Initial Posting Date:

12/05/2023

Application Deadline:

01/08/2024

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$6,140 - $9,525

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Interpreter 2/1 Underfill

Job Description:

Limited Duration: This is a full-time, limited duration position, currently funded through January 31, 2026. Continuation beyond that date is subject to available funding.

If you are a current Oregon Judicial Department regular status employee, acceptance of a limited duration status position does not change your status to limited duration (although trial service status may still apply). See Judicial Department Personnel Rules 2.42 and 6 for more information or contact your assigned HR Manager.

Underfill Opportunity: This position may be filled as a developmental underfill at the Interpreter 1 job profile level. See the Interpreter 1 Minimum Qualifications section for details. The annual salary for the Interpreter 1 is $63,650 - $98,742.

Interviews: We are projecting to have the first round of interviews January 17-19, 2024. Please hold these dates on your calendar.

Benefits To You

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• The annual salary for the Interpreter 2 position is $73,682 - $114,306.

• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.

• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Who We Are

Court Language Access Services (CLAS) is part of the Office of the State Court Administrator at the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD). CLAS increases access to the courts and their services by eliminating language barriers and increasing education by credentialing court interpreters, providing professional development opportunities, identifying language needs and developing Language Access Plans, providing interpreters for court customers and case parties, translating courthouse signs, forms, and vital documents, and providing training on language access. We provide support to each circuit court in the state, as well as the Tax Court and the Citizen Review Board.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Position Highlights

We are hiring an Interpreter (Interpreter 2/1 Underfill) to support our court customers.

In this role, you will help people who do not speak English, or who have limited English proficiency, access the courts and court services by providing high-quality simultaneous and consecutive court interpreting and sight translating services. This includes providing interpretation for complex or high-profile cases, telephonic and video interpreting, and relay interpreting. You will review the daily docket, coordinate with court staff to prepare for assignments, interpret for staff who provide non-legal information to the non-English speaking public, answer non-legal questions about interpretation services generally, and maintain accurate records of interpretation activities.

Additionally, you will draft English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translations of court documents and work with teams to proofread Spanish translations made by colleagues and American Translators Association (ATA) certified translators. You will f ormat translated documents for electronic and print publication, prepare and accompany interpreters of other languages to court, serve as a resource to other certified interpreters, help evaluate the quality of our interpretation services, and recommend program changes . You will also r eview and transcribe court recordings, evaluate interpretations, and ensure adherence to the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oregon Courts.

Part of your time will be spent coordinating and developing educational opportunities for court interpreters, judges, OJD staff, and other stakeholders. As a facilitator in workshops and continuing education courses, you will teach interpretation skills and provide resources and study materials. You will have an opportunity to provide i nput about statewide policies and procedures that affect interpretation services.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Instructions for Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.

• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.

• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”

• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.

• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume / CV / Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.
  OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

Filling This Position

This position will be filled one of two ways: by appointment of a candidate who meets the Interpreter 2 Minimum Qualifications (as identified below) OR by developmental underfill of a candidate who meets the Interpreter 1 Minimum Qualifications (as identified below).

Interpreter 2 Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, intracultural communications, English, the interpreter’s working language, or a related field.

AND

At least 2 years’ experience as a Certified Court Interpreter.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to 6 years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

AND

Possess and maintain the Master Level Oregon Certified Court Interpreter credential.

Interpreter 1 Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, intracultural communications, English, the interpreter’s working language, or a related field.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

AND

Possess and maintain the Oregon Certified Court Interpreter credential.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Knowledge and application of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oregon Courts.

• Knowledge of legal terminology, court proceedings, evidentiary rules, courtroom procedures, and local trial court rules for Oregon.

• Experience team interpreting on cases lasting two hours or longer.

• Proficiency interpreting via a variety of telecommunication technologies and applications in both the simultaneous and consecutive modes.

• Possession of a current ATA English into Spanish Certification.

• Skill translating English into Spanish and Spanish into English for administrative forms and other documents that include technical terms and vocabulary.

• Experience acting as an educational resource for other interpreters.

• Experience reviewing and evaluating the proficiency of other interpreters.

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite and Windows-based systems.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time, limited duration position, and the work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per work week.

• Overtime work (i.e., before or after scheduled hours or weekends) will be required.

• Hybrid work may be available for this position. All remote work assignments begin, end, or change only with administrative authority approval.

• Travel to trial courts statewide and central meeting locations with overnight and weekend work. Travel to trial courts statewide may be on short notice.

• You must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record or be able to provide an acceptable alternative means of transportation on short notice.

• Regular contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Regular contact with people who may be facing life-changing circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.

• Exposure to graphic information about violent crimes on an ongoing basis.

• Workload changes frequently and requires prioritizing, re-prioritizing, and managing conflicting goals or timelines; work environment can be loud, distracting, and present frequent interruptions.

• The following equipment may be used: telephone, OJD-assigned computer, simultaneous interpreting transmitter and receiver sets, copy machine, scanner, and fax machine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans' Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

• Workday related information and resources are available here .

• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.