Current Job Opportunity

The essential function of the position within the organization is to interpret legal proceedings for non-English speaking or hearing-impaired persons 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 of the Trial Court Administrator.

Specific Duties:

Responsible for receiving and tracking all interpreter requests.

Coordinates and assists with daily language interpreting and translation services of all languages.

Interviews prospective contract interpreters/translators and makes determination of qualifications.

Oversees activities of independent contractors; participates in development of contracts for contractor services.

Collect data on interpreting activities for all contractors to report to Court Administration.

Receive, verify and process invoices for interpreting services provided by contractors. Evaluate contractors performance.

Communicate with court and judicial staff to coordinate interpreter services and remote interpreting needs.

Examples of Other Work Performed:

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

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.

Collects and inputs data for statistical purposes concerning the number and type of interpreting tasks performed.

Remains current in reference information resources, such as vocabulary in legal, medical, other areas, different cultural features, or local and world events.

Assists with miscellaneous tasks such as on-the-job training for interns as directed by supervisor.

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

Two years of court or legal related experience.

Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis, excluding supervisory experience.

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

Requires valid certificate as a certified court interpreter issued by the Florida State Courts System’s Office of the State Courts Administrator.

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. The one-year requirement may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis, if necessary; but, only in exceptional circumstances. See Fla. R. Court. Interp. 14.205(c).

This is an anticipated vacancy.

*Salary will include a Competitive Area Differential (CAD) pay additive amount of $163.83 monthly.

*Salary will be 10% below minimum if not certified.

Understanding of legal terminology preferred.   

Experience in the State Courts system is preferred.

An application addendum is required for final applicants. 

A thorough criminal and civil background check will be conducted on all final applicants.

Position open until filled.

Position not available until middle of March 2024.

Submit a current and complete online State Employment Profile Application through the People First State of Florida Jobs website, view the State Courts System page at http://jobs.myflorida.com/.

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. When using the People First State of Florida Jobs website to apply and assistance is needed with using the system, contact the People First Service Center by phone at 1-866-663-4735.

For additional information about this job opportunity contact Paula Watkins by phone at 850-606-4422.

To learn more about the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Florida visit the website at http://2ndcircuit.leoncountyfl.gov/.

The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex or gender, religion or creed, national origin, age, marital status, genetic, disability, or political opinions or affiliations.

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

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

Persons using a TTY or TDD may call the contact person through the FLORIDA RELAY SERVICE: Voice is 1-800-955-8770, TDD is 1-800-955-8771, NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE is 711.