Speak with proper pronunciation, diction, and intonation in English and non-English languages

• Continue learning social, technological, and legal terminology and changes that affect language; Conserve intent, tone, style, and utterances on both working languages

• Comprehend various regional accents and/or dialectical difference in both working languages

• Transcribe and translate Spanish and English and manipulate both languages in their formal and informal registers. Must be able to use correct grammar, spelling, and diacritical marks in both languages; and produce clear, neat, and accurate translations that are the legal equivalent of the source language

• Efficiently and effectively utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and other software programs used in conjunction with interpreter services such as produce written translations and data entry for statistical record keeping

• Efficiently and effectively utilize electronic video/audio recording/playing devices;

• Communicate effectively with a wide variety of court personnel, judges, coworkers, directors, attorneys, and the general public

• Interact professionally and cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work

• Travel to locations throughout the circuit as assigned to provide interpreter services

• Maintain the Certified status through OSCA, at your own expense

• Attend meetings and training as required

• Work as a team member and as an individual

• Maintain consistent and regular attendance, which is required

• Work the required hours, other shifts, holidays, and weekends

• Provide effective, accurate, professional, polite, friendly, and prompt customer service to the public and other agency personnel, AOC employees, and the Judiciary

• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in English; the source language, or a closely related field or, any equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training in the fields of interpretation, translation, linguistics, or education

• Two years of court/legal related experience

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License

• Certified Court Interpreter by the Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program (CICRP) of the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA), Florida State Courts System; Biennial Renewal and Continuing Interpreter Education (CIE) Compliance Requirement

• Two-year Certification requirements are not paid by the AOC and are at the employee's own expense

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None