Manages and directs the work of language interpreters and provides accurate and clear interpretation services between English and the target (foreign) language in cases for the courts and probation departments of the Colorado Judicial Department.  Members of this class have attained the interpreter certification credential from the Colorado Judicial Department’s Court Interpreter Certification Program (or hold a Federal Interpreter Certification credential) and are in good standing with the with the Colorado Court Interpreter Certification Program.  Employees in this class must maintain such certification throughout their employment with the Colorado Judicial Department. 

Positions in this classification are distinguished from other classifications by the professional language certification achieved through the Colorado Judicial Department’s Court Interpreter Certification Program.  Positions in this classification may require occasional travel.

 

This classification is distinguished from a Court Interpreter II classification due to the supervisory responsibility for 1.0 or more interpreters.  If supervisory responsibility is not present, the employee must spend 50% or more time managing and directing interpretation work assignments.  Managing Court Interpreters may perform these duties in more than one judicial district.  Managing Court Interpreter positions will be allocated in accordance with the Interpreter Staffing Allocation Policy.  Supervision is received from the Chief Judge or the Court Executive.

Manages and directs the work of professional interpreters. Establishes expectations and provides performance feedback to interpreters on an on-going and annual basis. Evaluates staff interpreter proficiency and the proficiency of free-lance interpreters by reviewing and supervising interpreters work product or delivery of services. May make recommendations for continuing education based on interpreting proficiency reviews.

 

Participates in recruiting, selecting, evaluating interpreter qualifications and in terminating employees from the interpreter unit.

 

Provides professional linguistic assistance and demonstrates a high level of proficiency and knowledge of linguistic idioms, regional phrasing, appropriate language matches for legal and general terminology and provides guidance to subordinate interpreters on linguistic usage.

 

Provides mentoring, coaching, direction or training to existing staff interpreters or free-lance interpreters and may serve as liaison or advisor for bilingual court or probation staff. May conduct examinations of interpreter skills.

 

Arranges interpreter coverage of all hearings, proceedings or conferences needing interpretation services. Assigns and schedules work of staff interpreters or free-lance interpreters and maintains lists of free-lance interpreters for other languages to ensure coverage for all linguistic and interpretation needs of the courts or probation.

 

Provides high-quality interpretation for interpreter assignments by interpreting accurately and completely between English and the interpreter’s working foreign language. Utilizes the three modes of interpretation in accordance with accepted methods of practice and standards as prescribed by the Colorado Judicial Department Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters. Fills in for interpreters by providing interpretation services when necessary and may provide or facilitate telephonic interpretation services or assistance where required.

 

May perform limited translation services in the managing interpreter’s working (foreign) language or may proofread translations provided by accredited ATA translators if the individual is not ATA certified. If ATA certified, may perform translation services as per the ATA certification. Provides guidance regarding statewide and local policies and procedures affecting interpreters, professional standards of interpretation and educational requirements for interpreters. May assist in evaluating ethical concerns consistent with professional standards of interpreter ethics.

 

Serves as a liaison for internal and external communications regarding activities and operations of the interpreter’s office. May develop and deliver curriculum covering interpreter issues to interpreter or other constituencies and may develop and deliver interpreter continuing educational training.

 

Provides necessary resources for interpreters such as simultaneous audio equipment, dictionaries, glossaries, reference materials, web resources, court forms and pertinent information such as case files, police reports or statements to interpreters prior to hearing.

 

Advises the district on issues surrounding language access to court and probation services.

 

Some positions may travel to courts in other jurisdictions as assigned to provide interpreter testing, training or other interpreter services.

 

Serves on interpreter committees and attends meetings and training as required and networks with other Managing Court Interpreters regarding resources and interpreter issues.

 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Directly supervises interpreters in a unit which may include directing and supervising the work of free-lance or contract services interpreters in locations which do not have on-staff interpreters.  Supervisory decisions are made in accordance with interpreter guidelines, Judicial Branch policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, examining and training interpreters; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining interpreter employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

All interpreters must be fluently bilingual in that they must possess a college level vocabulary in both languages and the ability to communicate complex information in both English and the interpreter’s working language.  The interpreter’s application and written responses to any subsequent interview questions will be reviewed in light of this requirement and fluency level may be subject to examination.

 

All candidates must possess and maintain a Colorado Certified Interpreter credential (or may have a Federal Interpreter Certification credential) and be in good standing with the Colorado Judicial Department’s Court Interpreter Certification Program and must further qualify as follows:

 

Graduation from high school or equivalent and four years of paid experience working in a professional capacity as an interpreter with non-English speaking persons.

 

A composite score of 80% or more on the Consortium Interpreter Examination may substitute for one year of the required professional interpretation experience.

 

 

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in linguistics, cultural issues, public or court administration or related field and three years of experience interpreting in judicial, law enforcement, legal or related field working in a professional capacity with non-English speaking persons in a complex organization where assignments and clients vary.

A composite score of 80% or more on the Consortium Interpreter Examination may substitute for one year of the required professional interpretation experience.

 

 

Desired qualifications include an advanced degree in interpretation or translation and accreditation by the American Translation Association (ATA) in addition to the above.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk.  The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific speech requirements include ability to speak audibly, to hear and to stand or sit for extended periods of time.  This position often requires the ability to concentrate and to deliver interpreting services under demanding and noisy circumstances.  Must have the ability to adjust to differing voices, tones, accents and speed of speech in performing interpretation duties.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and high precarious places. Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Interpreting equipment such as simultaneous audio equipment, telephone, or personal computer may be used.  Frequent work day and overnight travel may be required.