Description
We strongly believe that diversity of experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will consistently lead to a better school system and better results for all students. We are working hard to increase the diversity of our team wherever we can and we actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of it.
Position: Translator/Interpreter (Spanish speaking)
Location: Districtwide
Reports To: Educational Equity Coordinator
Schedule: Full-Time, Academic School Year (190 days), requires some evening work
Pay Rate: $32.26 per hour
Position Summary:
Our districtwide Translator/Interpreter positions play a key role in helping us live out our district commitment to building strong relationships with families. They facilitate communication between Spanish-speaking students and families and English-speaking school staff. They provide interpreting services in various settings and regularly translate documents and messages into Spanish. They collaborate with our school sites to ensure that we provide high-quality language support for our Spanish-speaking families.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree OR Associate's Degree and 3 years of experience OR HS graduate with 5 years of experience OR equivalent combination of education/training/experience
- Oral and written proficiency in English and Spanish
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, including excellent customer service skills with parents, students, staff, administration, and the community
- Demonstrated ability to interpret in different modes (consecutive, simultaneous, phone, video remote, whispered, and sight interpretation).
- Demonstrated ability to provide simultaneous interpretations in a variety of settings
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality and accurate translations for various audiences and message types.
- Demonstrated ability to answer inquiries and interpret and explain words and phrases for meaning and appropriateness.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively cross-culturally
- Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented, self-motivated, collaborative, and able to multitask.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certification or specialized training in translation and interpretation
- Prior experience working in a K-12 educational environment.
- Prior experience working in a Translator/Interpreter role.
- Demonstrated ability to use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and idioms in both English and Spanish.
- Demonstrated ability to provide equivalent translations of general, technical, and subject-matter terms.
- Understanding of Special Education language, documents, and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use district technology.
- Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and relationship building skills.
Essential functions of the position may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Work collaboratively on the district translators/interpreter team to coordinate and respond promptly to school site requests.
- Review translated material submitted by District personnel and other translators and proofread/edit for accuracy of meaning, grammar, and syntax.
- Partner with school staff to meet the interpretation needs of families during conferences and other school events (some that require evening work)
- Provide interpretation for parents during enrollment, suspensions, expulsions, IEP meetings, and other parent meetings.
- Provide accurate interpretation for district Special Ed staff responsible for administering other assessments determined through the IEP process (i.e. psychological, speech, and language).
- When available, provide simultaneous interpretations at District meetings, including using headphones and microphones.
- Follow the Minnesota Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as well as District guidelines to protect the confidentiality of information at all times.
- Attend monthly translator/interpreter and cultural liaison team meetings.
- Assist school and district staff in deepening their understanding of and responsiveness to Spanish-speaking cultures represented in School District 197.
- Drive their own vehicle to offer interpretation and translation services at various district sites on a regular basis.
- Serve as an ambassador for School District 197 as they carry out their role.
- Other duties as assigned.
It is the policy, practice, and commitment of District 197 to provide equal employment opportunities for all people without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
Please contact human resources if you need financial assistance for your pre-employment screening.