Extra Help Court Interpreter - Spanish
Extra Help Court Interpreter - Spanish
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$ 339 - 389
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Description
Under supervision performs a wide variety of language interpretation activities on an assigned and asneeded basis for the California Superior Trial Courts and for persons doing business with the courts. This includes but is not limited to verbal interpreting/translating of questions testimony arguments written and legal documents and other courtroom proceedings for defendants judges counsel jurors witnesses and others.
Examples of Duties
- Interprets from and into English and the applicable nonEnglish language using simultaneous and consecutive modes at court proceedings.
- Makes sight translations of documents for the benefit of the court.
- Interprets for judges attorneys court staff and other justicerelated partners.
- Interprets court procedures to nonEnglishspeaking persons at the direction of Court management.
- Researches and understands terminology used in legal proceedings.
- Performs other interpretive duties as assigned.
- Accurately completes daily activity logs or other paperwork as required.
- Travels within the County.
Employment Standards
- Possession of a valid Certificate as a Certified Court Interpreter issued by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California in the language of Spanish OR
- Registered as a Court Interpreter by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California in the language of Spanish AND
- A valid California Class C drivers license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out jobrelated duties.
- Ability to orally convey the meaning from and into English and the applicable nonEnglish language by interpreting in the simultaneous consecutive and sight translation modes.
- Ability to accurately convey meaning without editing summarizing adding meaning or omitting ability to interpret impartially.
- Ability to use correct grammar and vocabulary of English and nonEnglish language specified.
- Knowledge of culture and customs of the groups and communities using specified language.
- Ability to use office equipment including computer telephone calculator copiers fax and assistedlistening devices as required by the assignment.
- Knowledge of and adherence to all 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
Supplemental Information
Become an Interpreter
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a court interpreterSpoken language court interpreters interpret in civil or criminal court proceedings (e.g. arraignments motions pretrial conferences preliminary hearings depositions trials) for witnesses or defendants who speak or understand little or no English. American Sign Language interpreters interpret for all parties who are deaf or hard of hearing in all proceedings. Court interpreters must accurately interpret for individuals with a high level of education and an extensive vocabulary as well as for persons with very limited language skills without changing the language register of the speaker. Interpreters are also sometimes responsible for translating written documents often of a legal nature from English into the target language and from the target language into English.
2. What do court interpreters doCalifornia court interpreters have an important job in the courtroom: they interpret court proceedings for witnesses and defendants with limited English skills or for parties who are deaf or hard of hearing. The position requires strong memory and communication skills. Court interpreters shift between two different languages in real time accounting for different types of speech and grammar. They also know legal terms and commonly used courtroom forms and reports.
3. Are court interpreters in demandVery much so. According to a recent study more than 200 languages are spoken in California. Of the states 36 million people about 20 percent speak English less than very well. Thats almost 7 million Californians who would need help from an interpreter if they found themselves in court.
4. What does it take to become a court interpreterFirst interpreters need to be fluent in both English and a second language. Right now court interpreters can be certified in the following 13 languages:- American Sign Language
- Arabic
- Armenian (Eastern)
- Armenian (Western)
- Cantonese
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
Court interpreters:- Interpret speech and text from English into a second language and back again in real time. The interpretation must be accurate without any editing summarizing omissions or change in meaning
- Maintain good working relationships with judges attorneys other court personnel supervisors and coworkers
- Understand a variety of court procedures and practices
Although there are no minimum requirements that must be met in order to apply to take the state certification test applicants are encouraged to complete formal collegelevel course work and training in both languages and modes of interpreting before applying for the examination. At present there are colleges and universities throughout the State of California that offer introductory courses and certificate programs in interpretation or translation (see: However most of these are for English/Spanish. We encourage you to contact the schools and request information about their programs. For the other languages the following selfstudy techniques are suggested: 1 expand your vocabulary 2 develop your own glossaries and 3 develop interpreting techniques. Suggested skillsenhancing exercises are available to help you develop three interpreting techniques: 1 consecutive interpretation 2 simultaneous interpretation and 3 sight translation.
6. What is the difference between a certified and a registered interpreterOnly interpreters who pass the Court Interpreter Certification Examination or the required exam for American Sign Language and fulfill the corresponding Judicial Council requirements are referred to as certified interpreters. Currently there are certification examinations for 13 designated languages: American Sign Language Arabic Eastern Armenian Western Armenian Cantonese Japanese Korean Mandarin Portuguese Russian Spanish Tagalog and Vietnamese.
Interpreters of spoken languages for which there is no statecertifying examination are required to pass the English Fluency Examination and fulfill the corresponding Judicial Council requirements in order to become a registered interpreter of a nondesignated language.
7. What happens when a previously nondesignated language is designated for certificationCertifications may change periodically depending on the results of studies of language use in the courts. When a language is designated for certification there is a transitional period in which a new certification exam is developed and registered interpreters are given time to meet the requirements for certification.
8. What has the Judicial Council determined to be the requirements for becoming a certified court interpreterAs approved by the Judicial Council on July 7 1994 court interpreters must meet the following requirements for certification:- Pass the Court Interpreter Certification Examination or the Specialist Certificate: Legal exam for American Sign Language offered by an approved testing entity;
- File for certification with the Judicial Council;
- Pay the annual $100 fee;
- Attend a Judicial Council Code of Ethics Workshop; and
- Submit proof of 30 hours of continuing education and 40 assignments of recent professional interpreting experience every two years.
- Pass an English Fluency Examination offered by an approved testing entity;
- File for registration with the Judicial Council;
- Pay an annual fee of $100;
- Attend a Judicial Council Code of Ethics Workshop;
- Attend a Judicial Council Orientation Workshop; and
- Meet the requirements developed for court interpreters regarding continuing education and professional experience.
11. Is certification required to become an American Sign Language InterpreterThe Judicial Council also has the authority under California Evidence Code section 754(f) to designate testing entities for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. The council has determined that a qualified ASL interpreter is one who holds the following certificate:- Specialist Certificate: Legal issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) (see What is the job market like for court interpretersThere is a great demand for certified court interpreters in areas with large immigrant populations. Most court interpreters work as freelance or per diem interpreters meaning that they are hired by the day or the half day rather than being permanent employees of the trial courts. Some trial courts however have permanent positions for court interpreters. A freelance interpreter must be willing to travel from one trial court to another perhaps even from one county trial court system to another to be assured of fulltime work. Court interpreters are generally paid by the whole or half day. Currently court interpreters are paid $312.32 a day and $172.88 for a half day. Trial court systems that have permanent positions for court interpreters pay a minimum full time starting salary of $81203 per year.
13. How do I contact the Court Interpreters ProgramPlease direct further questions to our tollfree numberor send an email to or visit our website at:
Employment Type
Temp
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