Government and Court Interpreter

About this task

Role and arrangement
- Provide simultaneous or consecutive interpretation for clients in California, primarily at onsite appointments. Video remote interpretation appointments may also be available.
- Languages in demand are Spanish, Cantonese Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Tagalog and Vietnamese, paired with English.

Requirements
- California or U.S. federal court certification is preferred. Applicants without court certification must have at least two years of in-person interpreting experience in legal or court settings and/or for state or federal government offices; the résumé must outline relevant experience.
- Have interpreter training or testing from a recognized interpretation-skills assessment organization or higher-education institution, and provide three references who can confirm professional onsite interpreting experience.
- Be fully fluent in English and the other language, at least 18 years old, and a high-school graduate.
- Undergo a criminal-history background check.
- Experience with water board meetings or hearings, environmental and public health management, water conservation, and regulatory or resource funding topics is preferred.

Responsibilities and capabilities
- Interpret accurately between English and the other language for limited-English-proficient speakers and state government representatives, preserving meaning, grammar, clarity and tone.
- Review relevant background documents before assignments. Use video-interpretation tools such as Zoom when needed, and be able to work with tabletop sound booths, interpreter control units, FM transmitters and headsets or receivers.
- Follow the speaker’s direction, request clarification professionally when needed and manage the flow of conversation without side conversations or disputes.
- Maintain clear enunciation, courteous service, professional appearance and punctuality, and comply with applicable interpreting ethics and standards.