Foreign Language Interpreter Spanish

Summary

The Foreign Language (Spanish) Interpreter works in the Office of Court Interpreting Services in the Special Operations Division of the District of Columbia Courts. The incumbent is a certified court interpreter skilled to interpret court hearings, mediations, conversations, meetings, in-house training sessions, or other required/requested events between English and Spanish.

Duties

Brief Duties of the Position: Serves as a Spanish language interpreter (providing simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation services) in the courtroom and at any other judicial or quasi-judicial event that qualifies for interpreting services. Provides written translations of official court documents, judicial orders, correspondence, forms, and general public information between English and Spanish. Assists the Language Access Coordinator in hiring contract interpreters, analyzing cases requiring interpreting services for the purpose of identifying the type of interpreting services required and placing the appropriate type of interpreter in the assignment. Provides and organizes training programs and conducts orientation workshops for court staff, contract interpreters, and judicial officers. Speaks fluent English and Spanish with mastery of interpreting techniques to interpret simultaneously and consecutively accurately in court proceedings, conversations, meetings, mediations, or conferences with clarity and precision. Translates Spanish and English sufficient to render written translations with correct grammar, syntax, and spelling and has in-depth knowledge of legal terminology frequently used in the courts and ancillary agencies. Determines the appropriate, expedient, and logical course of action in accordance with policies and standard operating procedures of the Office of Court Interpreting Services and the Special Operations Division. Manages competing priorities and complex projects with multiple deadlines and provides excellent customer service. Supports the Language Access Coordinator in the overall management of the Language Access Program. Analyzes, recommends, designs, formulates, and implements new program policies, practices, and procedures.

Requirements

A background and security investigation is required. A probationary period of one year is required for all new Court employees. Ability to speak, interpret, read and write Spanish and English fluently.

Qualifications and evaluation

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the basic qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported by your resume. Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, or your application will not be considered. You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13013164

Education

To qualify based on education, you must upload a copy of your college transcript or degree for consideration. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, degree conferred date, a list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at the time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Benefits

This is not a federal position. The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation. Please click on the following for more information about these benefits: http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp The DC Courts leave policy is as follows: Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year. Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit. In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.

How to apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted with your application: Resume Completed Vacancy Questionnaire Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of high school diploma, GED certificate, college transcript or degree) Proof of Certification (e.g. copy of federal or state court interpreter certificate) Three (3) professional references

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service. Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees. All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.