Court Interpreter

Description/Duties

First review of all applications will be Monday, July 13, 2026.

A Court Interpreter provides simultaneous and consecutive Spanish and English interpretation of court proceedings for Spanish-speaking defendants. This employee interprets and translates English into Spanish and Spanish into English, orally and in writing, respectively, in all types of court cases handled by the Mesa Municipal Court. This class ensures the interpreting/translating needs of the court are met, and schedules interpreters of all languages as required by the court.

A Court Interpreter must thoroughly understand and have a command of modes of interpretation, interpreter protocol, and ethics, as well as the procedures and processes within their assigned division in order to effectively provide interpretation and translation services. The interpersonal communications in this classification requires tact, patience, and professionalism when providing interpretation and translation services. Employees in this class are expected to perform day to-day activities independently within established guidelines and procedures under general supervision. This class receives general supervision from a Court Supervisor for court services through meetings, reports, and conferences regarding volume, accuracy, and timeliness of work completed. The pay structure recognizes the higher-level interpreting skills and knowledge required of the position; therefore, the Court Interpreter will not be eligible to receive the added compensation as applied to the City's Bilingual Compensation Program. An employee of this class will be required to work weekends and/or holidays on a rotating basis. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Graduation from high school or GED AND three (3) years of professional experience providing English to Spanish translating and interpreting services in a public setting. Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, Latin American Studies, Mexican-American Studies or a related field may substitute for one or two years of experience respectively.

Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date. Must pass the Mesa Municipal Court's interpreting proficiency examination or have a Tier 3 or Tier 4 level certification through the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program and is in good standing. Must obtain a Tier 3 or Tier 4 level certification through the Arizona Court Interpreter Credentialing Program within 24 months of hire date. For this position, an individual receiving a conditional offer of employment from the City of Mesa must pass a background investigation through the City of Mesa Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to commencing employment with the City of Mesa.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Supplemental coursework in Spanish or judicial studies. Professional interpreting experience in a municipal, general jurisdiction court; United States District Court; or medical environment. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish, Latin American Studies, Mexican-American Studies, or related field and membership in a professional interpreter/translator association such as, but not limited to: The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT), Arizona Court Interpreters Association (ACIA), American Translators Association (ATA), International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), or California Court Interpreters Association (CCIA).