OCJ - Court Interpreter (Spanish)

CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
OFFICE
OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
JOB
DESCRIPTION
JOB
TITLE:
COURT
INTERPRETER
LANGUAGE: SPANISH
GRADE:
16 (17 upon certification)
UNION:
CHICAGO
NEWS
GUILD
SALARY: UNION PAY SCHEDULE, FIRST STEP: $
65,357 ($70,137 upon certification)
LOCATION:
ALL COURT LOCATIONS,
COOK
COUNTY,
ILLINOIS
Job
Summary
and
Duties:
Under
the
general
direction
of the
Director,
the
court
interpreter
reports
directly
to the
Supervisor
of
Interpreter
Services.
The court
interpreter
interprets
proceedings in person and remote
hearings,
trials, mediations, probation meetings, attorney-client communications,
interviews
and
other
court-related
communicative
events
held
by
judges
and
employees
of
related
court
services
agencies either in person or virtual.
Interpreters ensure meaningful language access in accordance with applicable Language Access Policy and applicable federal and state laws.
Provides interpretation services in a manner that is accurate, complete, and impartially for judges, attorneys, litigants, witnesses, victims, jurors and court staff, in accordance with established professional standards, codes of ethics, and court polici
es.
Facilitate interpretation services during remote and hybrid court proceedings conducted via Zoom or other approved virtual platforms.
Appear punctually for scheduled court proceedings (virtual or otherwise).
Maintain proficiency in the operation of remote interpretation technology such as Zoom, remote audio equipment and headsets, digital courtroom platforms. Notify the court when technical issues interfere with interpretation accuracy.
Maintain confidentiality and neutrality in all assignments.
Comply with the Illinois Supreme Court Code of Interpreter Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Performs sight
translation of
specified
foreign
language
or
English
documents
as
required
during
a
proceeding,
hearing,
interview
or
other
court-related
communicative
event.
Translates
from
English
into
a
specified
foreign
language,
official
forms,
letters,
documents,
public
signs,
notices,
posters,
form
letters,
job
applications,
correspondence
and
other
court-related
documents.
Maintains
accurate
records of assignments, appearances and remote proceedings,
contemporaneous
records
of
interpreting
and
translating
activities,
including
ongoing
case next
date
and
disposition
information.
Travel between court locations as assigned.
Performs
such
other
duties
as
may
be
assigned.
The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be
construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed
temporarily outside an employee’s line of work.
Job Requirements:
Ability to
read,
write,
speak,
understand,
and
communicate
in
English
sufficient
to
perform
the
duties
of this position. Demonstrate fluency in the target language.
Knowledge
of
English
and
appropriate
foreign
language, including
phonology,
vocabulary,
grammar
and
dialects.
Knowledge
of
English
and
specified
foreign
language
legal
terminology, court procedures and interpreter’s ethics
Knowledge
of interpreting and translation
theory,
method,
techniques,
ethics
and
professional
standards
.
Ability to interpret in high pressure environments.
Knowledge
of the interpreting
methods and techniques
used
in
simultaneous, sight
and
consecutive
modes.
Familiarity
with
the
court
system
and
related
agencies.
Basic proficiency with computers, Zoom, email systems and virtual meeting technology
Must be able to adapt to various courtroom settings and technologies.
Ability to
interpret
in
consecutive, s
and
simultaneous
modes
during
proceedings,
hearings,
interviews
and
other
court-related
communicative
events.
Ability to
translate written materials between English and the specified foreign language, including forms, letters, and other court-related documents.
Ability to
sight
translate specified
foreign
language
or
English
documents
during
a
proceeding,
hearing
interview
and
other
court-related
communicative
events.
Ability to
maintain
clear,
concise,
accurate,
and
informative
records
and
reports.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications:

Willingness and ability to, as directed, complete written exam and oral exam administrated by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (
AOIC), or completion of the equivalent test associated with the certifying body of a sister state recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Strong
commitment
to
Access
to
Justice for
all,
particularly
court
users
with
limited
English
proficiency.
Understanding
of
and
demonstrated
adherence
to
the
Interpreters’
Code of
Conduct.
Ability to
work
cooperatively
with
diverse
coworkers
and
court
users.
Fluency in
spoken
and
written
English
and
spoken
and
written
second
language.
Two
years
of
experience as
a
court
interpreter preferred.
Experience providing remote or video remote interpretation (VRI) preferred
Knowledge of trauma informed communication practices preferred.
R
egistered interpreters preferred; candidates actively pursuing certification with the AOIC are encouraged to apply.
High
school
diploma
or
GED
certificate;
college
degree preferred.
Ability
and
willingness
to
travel
to
all Circuit
Court
of Cook
County
courthouses
,
places
of
holding
court,
and
court
annexed
locations;
access
to
personal
transportation
required.
Proficiency
in the use
of
a
smart
phone,
Microsoft
Word,
Outlook,
Excel
and
internet
browser.
Post-Employment Minimum Qualifications:
Within 18 months of hire, certification
by
the
Illinois
Supreme
Court
or the
certifying
body
of a
sister
state
recognized
by
the
Illinois
Supreme
Court,
as
a
foreign
language
Court
interpreter
; or
Within 18 months of hire, inclusion
as
a
“certified
interpreter”
on
the
Court
Interpreter
Registry
maintained
by
the
Administrative
Office
of the
Illinois
Courts.
Physical Requirements:
The
physical
demands
described
here are
representative
of those
that
must be
met
by
an
interpreter
to
successfully
perform
the
essential
functions
of the job.
Reasonable
accommodations
may
be
made
to
enable
individuals
with
disabilities
to
perform
the
essential
functions.
While
performing
the
duties
of this job, the
employee
is
regularly
required
to:
talk
and
hear
Standing for long periods of time,
walking throughout courthouse,
sit,
and
use hands
and
feet.
Position requires extended concentration and remote assignments may require prolonged screen time and headset use.
communicate clearly
on the
telephone
and other devices
and
with
the public
and
other
staff.
use a
telephone,
keyboard,
and
video
display
terminal.
lift
and/or
move
objects
up
to 15 pounds
such
as
files,
stacks
of
papers,
reference
materials.
intermittently
twist
to
reach
equipment
or
supplies
perform
simple grasping
and
fine
manipulation
This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.
Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the
Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page
.
Please apply by filling out the application at our
Career Page
.
THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
Revised: June 1, 2026