Job Overview
Alternate Titles: Sign Language Interpreter, Interpreter, Translator, Educational Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Paraprofessional Interpreter, Bilingual Interpreter, Conference Interpreter, Conference Translator, Court Interpreter
Interpreters and translators convert information from one language to another. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language, while Translators work in written language.
Education/Certifications/Experience
- Typically hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Required to be fluent in English and at least one other language
- Certification from the American Translators Association or a related agency is a plus
- Previous professional translation experience is required
- Experience traveling abroad is desired
Computer Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
- Foreign Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
- Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Excellent written and oral comprehension and expression skills, including speech clarity
Essential Functions, Duties, & Responsibilities
- Follows ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Identifies and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
- Translates messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Proofreads, edits, and revises translated materials.
- Checks translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
- Reads written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
- Refers to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Compiles terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Adapts translations to students’ cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
- Listens to speakers’ statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
