Court Interpreter - Intermittent; Punjabi

CERTIFIED PUNJABI COURT INTERPRETER, INTERMITTENT

Bakersfield - 061. This recruitment is open continuous and may close at any time without notice. Must possess a valid certificate as a Court Interpreter in the State of California. Pay is based on the existing statewide interpreter policies: $45.34, $46.68, or $48.10 hourly.

Under general direction, the Court Interpreter Intermittent performs a wide variety of language interpretation activities for the Superior Court of California, County of Kern and parties to proceedings, including witnesses, defendants, attorneys, other court personnel, and the public. The position is non‑benefited and employment is for an undetermined period of time.

Instructions performed in the courtroom and other legal proceedings. Individuals must be certified as a Court Interpreter in the State of California.

• Court Interpreters provide access to justice for non‑English speakers in a variety of settings requiring fluency in English and a foreign language.
• Perform courtroom interpretation as assigned, interpreting simultaneously and consecutively for the court and for defendants, victims, witnesses, attorneys and other parties to the proceedings, as well as interpreting for other court‑related departments from English to a foreign language at the direction of the court.
• Interpret and translate the administration of oaths by the appropriate court officer to witnesses, plaintiffs, defendants, etc.
• Makes sight translations of documents for the benefit of the court, including, but not limited to technical, medical, and legal documents, written evidence and correspondence, reading written texts and giving oral translations of texts as well as other documents as requested by the court and related personnel.
• Interpret explanations of routine court procedures from attorneys and/or court staff for foreign‑language speaking persons in court.
• Interpret and sight translate at the counter as needed.
• Notify the Court of any issues or situations that may impede the interpreter's performance and/or ability to interpret and/or translate as assigned.

This classification works under general direction with responsibility for carrying out and explaining or interpreting existing court policies and procedures. The work is of moderate complexity, requiring attention to detail. Actions taken and decisions made include implementation of new techniques and procedures. Consequences of errors are moderate with errors in judgment or failure to achieve objectives potentially opening the court to mistrials and affecting the lives of parties involved.

• Possession of a valid certificate as a Court Interpreter in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License at the time of appointment.

Legal terminology; courtroom procedures; correct usage of grammar, spelling and punctuation of English and appropriate foreign language; interpreting techniques and ethics; and legal clerical office practices, procedures and policies.

Speak, read and write fluently in English and appropriate foreign language; translate orally in English and appropriate foreign language accurately, carefully not to edit, summarize, or add or omit meaning; remain impartial including during adversarial and emotionally charged situations; comprehend and retain dialogue in both languages at the same rate and in the same manner consistent with courtroom procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, witnesses, and other court personnel;

interact professionally and cooperatively with all others in contact with you during the course of work; use general office equipment such as computers, telephones and copiers as required by the assignment; use of transmitter and receiver equipment provided by the court for simultaneous interpretation as directed; understand and adhere to California statutes, Rules of Court, and learn and apply a variety of superior court procedures and practices;

adhere to interpreter ethics and standards, as stipulated in California Rules of Court, Rule 2.890; and follow written and oral instructions.