Court Interpreter (Grade 13)

Yuma County•Yuma, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is advertised from the minimum to the mid-point hourly rate. Salary will be determined based on education and experience at the time of offer. Applications are sought on behalf of the Superior Court in Yuma County. Yuma County Human Resources does not review any applications submitted for this position. All applications are forwarded to Superior Court Human Resources in Yuma County. NATURE OF WORK Performs simultaneous and consecutive Spanish language translation and interpreter services for Yuma County Superior and Justice Courts; translates documents and written materials as needed.

Requirements

An Associate degree in a foreign language, sign language, Business or Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or closely related field; AND three (3) years of progressively responsible experience interpreting and translating Spanish to and from English that includes six (6) months of translating in a legal environment or closely related duties; OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Effective with the implementation of the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program, courts will be required to have current staff interpreters credentialed at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level by June 30, 2019; any new court employee providing interpreting services hired after June 30, 2017, will be required to hold an Arizona credential at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level.
In the event a credentialed candidate is not available at the time of recruitment, the court shall require the new employee to become credentialed at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level within 24 months of their date of hire.
Additionally, as of July 1, 2017, courts will be expected to show a preference for those interpreters who are credentialed whenever contracting with freelance interpreters.
This classification requires the applicant to pass criminal background checks.
A valid Arizona State Driver’s License may be required.
Arizona Committee on Judicial Education and Training (COJET) yearly accreditation is required.
Knowledge of applicable State of Arizona statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, applicable Federal rules and requirements.
Knowledge of Yuma County and Superior Court Policies and Procedures.
Knowledge of Superior Court in Yuma County- Rules of the Judicial Merit System and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
Knowledge of English and Spanish languages, including vocabulary, grammar, phonology and dialects.
Knowledge of statutes, ethics and standards of professional interpreting and translating.
Knowledge of methods, techniques, and procedures used in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
Knowledge of legal terminology, court operations and procedures.
Knowledge of rules and regulations regarding jury activity and courtroom behavior.
Skills in interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Skills in working under pressure in a dynamic work environment with changing demands and priorities.
Skills in communicating effectively in both spoken and written forms in English and Spanish.
Skills in explaining court interpreting procedures in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner to attorneys, litigants, and the public.
Skills in interpreting in the simultaneous, consecutive and sight translation modes.
Skills in translating English and Spanish documents.
Skills in analyzing issues and making sound recommendations for solutions.
Skills in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.
Skills in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with court employees, and the public.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Current Arizona credential at Tier 3 or Tier 4 level.

Responsibilities

Simultaneously and consecutively interprets testimony, questions and answers during court proceedings, including ancillary interviews, works with justice agencies, defendants, witnesses, and others as needed.
Makes sight translations during interviews, hearings and court proceedings of documents such as court petitions, reports, notices and agreements.
Translates Spanish and English written materials such as court orders, notices, petitions, legal documents, letters, trial documents, and agreements.
Reviews translations and verifies accuracy.
Performs case-related and law-related research to prepare for in-court interpreting.
May assist with coordinating interpreter services and evaluating performance of interpreters.
Collects data on interpreter services and prepares reports as needed.
Updates and maintains a variety of files, records, statistics and related documentation.
Abides by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
Performs related duties as required or assigned.