16th Judicial Circuit
Job Description
Florida State Courts System
Classification Specification
Classification Title: Court Interpreter
Pay Grade: 67
Class Code: 7530
FLSA Status: Included
CLASS SUMMARY
The essential function of the position within the organization is to interpret legal proceedings for
non-English speaking or hearing impaired persons to ensure due process. The position is
responsible for interpreting the spoken or written word from a source language to a target
language, translating court evidence to a target language, testifying as an expert witness
regarding accuracy of translated documents or tapes, and collecting statistical data. The position
works under direct supervision according to set procedures.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
(See examples of typical essential functions for this position listed below. Employees with
this classification title may perform some or similar but not necessarily all the functions
listed; employees with this title may also perform other assigned functions not listed here.)
- Listens to a speaker’s statements during regular court proceedings, either in person or via
remote video or telephone; prepares interpretations or interprets statements
simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs. - Translates documents and recorded materials presented in court from a source language
to a target language. - Provides interpreting services for court appointed psychological evaluations and
competency evaluations. - Maintains message content, context, and style as much as possible during interpreting
process. - Testifies as expert witness regarding accuracy of documents translated for court
proceedings. - Collects and inputs data for statistical purposes concerning the number and type of
interpreting tasks performed. - Remains current in reference information resources, such as vocabulary in legal, medical,
and other areas, different cultural features, or local and world events. - Assists with miscellaneous tasks such as on-the-job training for interns as directed by
supervisor. - Attends and/or conducts staff and other professional meetings and conferences to
exchange information. - Attends technical or professional seminars or conferences to improve professional skills.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Education
- Refers to job specific training and education that is recommended for entry into the
position. Additional relevant experience may substitute for the recommended educational level
on a year-for-year basis. - Bachelor’s degree in English, the source language, or a closely related field.
Experience
- Refers to the amount of related work experience that is recommended for entry into the position
that would result in reasonable expectation that the person can perform the required
tasks. Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-
year basis, excluding supervisory experience. - Two years of court/legal related work experience.
CERTIFICATION, LICENSE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
(Refers to professional, state, or federal licenses, certifications, or registrations
required/desired to enter the position.)
- Requires valid certificate as a Certified Court Interpreter issued by the Florida Supreme Court,
Office of the State Courts Administrator. - Applicants who are selected as court interpreters, but who are not certified at the time of court
employment, must become certified within one year of being employed in a court interpreting
position. The one-year requirement may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis, if
necessary; but, only in exceptional circumstances. See Fla. R. Court. Interp. 14.205(c ).
COMPETENCIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Data Responsibility
Refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation,
interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers,
words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations.
Compiles, examines, or evaluates data or information and possibly recommends action
based on results.
People Responsibility
Refers to individuals who have contact with or are influenced by the position.
Provides assistance to people to achieve task completion; persuades or influences others in
favor of a service, course of action, or point of view.
Assets Responsibility
Refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the
organization.
Requires minimum responsibility for only small quantities of low cost items or supplies where
opportunities for achieving economies or preventing loss are negligible.
Mathematical Requirements
Deals with quantities, magnitudes, and forms and their relationships and attributes by the use
of numbers and symbols.
Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; may compute ratios, rates, and
percentages.
Communications Requirements
Involves the ability to read, write, and speak.
Reads scientific and technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and legal documents;
writes complex translations; makes presentations to professional groups.
Complexity of Work
Addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, creativity, and concentration required by the
position and the presence of any unusual pressures.
Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules with constant problem solving;
requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual
pressure.
Impact of Decisions/Errors
Refers to consequences such as damage to property, loss of data or property, exposure of
the organization to legal liability, or injury or death to individuals.
Makes decisions with moderately serious impact - affects work unit and may affect other units
or citizens.
Equipment Usage
Refers to inanimate objects such as substances, materials, machines, tools, equipment, work
aids, or products. A thing is tangible and has shape, form, and other physical characteristics.
Handles machines, tools, equipment, or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment
regarding attainment of standard or in selecting appropriate items, such as recording
equipment, computer, or telephone.
Safety of Others
Refers to the responsibility for other people’s safety, either inherent in the job or to assure the
safety of the general public.
Requires some responsibility for safety of others and/or for occasional enforcement of the
standards of public safety.
statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The
job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the
employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
The Florida State Courts System has the right to revise this class specification at any
time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.