Job Description

Court Interpreter (Intermittent)

The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, invites applications from qualified individuals certified by the State of California as a Court Interpreter who are interested in working on an intermittent or as-needed basis to perform a wide variety of interpreting and translating activities for the Court, and for persons doing business with the Court; and to perform other job-related duties as required. The Court is accepting applications for the following languages:

• Cantonese - Mongolian
• Dari - Portuguese
• Farsi - Spanish
• Hindi / Urdu - Tagalog
• Mandarin - Vietnamese

This selection process is being conducted in accordance with San Francisco Superior Court Personnel Rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.

Final Filing Date: Continuous. Compensation: $41.3269 - $50.2286 hourly (for more than four hours per day)* $45.8729 - $55.7537 hourly (for an a.m. only or p.m. only assignment, or a night court only assignment)* *On any day worked, the Court Interpreter is paid for a minimum of four hours per day.

Position Overview:

• Interprets from and into English and the applicable non-English language using simultaneous and consecutive modes at court proceedings and for other court-related departments at the direction of the court.
• Makes sight translations for the benefit of the court of documents including, but not limited to, court petitions, reports, waivers, felony disposition statement forms, and other documents.
• Interprets for judges, attorneys, court staff, and other court-related departments at the direction of the court.
• Interprets between languages in court proceedings.
• Brings to the court's attention any items that may impede the interpreters' performance.
• Researches and understands legal terminology used in court and functions of the court.
• Receives daily calendar assignments from the San Francisco Superior Court Interpreter Supervisor and accurately completes daily activity logs or other documentation as required.
• Performs other language interpretation duties as assigned, such as providing sight translation of short documents.

Work is performed in an office and courtroom environment; continuous contact with judges, staff, attorneys, litigants, community groups, and the general public. Physical Requirements: Sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods and frequently walk, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination as required for the specific language used; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication, litigants and the public; use of office equipment as required by the assignment.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid certificate as a "Certified or Registered Court Interpreter" issued by the Judicial Council of California on behalf of the State of California. Information on how to become certified/registered is available at
• One year of the equivalent of full-time experience acting as an interpreter-translator in a courtroom or in a business environment.
• At least 45 court days or parts of court days experience in providing interpreter services to the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, in a calendar year.

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and functions used in court.
• Correct usage of grammar, spelling and punctuation of English and the language being interpreted.
• Interpreter ethics, standards and techniques.
• Legal clerical office practices, procedures and policies.

Ability to:

• Orally convey the meaning from and into English and the applicable non-English language by interpreting in the simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation modes. The meaning must be conveyed accurately, not editing, summarizing, adding meaning, or omitting.
• Convey the meaning of the text from and into English and the applicable non-English language by written translation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, witnesses, other court personnel, supervisors and co-workers.
• Learn and apply a variety of court procedures and practices.
• Follow instructions.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals must apply online and include a valid email address where the applicant can receive future correspondence regarding the position. Applicants must submit ALL the following items:

• * Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, online employment application (fully completed).
• * Resume.
• * Copy of the applicant's State of California certification as a Court Interpreter.
• * One-page cover letter explaining why the applicant is interested in the position, and briefly describing the experience and education applicable to the position.

The online application, resume, cover letter, and copy of the State of California certification as a Court Interpreter are very important to the selection process. It is recommended that applicants review the information in this announcement and on the application very carefully. Once the application has been submitted, it cannot be corrected, changed or resubmitted.

Selection Process:

Initial Screening:

Complete application packages will be evaluated to determine if the applicants meet the minimum qualifications. Only those applicants who are determined may best meet the needs of the Court may be interviewed. Not all applicants will receive an interview.

Oral Interview:

If necessary, selected applicants may be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, abilities, and skill levels in job related areas.

Qualified applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should complete the relevant section on the employment application.

Other Appointment Information:

Employment is subject to security clearance. Any false statement or omission of material fact may cause forfeiture of employment. Information presented on employment applications, resumes, and attachments, and during the selection process is subject to verification. Employees are prohibited from engaging in activities which conflict with the interests of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.

Immigration laws require that all employees hired after November 6, 1986, must provide proof of work eligibility. At the time of appointment to a position, all applicants must possess a valid Social Security number and will be required to present original documents which verify citizenship or legal alien status as well as identity (such as a social security card and driver's license, or a green card and driver's license, or a valid U.S. passport).

The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be favored or discriminated against because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, union activity, political affiliation, or other non-merit factor.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs