COURT INTERPRETER SP & ENG/MUNICIPAL CRT ATTENDANT BI SP/ ENG COURT INTERPRETER SPANISH & ENGLISH

Definition

Under direction in a municipal court setting, interprets proceedings, hearings, interviews, and other municipal court related communicative events from English into Spanish and from Spanish into English; does other related duties.

Under direction attends the judge of the municipal court and/or makes proclamations and announcements, maintains order and security in and/or around courtroom, may swear in witnesses, serve papers issued from court, and may be responsible for safeguarding court property; provides the above services to the general population as well as that portion of the population whose basic language is Spanish; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• (These examples of work are to be performed by utilizing English and Spanish as required.)
• Interprets consecutively into Spanish questions by attorneys, pro se parties, or by the Judge, and consecutively interprets answers given in Spanish by defendants, parties, and witnesses into English.
• Sight translates Spanish or English documents as required during a proceeding, hearing, interview, or other municipal court-related communicative event.
• Requests of the municipal judge a clarification of statements made by the speaker, if necessary, when unable to understand them or express a word or thought.
• Operates interpreting equipment when performing simultaneous interpreting at proceedings.
• Interprets simultaneously when required at proceedings all statements made by the parties, Judge, attorneys, and witnesses.
• Collects data for the computation and submission of statistical records/reports regarding professional services delivered.
• Analyzes data from statistical records/reports regarding professional services delivered.
• Coordinates free-lance interpreting services for the Municipal Court.
• Interprets at interviews and other communications between municipal court personnel and parties, defendants, witnesses, and the public.
• Attends training aimed at maintaining/improving professional interpreting/translating skills.
• Produces translations into English of letters, legal documents, and other materials written in Spanish which are submitted to the Court.
• Proofreads documents translated by outside sources for accuracy.
• Maintains records of interpreting/translating activities.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• (These examples of work are to be performed by utilizing English and Spanish as required)
• Makes court proclamations and announcements as directed by the judge such as calling the court to order, calling trial lists, announcing postponements, and adjourning court.
• Prepares courtroom as to temperature and ventilation, may check the condition of courtroom and offices, and may take steps to prevent fire, theft, and other damage to property and equipment in and around the municipal court.
• Checks that counsel, municipal court clerk, court reporter, and other individuals are present before the judge leaves chambers.
• Attends the judge both on the bench and in chambers, answers telephone, and obtains law books, procedures, documents, and records.
• Observes suspicious persons or occurrences, takes action as needed, and reports significant actions, occurrences, and conditions.
• Provides information personally or by telephone to attorneys and other officials as to motion, adjournments, current status, or disposition of cases, or to individuals inquiring as to local geographing, provisions of the law, and other matters.
• Administers oaths to witnesses, court officers, or others.
• Executes bench warrants when issued by the court in the failure of a witness who has been subpoenaed to appear in court and who has failed to obey said subpoena.
• Assists in maintaining order and discipline among prisoners, searches prisoners, escorts prisoners, and subdues, restrains, and physically removes unruly individuals from courtroom.
• Provides first aid in cases of accidents.
• Provides assistance and protection for staff and other individuals in the municipal court.
• Prepares simple but clear reports of significant activities and conditions and maintains necessary records.
• Communicates with those who are not knowledgeable of both English and Spanish.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

Placement within the "conditionally approved" on the screening or certification test administered by the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts or certification by any state/federal agency recognized by the Administrative Office of the Courts as equivalent or superior to the screening or certification test administered by the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts.

SPECIAL SKILL

Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English and Spanish enough to perform the duties of this position.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Appointees may be required to be certified in the use of Firearms by the Police Training Commission of New Jersey.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

SPECIAL SKILL

Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English and Spanish sufficiently to perform duties of this position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters, Transliterators, and Translators and the Standards for Interpreted Proceedings.
• Knowledge of theory, methods, techniques, ethics, and standards of interpreting/translating.
• Knowledge of phonology, vocabulary, grammar, and dialectology of English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of methods, techniques, and procedures used in interpreting in the sight, simultaneous, and consecutive modes.
• Ability to operate interpreting equipment when performing simultaneous interpreting at proceedings after a period of training.
• Ability to understand and interpret legal terminology in English and the equivalents in Spanish.
• Ability to translate forms, letters, and other court-related documents from English into Spanish and from Spanish to English.
• Ability to interpret in sight, consecutive, and simultaneous modes for proceedings, hearings, interviews, and other court-related communicative events.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the court system protocol during court proceedings and in less formal court related interactions.
• Ability to keep clear, concise, and informative records and reports.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English and Spanish enough to perform the duties of this position.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG - MCK 09/01/04
• This job specification is for local government use only.
• MUNICIPAL COURT ATTENDANT BILINGUAL IN SPANISH & ENGLISH
• Knowledge of court practices, procedures, and techniques which are useful in maintaining order and security in the courtroom after a period of training.
• Knowledge of the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law.
• Ability to learn quickly from observation, oral and written explanations, and from demonstrations.
• Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversial matters arise.
• Ability to speak persuasively to persons.
• Ability to work harmoniously with associates and the public.
• Ability to deal courteously and effectively with varied types of persons.
• Ability to note significant facts and conditions by observations.
• Ability to preserve the dignity and order of the court.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to serve warrants and processes when necessary.
• Ability to note significant conditions and take the proper action in accord with the prescribed procedures.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English and Spanish sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG - CAH 8/22/96
• TITLE CODE FOR DUAL TITLE: LG-
• This job specification is for local government use only.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.