COURT INTERPRETER - 22011989

The essential function of the position within the organization is to interpret legal proceedings for non-English speaking individuals to ensure due process. The position is responsible for interpreting the spoken or written word from a source language to a target language, translating court evidence to a target language, testifying as an expert witness regarding accuracy of translated documents or tapes, and collecting statistical data. The position works under direct supervision according to set procedures. The position requires travel to provide services to all the three counties of the circuit as needed.

Examples of Work Performed

Listens to speakers’ statements during regular court proceedings and prepares interpretations or interprets statements simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages.

Translates documents and recorded materials presented in court from a source language to a target language.

Provides interpreting services for court appointed psychological evaluations and competency evaluations.

Maintains message content, context, and style as much as possible during interpreting process.

Testifies as expert witness regarding accuracy of documents translated for court proceedings.

Bachelor’s degree in English, the source language, or a closely related field.

Two years of court or legal related experience. 

Additional relevant experience may substitute for the recommended educational level on a year-for-year basis.

This position is open to any Florida certified, provisionally approved, or registered interpreter and requires proof of Florida court interpreter certification.

Working knowledge and understanding of simultaneous, consecutive, sight and tape translation techniques and procedures.  Working knowledge and understanding of the court’s legal system.  Interpreters are required to be familiar with the Florida Rules for Certification and Regulation of Spoken Language Interpreters and must adhere to the interpreter Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Ability to fluently speak, read and write in Spanish and English. Ability to work independently in a high stress environment. Incumbent must be professional in all regards.

Applicants who are selected as court interpreters, but who are not certified at the time of court employment, must become certified within one year of being employed in a court interpreting position.

Salary will be 10 % below minimum if not certified.

The Florida State Court System (SCS) is not responsible or authorized to pay for the costs associated with becoming a certified interpreter.

The Florida State Courts System offers a comprehensive selection of State of Florida employee benefits: membership in the Florida Retirement System, optional enrollment in a subsidized Health insurance plan, optional enrollment in Life, Dental, and Disability insurance plans, and paid $25,000 term life insurance.  For more information on the benefits available to State of Florida employees visit: http://www.myflorida.com/mybenefits/.

The Florida State Courts System is a criminal justice agency.  The successful applicant will be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check.  Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check.

In accordance with Section 110.205(2)(c), Florida Statutes, positions with the Florida State Courts System (judicial branch) are not covered under the Career Service System.  All employees of the Florida State Courts System are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and do not attain tenure rights.

Submit a current and complete online state employment application at the People First State of Florida Jobs website jobs.myflorida.com/go/State-Courts-System/2814300/ for State Courts System including a cover letter and resume.

An application must be submitted for the position listing the appropriate class title and position number for which you are applying. Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.

For assistance with using the People First System contact the People First Service Center at 1-866-663-4735.

For additional information contact Debra Marchant at 904-255-1022

To learn more about the Florida State Courts System visit its website www.flcourts.org.

To learn more about the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida visit its website https://www.jud4.org/

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, or disability.

We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please call the contact person at the number indicated for each respective position.

Persons using a TDD may call the contact person through the Florida Relay Service 711 or 1-800-955-8771.