Western Regional Coordinator, Interpreter Services

Title: Western Regional Coordinator, Interpreter Services

Pay Grade: Grade 19

Starting Pay: $94,222.68

Departmental Mission Statement: The Language Access and Court Records Department includes the multidimensional operations of the Office of Language Access (OLA), Office of Transcription Services (OTS), and Office of Records Management (ORM), ensuring all laws, court rules, regulations, and standards for court programs and services are met, including but not limited to the Standards and Procedures of the Office of Language Access of 2021, and Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166 that strengthened Title IV in 2000, the Trial Court’s Uniform Transcript Format (UTF) of 2008, and the Supreme Judicial Court's Rules on records retention and trial transcriptions for fee generating appointments.
This Department provides statewide oversight of court programs and services relative to spoken language access to interpreters and translators for limited English proficient (LEP), and sign language or communication access real-time translation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals, and relative to access to administrative records and trial transcripts of digitally recorded court proceedings for the bench, the bar, the public, and self-represented litigants (SRL) to effectively access all aspects of the judicial system.

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 selected candidate will need to travel to and support courts in the following cities: Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Orange, Palmer, Westfield, Northampton, Easten, Hampshire and Hadley.

Position Summary: Working within the Court Language Access and Court Records Department of the Office of Court Management, the Regional Coordinator of Interpreter Services coordinates assignments and the performance of duties that ensure individuals with limited English proficiency are provided with interpreter services as directed by the Manager of the Office of Court Interpreter Services.

• These responsibilities include coordinating the assignment of interpreters to various court divisions within a specific region, serving as the point of contact and as on site supervisor in collaboration with the language access liaison within a specific region to sustain the progress of court proceedings by providing language access resources.
• The Regional Coordinator of Interpreter Services performs supervisory and administrative duties under the direction of the Program and Training Manager of OCIS and may also perform interpreting services as required.  
• Acts as the liaison between the Court Language Access and Court Records Department and all Trial Court Departments in coordinating and executing regional language access trainings in assistance with the Program and Training Manager;  
• Addresses any discrepancies with interpreters arising from assignments and service to the courts;  
• Travels throughout the Commonwealth's Trial Court Departments and Divisions; and   Performs related duties as required

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from the Program and Training Manager of OCIS or his or her designee in performing duties in accordance with all best management practices and established guidelines.   

Duties: Supervises all aspects of interpreter service to the courts within a specific region, participates in the coordination of interpreter assignments for language access resources and other Support Services staff as necessary to assist with the Trial Court divisions and court offices, and reports to the Program and Training Manager of OCIS.  

• Supervises the services of interpreters that are scheduled to serve individuals with limited English proficiency and the Trial Court divisions and court offices.  
• This position is responsible to travel to courts throughout the Commonwealth and report to the Program and Training Manager with regard to interpreters on assignment and language access assistance within a specific region.
• This position will support the Trial Court Interpreter Services Office.  
• Provides advanced interpreter services support and language access assistance to the Trial Court divisions and court offices within a specific region.  
• Observes interpreters in service and makes recommendations to the Program and Training Manager for improvements in the courts and future trainings to ensure that needs are met;  
• Working with the Program and Training Manager, develops and implements regional language access and interpreter service adjustments and improvements as needed;            
• Participates in the review of interpreter assignments, supervises and evaluates interpreter performance, and makes recommendations to the Program and Training Manager for promotion to higher level positions;  
• Responsible for the implementation of the OCIS Standards and Procedures and Trial Court's Language Access Plan;  
• Responsible for the supervision and observation of interpreters providing service within the assigned regional courts and ensures interpreters sign in and out and complete all assignments;  
• Reviews interpreters service to ensure their performance is within the OCIS Standards and Procedures, their position requirements, and expectations of the courts, and reports to the Program and Training Manager any recommendations and concerns;  
• Develops and maintains a roster of interpreters assigned to each regional court and reports to management any interpreters that need to be reassigned, retrained, or removed;  
• Provides direct supervision and guidance to the interpreters within the assigned regional courts;  
• Prepares monthly interpreter review reports and compiles regional statistics submitted by interpreters and the courts;   
• Acts as liaison between the Support Services Department and all Trial Court Departments;  
• Responsible for the delivery of outstanding interpreter services and language access to all court users;  
• Ability to interpret in the simultaneous mode and the consecutive mode in court related proceedings.  
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely interpreter records including, but not limited to, data entry and data collection to generate monthly or other statistical interpreter reports as needed.  
• Ability to establish work priorities for court interpreters and to work independently.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with personnel at all levels, including judges, and to maintain effective working relationships;  
• Ability to serve the public and specifically individuals with limited English proficiency and others with business before the court in a courteous and professional manner.  
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, including the ability to perform work and communicate with court personnel in a highly visible and public setting.  
• Ability to regularly travel to courts throughout the Commonwealth;  
• Must possess a general understanding of the operations of the Massachusetts Trial Court and the Office of Court Interpreter Services.      

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 Trial Court.
• Mission: Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court, OCIS, and Support Services missions.
• Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates program management skills and the ability to innovate and drive enhancements and efficiencies in language access and interpreter services;
• Problem Solving: Accurately assesses service and programmatic related 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 Regional Coordinator of Interpreter Services:  

• A Bachelor's degree, plus four (4) years of service as a court interpreter or an equivalent combination of education and experience;   Supervisory experience is preferred;  
• Fully proficient in English and a second language, preferably Spanish.  
• Applicants are required to pass the State and/or National Court Interpreter Certification test as a prerequisite for appointment to this position.
• Certification pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 221C through the Office of Court Interpreter Services is a requirement.  
• Ability to supervise court interpreters and coordinate interpreter services and resources in a respective region and/or regions, as necessary.