$3,000 Sign-On Bonus

About Certified Interpreter Careers

Court Interpreters provide consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation services between English and Spanish that are accurate and unbiased in matters that are pending before the court for those who do not speak fluent English. Court Interpreters may work with either witnesses or defendants to interpret everything that is said while preserving the same tone and connotation as the original language without adding or deleting anything from the conversation.

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Why Choose a Career with the Judicial Branch

We are looking for dedicated and talented team members to join us in embracing the mission of providing safe, fair and impartial justice under the law. View all open positions.

Be a part of the 4th largest trial court in the U.S.
Be a part of the 4th largest trial court in the U.S.
Help serve the needs of Maricopa County
Help serve the needs of Maricopa County
Grow with the Judicial Branch
Grow with the Judicial Branch
Serve the Community
Serve the Community

About Our Benefits

More About Benefits
10 Holidays & 1 Floating Personal Day
10 Holidays & 1 Floating Personal Day
Minimum 3 weeks Vacation Time and 5 days Sick Leave
Minimum 3 weeks Vacation Time and 5 days Sick Leave
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Up to $5,250 Annual Education Reimbursement
Up to $5,250 Annual Education Reimbursement
Retirement-Related Programs
Retirement-Related Programs
3 Pet Insurance Options
3 Pet Insurance Options
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Free 24/7 Fitness Centers
Free 24/7 Fitness Centers
Life Insurance
Life Insurance
Commuter Transportation Options
Commuter Transportation Options
Disability, Legal Plans, and EAP
Disability, Legal Plans, and EAP
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation

Candidate Qualifications

Education

High School diploma

Experience

Two (2) years of professional interpreting experience in a position defined as an official interpreter in the English/Spanish language preferably in a municipal, general jurisdiction or United States District Court; or in a medical environment in a clinic or hospital; or experience as an escort interpreter or conference interpreter for a government official or dignitary.

OR

Combined education and experience qualifications

Post-secondary education in Spanish, Latin American studies, Mexican American studies, or related Translation/Interpretation program may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Specialized training, certifications, and/or other special requirements

  • Effective with the implementation of the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program, courts are required to have current staff interpreters credentialed at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level as of June 30, 2019.  Any new court employee providing services hired after June 30, 2017, will be required to hold an Arizona credential at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level.
  • In the event a credentialed candidate is not available at the time of recruitment, the court shall require the new employee to become credentialed at the Tier 3 or Tier 4 level within 24 months of their date of hire.  http://www.azcourts.gov/interpreter/Arizona-Court-Interpreter-Credentialing-Program

Preferred Candidate

  • Post-graduate education in Interpreting e.g. M.A. from Middlebury (formerly Monterey) Institute of International Studies, the University of Maryland.
  • B.A. from the University of Arizona in Mexican American Studies or Spanish in which a certificate of completion has been granted in Court Interpreting or any comparable academic program with a concentration in Translation and Interpreting.
  • A specialized certificate from a post-graduate program in conjunction with a degree.
  • Experience as a professional interpreter in a general or limited-jurisdiction court.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

  • Written and spoken English and Spanish at an in-depth level and familiarity with the various socio-dialects of both languages.
  • Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in all three modes of interpretation:  simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation.

Skill

  • Verbally communicating with others to convey information accurately and effectively.
  • Time management and organizational techniques.
  • Completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.

Ability

  • Interpret and translate from Spanish to English and vice versa.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  • Effectively communicate both in written and verbal form.
  • Work with confidential and sensitive information.
  • Multitask and cope with a high volume of work in a time-critical environment.

Essential Job Tasks

This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.

  • Interprets simultaneously and consecutively from English to Spanish and Spanish to English during court interviews, hearings, and proceedings.
  • Makes sight translations during interviews, hearings, and court proceedings of documents such as court petitions, reports, notices, and agreements.
  • Performs case-related and law-related research to prepare for in-court interpreting appearances.
  • Maintains caseload, updating department as to movement of case, based on individual assignment.

Working Conditions

In-person and virtual appearances before a court of law, utilizing electronic equipment to facilitate intervention among participants (judicial officers, attorneys, parties, witnesses, and other individuals, taking into account the pragmatics of a judiciary setting without disrupting the proceedings held).  Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department and may require travel to various locations throughout Maricopa County.   

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak clearly and hear; see details of objects that are less than a few feet away; sit for long periods of time; stand, walk, use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally push, pull or lift up to 20 pounds.

Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County.  This position may be reassigned to other court locations.  Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department.

Additional Information

Judicial Branch Human Resources reserves the right to move forward candidates based on the information provided directly on the application. The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. 

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to the midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances. 

All Judicial Branch offers of employment and continued employment are contingent upon passing a thorough background and/or fingerprint check. Applicants must completely and fully answer any questions regarding felony and misdemeanor convictions including any convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Failure to include criminal history information is grounds for termination of an offer and employment. A conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant. 

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County participates in the State Retirement systems ASRS or PSPRS. As such, mandatory membership for all full-time employees includes payroll deducted contributions consistent with each retirement system's requirements. The current contribution rate for ASRS is 12.27% and the current contribution rate for PSPRS is 5.84% and up for the defined contribution plan and 8.82% for the defined benefit plan. For more information about contributions and benefits of these plans visit https://www.azasrs.gov/ or https://www.psprs.com/corrections-officer/

Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County.  This position may be reassigned to other locations.  Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department.

The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. 

Have a question for us?

Jennifer Fish

Human Resources Director

Contact the Human Resources Department