Job Title:                   Translator/Interpreter

Contract Length:       Non-contracted

FLSA Status:              Non-exempt

Job Summary

Position provides oral and written translations from the English language to and from another designated language and from and to the English language.  Prepares and distributes written translations for publications, forms, letters, announcements, and instructions.

Essential Duties

• Interprets spoken language from one language into another with appropriate use of language. Provides consecutive or simultaneous interpretation between languages.
• Translates documents and other materials. Reads and rewrites material in specified language or languages, following established rules pertaining to factors such as word meanings, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
• Reviews and edits translations made by others for accuracy, context, readability, and style. Proofreads documents and forms.
• Serves as a liaison between staff and the school community to ensure that translations and documents are properly translated. Verifies and clarifies information to be translated.
• Conducts interpretation in a liaison role by transmitting messages over the phone or in person, including answering to visitor’s inquiries, scheduling parent/teacher conferences, new student registrations, and interpreting on emergency calls for the nurse, clinic, school counselors, and teacher.
• Interprets communications routinely sent via the automated call system.
• Conducts effective outreach to parents of English Learners (EL’s).
• Adequately notifies families of EL students about any program, services or activity called to the attention of all families.

Other Duties

• Performs any other related duties as assigned by an administrator

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• Adherence to professional code of ethics covering confidentiality and impartiality.
• Interpret/translate to and from English to a designated language without altering the original meaning.
• Well-developed skills in spelling, punctuation, syntax, grammar, and pronunciation of formal English and designated language.
• Working knowledge of regional differences in word usage and idioms in English and the designated language as well as cultural and attitudinal differences, customs, and more.
• Possess a working knowledge of technical and educational oriented vocabulary.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact in both formal and informal settings with a wide variety of contacts.
• Knowledge and understanding of the school division’s culturally diverse community and the ability to conduct outreach activities.
• Working knowledge of technical and legal-oriented vocabulary.
• Effective organizational, planning, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Adherence to professional code of ethics covering confidentiality and impartiality.
• Ability to recognize the needs of non-English speaking students and parents.
• Interpret/translate to and from English and a designated language without altering the original meaning and intent.
• Able to use software to prepare written documents and access databases used in education.
• Use electronic equipment to broadcast voice to a large audience.
• Ability to work independently and perform daily assignments.

Requisite Education and Experience

• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent; two years of college with a minimum of 16 credit hours of English and/or the designed language sought by the district preferred.
• Must possess at least two (2) years of experience involving simultaneous oral translation and conversation of written documents and forms from one language into another.
• Must possess at least five (5) years of progressively responsible multi-language experiences with proficiency in that language.
• A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications or a recognized training program with an emphasis on the ethics of interpreting and translating and the need for confidentiality.
• Certification as an interpreter/translator will be a requirement if not already held and the candidate must be willing to participate in a certification program if hired by the division.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors, and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom or office environment.  Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Clearance

Criminal Justice Background check, Fingerprinting, TB Assessment

Supervision Exercised:  Dependent on grade level and subject; may include instructional assistants, volunteers, tutors.

Supervision Received:  Principal(s)

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The applicant will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator.  Accomack County Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.

The Accomack County School System does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, handicap, race, religion, color, or national origin in its employment practices.

"We are an equal opportunity employer."