JOB DEFINITION
Under general supervision, schedules interpreters to provide verbal interpretation and written translations of courtroom and other proceedings; coordinates the assignment of on-call and/or per diem certified interpreters; assists in the preparation of legal documents; and provides related technical and administrative support as required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES include, but are not necessarily limited to:
• Arrange for interpreters to provide translation services for a wide variety of court-related activities.
• Coordinate the assignment of interpreters as well as on-call and/or per diem certified interpreters.
• Arrange for the translation of written materials and documents.
• Provide technical support to the court and to interpreters.
• Initiate and maintain court contractual agreements with interpreters.
• Recommend, develop and implement procedures for coordinating interpreter resources and monitor requests for interpreting services.
• Coordinate and verify with interpreters that defendants, counsel, judges, witnesses and others have a clear and accurate translation of verbal interaction and written materials involved in court proceedings.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding interpreter program activities and services.
• Collect and maintain interpreter program data and record systems.
• Assist in determining the need for and obtaining interpreter services.
• Ensure compliance with ethical codes and rules regarding confidentiality of information.
NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:
• Correct use of the English language including spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Court legal and administrative procedures, processes and terminology.
• Code of ethics and rules of confidentiality applicable to certified court interpreting.
• Resources available in providing certified court interpreter services.
Skills and Abilities:
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
• Coordinate on-call interpreter assignments.
• Operate standard office equipment
• Utilize word processing and calendar/electronic communication software
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Use independent judgment
• Maintain the confidentiality of court-related records
• Accurately perform duties with attention to detail
• Read, understand and apply state statutes, local ordinances, local court rules and procedures pertaining to interpreter services.
• Prioritize, maintain, and coordinate a heavy workload
• Interact with legal professionals, paraprofessionals and the public in a respectful manner
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying, including the knowledge of legal administrative procedures and legal terminology. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities required for the position would be:
Education: High school graduate or equivalent
Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of court administrative support experience that provided familiarity with court interpretive services programs. Two years of college (60 semester hours) may be substituted for one year of experience.
Driver’s License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license may be required for some positions
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use dexterity and coordination utilizing hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use a computer keyboard, view a computer monitor, handle files, single pieces of paper, stacks of papers, and reference and other materials; reach with hands and arms; and stoop and kneel. Hearing and speaking are needed to listen effectively and to talk with individuals in person and by phone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability of adjust focus.
The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and move from place to place within the office. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and reach for items above and below desk level. Lifting of objects weighing in excess of 25 pounds will require team lifting. The noise and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy business office.
Normal business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Over-time may occur occasionally.
Benefits Packages
Yolo Superior Court employees are valued. The court offers an excellent benefit package, as described as follows:
• Employer picks up Employee’s contribution to CalPERs retirement (approximately 8% of gross for a 2.5% at 55 plan) after 5 years of continuous employment.
• All employees participate in Social Security, Medicare and State Disability Insurance.
• The Court offers health insurance of which the court pays the following: Employee only: $411.09, Employee +1: $821.68, Employee + 2 or more: $1067.84.
• In-lieu of health insurance program
• Generous contribution to dental and vision insurance
• 457 deferred compensation plan options
• Sick leave earned at eight hours per month
• A flexible spending account is available for qualifying medical or dependent expenses.
• The Court provides a $10,000 life insurance policy and a $10,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy for employees at no cost. Employees may purchase additional coverage for themselves and dependents.
• New employees earn 80 hours of vacation per year and are eligible to use vacation after working for 13 pay periods. The vacation accrual rate increases to 120 hours after three years of employment.
• Additional benefits include up to 16 hours of floating holiday leave, 13 paid holidays and an employee assistance program.
Recruitment Process
To be considered for this position, job applicants are required to submit the following by the deadline of Noon on November 10, 2009:
• A completed official court application;
• Answers to the Supplemental Questions on the last page of this announcement;
Human Resources and/or an applicant-screening committee will review applications. Applicants who are successful in the application-screening phase may move on to the examination phase. A panel of subject-matter-experts will conduct a structured oral interview. Eligible job applicants will be notified by phone or letter of the date and location prior to scheduling for the examination.
Applicants who are successful in progressing to the final phase of consideration may be asked to come in for a second interview and complete a work product test. Reference checks are required for applicants being considered for selection. After an offer of employment is extended, a drug screen and background check are required.
Yolo Court application forms are available on the Court’s Web site, www.yolo.courts.ca.gov
or may be picked up from the Human Resources Department at 601 Court Street, Woodland CA, 95695. Application materials may be mailed to P.O. Box 1290, Woodland CA, 95776 or dropped off at the Human Resources Department. Additionally, application materials may be emailed to humanresources@yolo.courts.ca.gov or faxed to 530-406-6883. Application materials must be completed, signed, and received by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. If emailing or faxing, please follow up with the original application within three business days after the final filing date. For more information contact Human Resources at 530-406-6881.
Required Supplemental Questions
Responses to these Supplemental Questions must be completed and submitted together with the required Court application form. Clarity, conciseness and completeness of answers are factors considered in the selection process. Your answers to these four (4) questions will be used to evaluate your writing skills as well as your experience and qualifications for this position. Please place your name and the job designation “Rec. #09-09 Interpretive Services Specialist” on each page.
1. Please provide a brief description of your experience performing legal or administrative work that you believe qualifies you for the Interpretive Services Specialist position.
2. Describe your experience coordinating and scheduling critical services for an organization. Please identify the software programs and specific techniques you utilized to ensure services were available when needed.
3. How would you describe your communication style? Please describe an experience where you had to adjust your communication style due to an unforeseen difficulty or deadline.
4. Please indicate your level of experience with the software systems identified below
Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Court case management system (or equivalent), Other (please
List)
- Managing activities and career growth of 20+ “welfare to work” type job trainees
- Conducting weekly one on one meetings
- Developing Individual Development Plans
- Performance management
- Counseling individuals on life skills (hygiene, drug abuse, budgeting money) and work habits
- Maintaining attendance records
- Evaluating trainee skill sets
- Helping program participants develop resumes
- Assist program participants in job placement after program graduation
The eligible list established will be used to fill full-time, part-time, limited term and extra help positions as they occur. Currently, there is one (1) full-time vacant position.
Education:
One year of public health and clinical nursing experience.
Experience/Training:
A Bachelor’s degree is required in Nursing from a nursing school accredited by the National League for Nursing or equivalent.