Court Interpreter- Pro Tempore - Bakersfield, United States - Superior Court of California, County of Kern

Description

CERTIFIED SPANISH COURT INTERPRETER, PRO TEMPORE (IPT)

Bakersfield - 032

This recruitment is open continuous and may close at anytime without notice. Must posses a valid certificate as a Court Interpreter in the State of California.

Pay is based on the existing statewide interpreter policies.

A. $42.77 hourly

B. $44.04 hourly

C. $45.38 hourly

Under general direction, the Court Interpreter Pro Tempore perform a wide variety of language interpretation activities on an assigned and as needed basis for the Superior Court of California, County of Kern and for parties to proceedings, including witnesses, defendants, attorneys, other court personnel, and the public.

The Court Interpreter Pro Tempore position is a non-benefited position and employment is for an undetermined period of time.


Distinguishing Characteristics:
This classification performs duties as an interpreter in the courtroom and in other legal proceedings. Individuals appointed to this classification must be certified as a Court Interpreter in the State of California.

Essential Functions

• Court Interpreters provide access to justice for non-English speakers in a variety of settings requiring fluency in English and a foreign language.
• Performs courtroom interpretation as assigned, by interpreting simultaneously and consecutively for the court and for defendants, victims, witnesses, attorneys and other parties to the proceedings, as well as interpret for other court-related departments from English to a foreign language at the direction of the court.
• Interprets and translates the administration of oaths by the appropriate court officer to witnesses, plaintiffs, defendants, etc.
• Makes sight translations of documents for the benefit of the court, including, but not limited to technical, medical, and legal documents, written evidence and correspondence, reading written texts and giving oral translations of texts as well as other documents as requested by the court and related personnel.
• Interprets explanations of routine court procedures from attorneys and/or court staff for foreign language speaking persons in court.
• Interprets and sight translates at the counter as needed.
• Notifies the Court of any issues or situations that may impede the interpreters' performance and/or ability to interpret and/or translate as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications


Judgment and Responsibility:

This classification works under general direction with responsibility for carrying out and explaining or interpreting existing court policies and procedures.

The work is of moderate complexity, requiring attention to detail to detect and adjust for changes from normal standards. Actions taken and decisions made include implementation of new techniques and procedures.

Consequences of errors are moderate with error in judgment or failure to achieve objectives may open the court to mistrials and affect the lives of parties involved.

Employment Standards:

• Possession of a valid certificate as a Court Interpreter in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License at the time of appointment.

Knowledge of:

legal terminology; courtroom procedures; correct usage of grammar, spelling and punctuation of English and appropriate foreign language; interpreting techniques and ethics; and legal clerical office practices, procedures and policies.

Ability to:

speak, read and write fluently in English and appropriate foreign language; translate orally in English and appropriate foreign language accurately, careful not to edit, summarize, or add or omit meaning; remain impartial including during adversarial and emotionally charged situations; comprehend and retain dialogue in both languages at the same rate and in the same manner consistent with courtroom procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, witnesses, and other court personnel; interact professionally and cooperatively with all others in contact with during the course of work; use general office equipment such as computers, telephones and copiers as needed and required by the assignment; use of transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation as directed; understand and adhere to California statutes, Rules of Court, and learn and apply a variety of superior court procedures and practices; adhere to interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court, Rule 2.890; and follow written and oral instructions.

For more information on how to become a Court Interpreter and to obtain a valid certificate, please click on the link below:

Selection Procedures

All applicants are required to submit an online application through Government Jobs. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.

Status Notifications:
You will be notified by email through the site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with and If your email address should change, please update your profile at

Applicants are welcome to apply online using the computer terminal at our Main office located on the second floor at 1415 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, California We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m., and closed during Court holidays.