Court Interpreter 1/Court Interpreter 2 (Spanish)

New Jersey Courts•Paterson, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Passaic Vicinage is seeking a Spanish Court Interpreter with exposure to the legal environment and technical competence in court interpreting. Depending on qualifications and position availability, the selected candidate may be placed at the conditionally approved/trainee, journey, or master level. Trainees interpret proceedings of limited legal significance or linguistic complexity and prepare draft court-related documents. Journey-level interpreters interpret legal proceedings and may translate court-related documents. Master-level interpreters interpret complex legal proceedings and translate court-related documents. Under the General Operations Division Manager and/or designee, the interpreter provides interpretation and translation services for court proceedings, quasi-judicial hearings, dispute resolution events, and other court-related events, in person or through telecommunication devices. The role also includes administrative and scheduling support for interpreting services and ongoing study and training to maintain professional skills. Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function. The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid schedule, and the position may qualify for up to two remote-work days outside Judiciary buildings, subject to program requirements including high-speed home internet and installation of a multifactor authentication app on a phone or tablet. Newly hired employees must complete a thorough background check, including fingerprinting, and newly hired Judiciary employees generally must establish and maintain principal residence in New Jersey within one year, subject to the stated exemption process. U.S. citizenship is not required, but the selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

Must be an interpreter approved by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
AOC approval requires passing the National Center for State Courts written and performance oral exams administered by the AOC, an equivalent test administered by a member state of the National Center for State Courts, or the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Exam administered by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
Must pass the AOC translation test before translating documents.
Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with all levels of Judiciary staff.
Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, commitment to customer service, and dedication to professional development.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
A valid New Jersey driver’s license is required only if operating a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties.
Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
Newly hired Judiciary employees must establish and maintain principal residence in New Jersey within one year, unless an exemption is granted.

Responsibilities

Interpret in sight, consecutive, and simultaneous modes during court proceedings, quasi-judicial hearings, dispute resolution events, and other court-related events, in person or through a telecommunication device.
Translate court-related documents, either in draft or final form, including official forms, public signs, notices, posters, form letters, and correspondence.
Provide introductory information about the interpreter’s role to self-represented parties and attorneys requiring interpreting services.
Assist court employees and others with scheduling interpreting services.
Collect and enter data into automated record-keeping systems.
Orient and schedule contract interpreters.
Participate in individual or group study and training to develop and maintain interpreting and translating skills.
Perform general administrative and office-support functions for the interpreting unit.
Perform related duties as required.