Spanish Court Interpreter (2 Positions), Scheduling And Interpreters Unit, Hennepin County

Hennepin County District Court seeks to fill two Spanish Court Interpreter positions. These positions will provide court-related interpreter services, translate court documents, and assist in district training programs to raise awareness on cultural, interpreter and bilingual issues.

This position is classified as a Court Interpreter and will have a workspace in the Scheduling and Interpreter Unit, located downtown Minneapolis in the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street, Suite C-2475 (24th Floor), but will perform interpreter services at any of the district court locations. Typical hours for this position are 8:00 am- 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, but may vary depending on the assignment and division needs. Position will be fully onsite for the first few months of training and learning the position before hybrid opportunities become available.

The expected starting salary for external candidates is at least $29.50 per hour and may be higher, depending on qualifications. This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, is AFSCME represented, and is eligible for State of Minnesota employee benefits.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A COURT INTERPRETER?

Court interpreting is a specialized profession that requires a high level of proficiency in both English and Spanish, as well as the ability to interpret accurately in simultaneous and consecutive settings, perform sight translation, and understand legal terminology and court proceedings.

Being bilingual or fluent in English and Spanish does not, by itself, qualify an individual to serve as a Minnesota Court Interpreter. It is important for applicants who are not currently certified or included on the Minnesota Statewide Court Interpreter Roster to understand that additional language proficiency and court interpreter assessments are required as part of the hiring process.

We encourage applicants to learn more about the profession and the qualification process before applying. The following resources are provided to help applicants understand the expectations and requirements of the position before applying:

• National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Court Interpreter Resources: Language access | National Center for State Courts (Please scroll to the Preparing prospective interpreters for court services section)
• Minnesota Judicial Branch- Court Interpreter Information: Become a Court Interpreter- Interpreter Resources- Court Interpreter Program
• Hennepin County District Court Court Interpreter Video: Working With Interpreters Video
• Instagram Video: Instagram

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Provide accurate in-person Spanish interpretation, both simultaneous and consecutive, of court proceedings to ensure access to justice for litigants, witnesses, and judicial officers, as well as for customers at public service counters or over the telephone on an on-call basis.
• Interpret for the court and court customers using a variety of remote technology mediums to increase timely access to the resolution of cases.
• Translate or proof translations of a wide variety of court documents to meet the needs of the court.
• Provide guidance to Hennepin County District Court contract interpreters and agencies to facilitate quality services for the court.
• Assist with training programs provided to court staff, judicial officers, and contract interpreters to raise cultural awareness on interpreter and bilingual issues.
• Assist the division and court administration with developing interpreter policies and procedures by providing expertise and insight into court interpreter services.
• Contribute to the business needs of the division by assisting court administration with developing and facilitating training programs, interpreter billings, technology, and scheduling.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education

• Graduation from high school, or equivalent.
• At least two years of experience providing interpreting services, preferably in a court or legal setting.

Certification/Licensure

Qualifications for employment as a Court Interpreter are governed by Court Policy 513(c) Court Interpreter Roster Qualifications Policy. Qualified applicants are either certified or meet the requirements for employee court interpreters.

For applicants who are certified court interpreters in the target language:

• Meet the requirements under Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 8.01 to be included on the statewide roster.
• Achieved certification status under part IV.B of Court Policy 513(c) Court Interpreter Roster Qualifications Policy.
• Successful completion of a criminal background study.

OR, if the selected applicant is not certified in the target language per policy 513(c), they will:

• Meet the following requirements as part of a contingent offer of employment:
• Achieve a passing score on the written English Proficiency Test provided by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) in Minnesota or another state.
• Achieve a score of Superior in an Oral Proficiency Interview language assessment in the target language, administered by Language Testing International
• Successful completion of a criminal background study.
• Meet the following requirements under Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 8.01 to be included on the statewide roster within 30 days of start date:
• Successfully complete the New Interpreter Orientation as defined by the Program Coordinator.
• Achieve a passing score on the Ethics and Legal Terminology portion of the NCSC Written Test.
• File a written affidavit which will be effective during the length of employment, agreeing to comply with the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Minnesota State Court System.

Applicants who are not currently rostered may apply for this position. However, any offer of employment to a candidate who is not currently on the roster is contingent upon successful completion of the required assessments and qualification process. Failure to successfully complete the required assessments will result in the rescission of the contingent offer of employment.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience using remote technology and computerized office programs.
• Demonstrated ability in navigating difficult situations and resolving issues in a respectful and courteous manner, including using alternative approaches to achieve outcomes.
• Experience and skill in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and sight translation.
• Ability to be flexible and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to make work-related decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including the ability to apply the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters.
• Experience and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds within and outside of the Judicial Branch
• Ability to contribute to project work groups and successfully participate in project initiatives related to enhancing interpreter services.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Achieved certification status under part IV.B of Court Policy 513(c) Court Interpreter Roster Qualifications Policy.
• Experience providing interpretation within a court setting.
• Experience interpreting either remotely via Zoom or in person using interpreting equipment.
• Knowledge of culture and customs of the groups and communities using the target language.
• Knowledge of the organization, operation, function, and jurisdiction of the court.
• Knowledge of court proceedings and legal and forensic terminology.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59pm. Interviews will include a live interpreting portion.

This AFSCME-represented position is posted for bidding, internal, and external application simultaneously and will be filled in accordance with the AFSCME contract.

An employment offer may be rescinded if the background check identifies job related convictions and/or candidate does not meet the requirement of the Oral Proficiency Interview language assessment and written assessment.

Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding this posting via email: 4th.Human.Resources@courts.state.mn.us; or phone: 612-540-6488.