Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Provides, on a regular basis, a full professional level of interpretation to all levels of court, through both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation between English and the language(s) in which the incumbent is accredited to interpret by the Ministry. This is to be accomplished by:

ensuring that the meaning, feeling and intent of the original and often technical words of testimony spoken are accurately transmitted, without distortion, omissions or additions;

ensuring that submissions, such as those of counsel and other parties, are fully and accurately interpreted without distortion so as to ensure fairness to all parties;

ensuring that the proceedings are fully transmitted to all parties who are entitled to and require interpretation;

ensuring that appropriate legal terminology is used;

traveling as required.

Staffing and Licencing :

Job requires ministry accreditation in English and particular language in which interpretation services are to be provided.

Knowledge :

Job requires fluency in English and other language(s) to provide interpretation services to all levels of court e.g. Criminal, Civil, Family, Provincial Offences Court, Small Claims Court. Job requires knowledge of legal terminology to ensure accurate rendering of legal terms and ideas, and knowledge of related areas/matters e.g. firearms, narcotics. Job requires knowledge of interpretation methods, both simultaneous e.g. working with headset, providing interpretation as originator is speaking and consecutive e.g. listening to originator and providing interpretation when speaker finished. Job requires knowledge of ministry policies regarding confidentiality and interpreter conduct, and of courtroom proceedings.

Skills :

Job requires analytical and evaluative skills to listen to original statements and render a message, which ensures that the meaning, intent and feeling of the originator's statement is conveyed. Job researches terminology of subject matters not immediately known for upcoming trial situation e.g. trial involving lumber industry requires researching, identifying and developing understanding of industry terms/language. Job identifies and deals with language problems which impact on interpretation an understanding of the parties involved, such as misunderstandings which require clarifying material for originator in their language and for the court in interpretation, and differences in dialects which requires finding common ground/method to ensure accuracy of interpretation and understanding by recipient, and adapting message to level of recipient's language skills when explaining terminology. Job requires oral fluency, both in terms of vocabulary and facility with grammar and sentence structure in English and the language(s) being interpreted, in order to provide oral interpretations of courtroom proceedings on a variety of subjects, including testimony of witnesses providing specialized, technical and scientific opinion and evidence. Job requires communication skills to convey meaning, feeling and intent of original words. Job requires communication skills to render legal terms and ideas in such a way that recipients will understand. Job requires interpersonal skills to interact with officials of court, legal counsel and the parties to an action and gain/maintain the confidence of those for whom the interpretation is provided, and strive to ensure that individuals for whom interpretation is provided understand the message rendered.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within established procedures and practices of courtroom and within ministry policies/procedures for delivery of interpretation services and in accordance with procedures, progress of proceedings and requirements of presiding judge/judiciary. Job requires decision-making in translating one language to another in courtroom and ensuring that message is as accurate as possible e.g. as close to original statement in meaning and intent, use of comparable level of language. Job is supervised in courtroom by presiding judge/judiciary who monitors/reviews delivery of interpretation services during proceedings, although may not be able to review actual content of interpretations into other language. Job refers problems/issues, which have an impact on delivery of interpretation services within courtroom to attention of presiding judge/judiciary.