Court Interpreter (Spanish)

The Position

• REVISED: The wording for this job announcement has been updated.**
  
  

This is a continuous filing exam. Next cut-off date: 05/07/2007.

Salary Information

Level I: $3,460.83 to $4,205.58 monthly

Level II: 3,803.67 to $4,624.92 monthly

Under supervision, operates a control position at a console, the Sheriff’s Computer Aided Dispatch System, in the transmission of telecommunication visual images and conventional two-way radio

messages to mobile patrol units.

Sheriff Communication Dispatcher (Level I) is the entry/training level in the dispatcher class. Incumbents are trained in department policies, procedures, and specialized equipment through on-the-Job training. Work is completed under close supervision and reviewed during performance and upon completion.

Sheriff’s Communication Dispatcher (Level II) is the journey level in the dispatcher class. Incumbents work under the supervision of sworn personnel; however, they are expected to exercise independent judgment in responding promptly and effectively to multiple competing demands from

the public and mobile field units.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Business English usage, grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary
• Report writing techniques
• Major streets, highways and districts in Sacramento County
• Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations as specified in “Public Safety Radio Services”
• Radio codes currently used in the Sheriff’s Department
• Penal codes currently used in the Sheriff’s Department Ability To
• Operate communications equipment by performing multiple hand and foot functions simultaneously
• Learn to operate a video data communications terminal
• Remain calm in emergencies
• Understand, retain, and transmit data while performing several functions at one time
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
• Read and interpret maps
• Use tact and persuasion to calm emotional callers and obtain complete information on reported incidents
• Speak English clearly and concisely
• Read and write English at a level necessary for effective job performance
  
  

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

LEVEL I: Possession of a valid typing certificate of 40 net words per minute from clear copy.

AND

Either: One year of full-time experience as a Sheriff’s 911 Call Dispatcher in Sacramento County service;

Or: Two years of full-time experience in a private or governmental agency involving extensive public contact in a stressful environment, receiving and resolving complaints, assisting in emergency situations, or coordinating many tasks simultaneously.

LEVEL II: Possession of a valid typing certificate of 40 net words per minute from clear copy.

AND

Either: One year of full-time experience as Sheriff’s Communications Dispatcher (Level I) in Sacramento County service;

Or: Three years of full-time experience in a private or governmental agency involving extensive public contact in a stressful environment, receiving and resolving complaints, assisting in emergency situations, and coordinating many tasks simultaneously. At least one year of the required experience must have involved dispatching to mobile units.

Note: Volunteer experience in the above pattern may be substituted on the basis of 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = one work month.

Criminal History and Background Check: Candidates will need to pass a security clearance investigation conducted by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

• Prior to appointment, applicant must successfully pass a medical examination and psychological screening.
• Must be able to visually distinguish between red, green, and orange colors.
• Have normal hearing in both ears, and good eye/hand coordination and finger dexterity.
• Conform to departmental uniform standards. Hours of Work: Applicants must be willing to work shift assignments, holidays and weekends as required.
  
  

Probationary Period: The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

Application and Testing Information

Testing Process

All applications will be screened by the Employment Office to determine if each applicant meets the minimum qualifications. The application must clearly show that the minimum qualifications are met by the cut-off date or the application will not be accepted. All statements are subject to verification.

The testing process for this class will consist of a written examination, weighted 100% and a performance examination weighted pass/fail. The examination may test for, but is not limited to, the essential knowledge and abilities listed in this announcement. All candidates successful in the examination process will be placed on the eligible list in rank order determined by the test score attained.

Qualified applicants will be notified by mail of the exact date, time, and location of the examination.

Candidates successful in passing the written will be invited to the performance exam.

If applicants have not received written notice at least two (2) working days prior to the tentative test date, they should contact the Sacramento County Employment Office at (916) 874-5593.

Testing Accommodation: Applicants with disabilities who need testing accommodation must contact the Sacramento County Employment Office by the application deadline.

How To Apply

As vacancies occur, a cut-off date will be established and posted in the Employment Office. All applications received by 5:00 p.m. on the current posted cut-off date will be processed. Applications received after the current posted cut-off date will remain on file and processed after the next established cut-off date.

Application packets may be submitted to our office on-line, in person or by mail. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the standard County of Sacramento application form on-line. However, any required additional documentation (such as copies of transcripts, etc.) must be submitted in person or by mail and clearly marked with the title of the job for which you are applying.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure his/her application and any other required document(s) are received by the current cut-off date. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Note: Resumes may be attached to your application. However, a resume will not substitute for the experience information that is required for your application process. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if the experience portion of the application is not completed on the application. A notation of "See Resume" will not be permitted.

To apply, please complete and submit a Sacramento County application form and any required document(s) by 5:00 p.m. on the application cut-off date to:

Sacramento County Employment Office

609 9th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone 916-874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service

M/C 06-007

www.saccountyjobs.org

Note: The Sacramento County Employment Office is not responsible for the untimely delivery of materials sent via U.S./specialized mail or County interoffice mail.

All applications will be screened by the Employment Office to determine if each applicant meets the minimum qualifications. The application must clearly show that the minimum qualifications are met by the cut-off date or the application will not be accepted. All statements are subject to verification.

Employee Benefits

As an employee of the County of Sacramento, there will be a variety of benefits available to you. These benefits currently include: health, dental and life insurance; flexible spending account options for dependent care and unreimbursed dental and/or medical cost; and an employee assistance program (EAP).

General Benefits

Most employee benefits are similar to the following for all County employees. However, some benefits differ, depending on the employee representation unit to which the employee's job classification is assigned. Information about the exact benefits applicable to a particular job classification may be obtained from the Sacramento County Department of Benefits or by visiting www.saccountyjobs.net.

Temporary Positions

Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions. The explanations of benefits applies to employees in regular positions.

Salary Step Increases

The beginning salary and the top of the salary range are usually shown on the job announcement. Upon satisfactory service, salary increases of approximately 5% are given annually until the top of the salary range has been attained.

Pay

All employees are paid bi-weekly via direct deposit into the employee's bank account. The pay period covers fourteen (14) calendar days, starting on a Sunday and ending on the second Saturday thereafter. Salaries are generally paid on the Friday following the end of the pay period. Employees can set up their direct deposit and access their pay information via Employee Self Service in MySacCounty.

Vacation

Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days.

Holidays

13.5 holidays per year as recognized.

Sick Leave

Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation. Upon retirement, unused sick leave is converted to retirement service credit.

Parental Leave

Entitles a regular County employee, with at least one year of continuous employment, to schedule a paid parental leave of up to 160 hours upon the birth or during the process of an adoption of a minor child. Parental leave shall be approved by the employee's appointing authority, except where the granting of the parental leave request would unduly interfere with or cause severe hardship upon department operations.

Tuition Reimbursement

Dependent upon union agreements, regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies are eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement.

Retirement

Social Security and Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System coverage.

Health Insurance

The County offers a variety of health plan design options to fit individual needs.

Dental Insurance

The County provides a comprehensive dental benefit program for regular full-time and part-time employees and their eligible dependents. This plan pays on a set fee schedule that varies by procedure. Any amount over the fee schedule is the employee's responsibility. The yearly maximum is $2,000 per person, not including orthodontia. The orthodontic benefit is 50% of covered charges with a lifetime maximum of $1,000 per person.

Life Insurance

The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit of $15,000 to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.

Deferred Compensation

The County offers a Deferred Compensation Program which enables employees to save in a systematic way without paying income tax on either the payroll deduction or the earned interest, prior to withdrawal.

Employee Assistance Program

The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  
  

Wellness Incentive Program

The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record.

Flexible Spending Account

The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.

• DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.
• MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.
  
  

Workers' Compensation

In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers' Compensation laws of California.

Sacramento Credit Union

The credit union offers loan facilities and systematic saving plans through payroll deduction.

SELECTION AND PLACEMENT

Sacramento County encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, gender, disability, political affiliation, or age.

Certain age limits may be required by law, ordinance, or Civil Service direction for specific classifications such as those identified with hazardous occupations.

FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES ONLY:Every effort is made to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants such as in the selection of test sites, aides, or other equipment which permits the disabled applicants to compete in the examination process. Applicants with disabilities requesting an applicable ADA testing accommodation must complete a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form filled out and signed by the applicant and their doctor. This form must be submitted to the Disability Compliance Office, 700 H Street, Room 5720, Sacramento, CA 95814, by the cut-off date or final filing date as listed in this job announcement. Download the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form by clicking here or contact by mail or in person the Sacramento County Employment Services Division or Disability Compliance Office.

Minimum Qualifications

Please read carefully the "Minimum Qualifications" section of your announcement. You must meet those qualifications by the application deadline date unless otherwise specified. Your application must clearly show you meet the minimum qualifications by the application deadline date, or it will not be accepted. All statements are subject to verification.

"Experience" means full-time paid experience unless the announcement states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Promotional Examinations

If the announcement indicates the examination is given on a promotional basis, candidates must hold permanent status in Sacramento County Civil Service by the application deadline date and must meet the minimum qualifications.

Open Examinations

Any person who meets the minimum qualifications may apply.

Continuous Filing Examinations

Applicants are eligible to reapply to and retake a continuous filing exam after 6 months from the date the previous exam results was received.

Eligible Lists

Names of qualified persons who made a passing score on an examination are entered, in order of their final grades, on an eligible list. To fill each vacancy, the hiring department will make a selection from among the top three ranks on the employment lists.

Examination Ratings

Unless otherwise stated on the announcement: To be successful, candidates must obtain a rating of at least 70% on each part of the examination. This may be an adjusted score or an arithmetic 70% of the total possible score as determined by the Director.

Appeal Process

Persons who believe their applications have been improperly rejected may request the Employment Services Division to review its decision to reject the application. If the applicant desires to submit additional proof of qualifications, such proof must be received by Personnel Services not less than two (2) calendar days prior to the scheduled date for the examination.

Persons who are disqualified in any phase of the examination may appeal such adverse action, in writing, to the Civil Service Commission, 700 H Street, Room 2640, Sacramento, CA 95814, telephone: (916) 874-5586. Such appeals must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days after notice of the adverse action was mailed to the candidate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): http://www.personnel.saccounty.net/Documents/FAQ(2).pdf

Other Information

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:

Military veterans who have served during wartime shall be given preference in initial appointment to County service. Such preference shall apply, provided the veteran has first achieved a minimum passing score in the examination. The passing score of a veteran shall be annotated to indicate the veteran's score shall be regarded as 5 points or higher, OR 10 points higher for disabled veterans, only for the purpose of determining the three ranks along with which the veteran's name shall be certified. No score shall actually be changed and no new rank shall be created as a result of application of veteran's preference for certification purposes.

"Disabled Veteran" means any veteran who has served during wartime and, who, as of the final filing date for an examination is declared by the United States Veterans Administration or military service department to be 10% or more disabled as a result of his/her military service. Persons claiming eligibility for disabled veteran's preference must submit to the employment office, on or before the application deadline date, a certification from the United States Veterans Administration or a military service department, dated within 1 year, which certifies the present existence of a service related disability of 10% or more, or other acceptable proof of such disability as a result of his/her military service.

Persons claiming eligibility for veterans preference must submit a copy of Form DD 214 or other acceptable proof of veteran's status on or before the final filing date for the examination. For purpose of this rule "reserve" status does not constitute active duty.

Citizenship Or Authorized Alien Requirement

As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all County employees must be United States citizens or aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Proof of citizenship or authorized status will be required prior to appointment.

Conflict Of Interest Code

Some County Civil Service positions are covered by financial disclosure requirements intended to identify potential conflicts of interest.

Concurrent Employment

No employee may concurrently occupy more than one County position.

Special Skill Qualifications (when Specified On The Application)

Persons who have special skills required by some (but not all) positions in a class may be certified ahead of others provided that:

Such special skills are based on the duties and requirements of the positions and are in conformance with merit system and equal opportunity principles, and

The certification of eligibles who possess special skills have been approved by the Civil Service Commission.

Pre-employment Medical Examination & Drug Testing

The County of Sacramento is committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol free workplace. All persons selected for appointment to positions must pass a medical examination and a drug test, administered by the County at no cost to the applicant.

Driver License

Possession of a valid California Driver License may be required for some positions.

Probationary Period

Regular positions are subject to a probationary period which is an extension of the selection process. Unless otherwise indicated on the announcement, the probationary period is six (6) months.

Agency Shop/Fair Share Fee

Some positions require, as a condition of continued employment, that the person either:

• Become a union member;
• Pay a fair share fee to the union; or,
• Meet specific requirements under which an equivalent amount must be paid to a charity.
  
  

Fingerprinting And Criminal Record Checks

Fingerprinting and criminal record checks are required for some positions.