Supervising Court Interpreter

Description

• Bachelor's Degree in Spanish, Linguistics, or a related field or, any equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training in the fields of interpretation, translation, linguistics, or education;
• Three years of related experience, including two years managerial/supervisory experience
• 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
• Certification requirements are not paid by the AOC and are at the employee's own expense
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License (within 10 days of hire)

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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
• Provides Video Remote Interpreting via Polycom, Zoom or any other platform used by the Court where required
• Travel throughout circuit providing interpreting services as assigned
• Travel for trainings and/or testing, meetings as necessary
• 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

• Participates in recruiting, selecting, and evaluating interpreter qualifications;
• Provides orientation and training to staff and contract interpreters;
• Supervises the work of staff and contract interpreters at one or more court locations;
• Oversees day-to-day operations of the department;
• Establishes expectations and provides performance feedback to interpreters on an on-going and annual basis;
• Provides leadership, coaching, counseling, and performance planning.
• Schedules, reviews, and evaluates the work of subordinates to ensure compliance with statutory, policy, and procedural requirements;
• May make recommendations for continuing education based on interpreting proficiency reviews;
• Takes charge, effectively delegates tasks and directs or coordinates work assignments for staff and contract interpreters; anticipates the needs and makes necessary adjustments within department in a timely manner;
• Conducts staff meetings; provides meeting agendas and minutes;
• Oversees Video Remote Interpreting via Polycom, Zoom or any other platform used by the Court and provides training to the judiciary, court personnel and interpreters as needed.

• Maintains a list of contract interpreters of all languages available for daily contract work;
• Oversees the coordination of all requests for interpreter services;
• Ensures the planning, assignment, and redeployment of staff and contract interpreters to meet the changing needs of the court, using the most efficient and cost-effective method;
• Engages the services of contract interpreters through approved contract and fiscal procurement methods and maintains contractor files;
• Oversees the assignment and completion of translation projects;
• Maintains all interpreter usage statistical data and submits periodic reports on the use of court interpreters and other reports as needed;
• Reviews and approves staff time reports; recommends action on time-off requests; maintains accurate and timely attendance records;
• Attend meetings as needed
• Audits work procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance with applicable legal authority; prepares policy and procedural memoranda and manuals; compiles and prepares section status reports and workload statistics;
• Interprets policies, procedures and requirements to staff and contract interpreters through staff meetings, bulletins, instructions, procedures and other means; informs staff of policy and procedural changes;
• Works collaboratively with interpreters to develop and maintain a team-oriented work environment; discusses the resolution of work issues and concerns; engages staff in developing recommendations to assist interpreters in effective performance of their duties and responsibilities and to improve the delivery of language services to meet court needs;

• Oversees, reviews, and approves expenditures for contract interpreter services within contractual agreements in a timely manner;
• Supervises the processing of contract interpreter vouchers;
• Reviews and authorizes contract interpreter payments using established approval methods;
• Reviews and approves expenditures within budget;
• Participates in budget development, monthly report reviews, and maintains compliance;

• Performs all functions required of a Certified Court Interpreter;
• Assesses equipment needs and prepares service requests and recommendations;
• Reviews purchase orders and requisitions;
• Performs other court-related duties as needed

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Florida statutes, rules of court, and other requirements applicable to the provision of court interpretation and translating services;
• 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;
• 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;
• Desktop computers using software products to produce written translations and data entry for statistical record keeping

• Render precise simultaneous and consecutive interpretations and translations in English/Spanish and Spanish/English;
• 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;
• Schedule, write, analyze data, and create/maintain statistical reports;
• To efficiently and effectively utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and other software programs used in conjunction with interpreter services;
• Organize and coordinate work schedules to meet deadlines;
• Work with staff, contractors, and other court personnel;
• Communicate effectively with a wide variety of court personnel, judges, coworkers, directors, attorneys, and the general public;
• To efficiently and effectively utilize electronic video/audio recording/playing devices.

Supplemental Information

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Spanish, Linguistics, or a related field or, any equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training in the fields of interpretation, translation, linguistics, or education;
• Three years of related experience, including two years managerial/supervisory experience

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License (within 10 days of hire);
• 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;
• Certification requirements are not paid by the AOC and are at the employee's own expense