Court Interpreter - Suffolk County

Title: Court Interpreter Series - Suffolk County

Pay Grade: Grade 17

Starting Pay: $79,771.83

Departmental Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Trial Court Language Access and Court Records Department is responsible for overseeing court programs and services related to spoken language access to interpreters and translators for the limited English proficient (LEP), low literacy court users, and American Sign Language (ASL) or Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals with court matters. The office also provides access to administrative records and trial transcripts of digitally recorded court proceedings for the bench, the bar, the public, and pro se, self-represented litigants (SRL).

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/language-access-court-records-department

Notes: This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6. 

The posting will be used to fill various positions based on location and language need.

**New hires for Interpreter positions are required to either have the NCSC Interpreter Certification of successfully complete the NCSC Interpreter Certification program during the first 3 years of employment. Failure to pass the written and oral certification examinations during the first 3 years of employment shall result in separation from employment. 

Interpreters must have the ability to travel to court locations in Suffolk County.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Applicants with existing NCSC Certifications encouraged to apply. 

Position Summary: Employees are hired at the entry level position title and are eligible for reclassification to the higher level position titles within this series consistent with the specifications for the higher level positions.  The position title reverts to the entry level when there is a vacancy.  
Court Interpreter I - This is the entry level position title within the series. Employees are expected to perform the full range of entry level duties and to train for the next higher level.  
Court Interpreter II - This is the second level position title within this series. Employees at this level are expected to perform higher level duties which require more advanced language proficiency, greater knowledge of court policies and procedures, and the ability to exercise more independent judgment.  

POSITION SUMMARY: Court Interpreters serve as certified staff interpreters who interpret legal proceedings for non-English speaking persons involved in court matters in accordance with regulations established by the Office of Court Interpreters (OCIS).  The position title above the entry level requires the performance of more complex and varied work. Employees are hired at the entry level position title and are eligible for reclassification to the higher level position title within this series consistent with the specifications for the higher level position title.  The position title reverts to the entry level when there is a vacancy.

Supervision Received: Receives moderate direction from the Manager of Interpreter Services of the Trial Court and her/his designee and is evaluated for professional soundness and conformity to policy and established procedures.

Duties: Court Interpreter I Duties:
• Interprets simultaneously and consecutively for defendants, witnesses, and victims in court, for persons seeking assistance in court or from Probation Officers, for persons filing petitions, for prosecutors and for defense attorneys in interviewing defendants, witnesses, parents, plaintiffs, or victims, and for persons completing forms as specified in section 8.01 of the Standards and Procedures of the OCIS.
• Produces initial drafts of translations of official forms, documents, public signs, letters and correspondence and other written material from English into a specified foreign language and vice versa as needed by OCIS.
• Attends ongoing training provided or funded by OCIS or the Trial Court as part of continuing education requirements. Maintains records of interpreting and translating activities.
• Must be willing to travel to the various divisions of the Trial Court as determined by the Manager, Court Interpreter Services.
• Performs related duties as required.
Court Interpreter II Duties:
• Translates and review translations of official forms, documents, public signs, letters and correspondence and other written material from English into a specified foreign language and vice versa as needed by OCIS.
• Oversees the activities of all interpreters assigned to them by OCIS, including supervising their interpreting and translating activities within his/her work unit.
• Performs linguistic evaluations of per diem interpreters assigned to them by OCIS, including determining deficiencies, progress, and training needs.
• Performs various training activities, including determining subjects/topics for training, developing training materials and serving as a trainer.
• Performs various public relations activities such as addressing other agencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:  

• Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Human Resources Department and the Trial Court.
• Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Support Services Department missions.
• Applied Knowledge Demonstrates language proficiency, interpreter skills, and understands court policy and procedure.
• Problem Solving Accurately assesses interpreter problems in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.
• Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
• Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
• Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of cross cultural awareness and diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.  

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Court Interpreter I:
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field, plus a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in legal, technical, medical, literary translation and/or interpretation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fully proficient in English and a foreign language. With Cross-cultural awareness.
• Applicants are required to pass the State Court Interpreter Certification test as a pre-requisite for appointment to this position.
• Certification pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 221C through the Office of Court Interpreter Services is an absolute requirement.
• Ability to interpret in the simultaneous mode and the consecutive mode in court related proceedings.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely records including, but not limited to, data entry and collection of data.
• Will generate monthly or other reports as needed.
• Ability to establish work priorities and to work independently.
• Ability to serve the public and others with business before the court in a courteous and professional manner.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to perform work and communicate in a highly visible and public setting.
• Ability to travel to court locations.
• Must have a valid Massachusetts Driver's License or possess or have access to other reliable methods of transportation.
• Must possess a general understanding of the operations of the Massachusetts Trial Court.

Court Interpreter II Requirements:
• A minimum of four (4) years’ service as a Court Interpreter I.
• Advanced interpreter skills, advanced language proficiency, and an advanced understanding of and ability to explain of court proceedings.
• Must exhibit full compliance with the Interpreter Code of Professional Conduct.