Civil Court Interpreter

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County!  

• Interprets spoken statements simultaneously and consecutively from one language into another in court proceedings, hearings, functions, and related interviews. Answers to and interprets for specialized or assigned functions, as required. Translates documents, forms and other related materials used in court proceedings and County departments. Transcribes and translates court/departmental documents from English to Spanish.
• Receives and processes interpreter requests. 
• Maintains calendar for scheduled appointments. 
• Schedules and coordinates with outside agencies to secure interpreters proficient in languages other than Spanish. 
• Provides training of new contract interpreters, as required. 
• Creates and maintains service records of activities and participants. 
• Prepares reports and statistics.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Spanish, Education, Linguistics, Communications, Liberal Arts, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND three (3) years directly related interpreting or translating experience, including one (1) year experience in court interpreting.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed Court Interpreter issued by the Texas Judicial Branch Commission to interpret court proceedings.

Preferred:

• Master Licensed Court Interpreter issued by the Texas Judicial Branch Commission.
• Interpret accurately in the Spanish Language and Spanish to English in civil and family court proceedings.
• Listen attentively for long periods of time in a court environment.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Prior knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and court decorum.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Attention to details a must. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Issues and terminology of interpreter/translator profession.
• Fundamentals of court interpretation.
• Guidelines of judiciary interpreters/translators.
• Standard practices and ethical standards in interpreting/transliterating.
• Methods of expressive and voice interpreting/transliterating and their applications (e.g., Simultaneous and Consecutive).
• Legal terminology, procedures and court decorum.
• Civil and Family Court proceedings.
• Computer software applications, including word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, graphics and other related packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Fluent in Spanish and English in both verbal and written communications. 
• Coordinating and prioritizing the work and activities of a Court Interpreter Office. 
• English language vocabulary.
• Dealing with attorneys and self-represented litigants. 
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.

Ability to:

• Interpret accurately from one language into another in court proceedings.
• Listen attentively for long periods of time.
• Prepare accurate and complete records, reports and statistics.
• Manage time well and perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Perform in a stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner.
• Continue professional growth through continuing education.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside departments, other county employees and officials, attorneys, children, judges and the general public.

Working conditions may be determined by the situation requiring interpreting and may vary from the usual office or meeting room environment. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-10 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to reaching, twisting, handling and walking to perform the essential job functions. Involves contact with clients in possible stressful situations.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Salary : $58,113