Chinese Mandarin Linguist

Localizationacademy; San Benito (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Localizationacademy is seeking a Mandarin Chinese linguist for San Benito, TX, to provide interpretation and translation services at ILR Level 2+ for unaccompanied minors under HHS guidelines. The role emphasizes accurate, confidential communication across care staff and URM teams.

The position requires on-site work with potential remote interpretation and a strong understanding of cultural context to bridge language gaps and ensure clear, compassionate support for UC/UAM/URM participants.

Qualifications

• ILR Level 2+ proficiency in English and Mandarin.
• Successful completion of a Tier 2 background check.
• Ability to provide interpretation and translation in sensitive settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site interpretation at ORR programs.
• Deliver remote interpretation as needed, including 24/7 requests.
• Translate documents between English and Mandarin as required.
• Facilitate communication between Care Staff and UC/UAM/URM.
• Support staff with cultural context and resource orientation.

Skills

ILR Level 2+ proficiency

Interpretation & translation

Cultural liaison

Job description

Position: Chinese Mandarin Linguist

Location: San Benito, TX

Language Requirement: 2+ ILR level

Position Description:

We are excited to announce new opportunities supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services I (HHS I) in providing critical language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. We are seeking linguists who speak Mandarin at an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 2 + or higher.

About ILR levels:

• ILR Level 2+ (Professional Working Proficiency) indicates that a linguist can speak, understand, read, and write the language with sufficient accuracy and fluency to participate effectively in most conversations on practical, social, and some professional topics.

Position Overview:

Linguists will provide accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation and translation services at ILR Level 2+ proficiency or higher to support communication between Care Staff, unaccompanied children (UC), unaccompanied minors (UAM), and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). Linguists serve as Communication Liaisons to ensure all parties can fully understand one another in a variety of settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide in-person, onsite interpretation at Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs and service locations (preferred).
• Deliver remote interpretation services via telephone, videoconference, or other virtual means as needed, including availability for 24/7 requests.
• Facilitate communication of important deadlines, instructions, questions, and other information between Care Staff and UC/UAM/URM in their native or preferred language.
• Assist UC/UAM/URM in expressing concerns, questions, or needs when they are not fluent or comfortable communicating in English or the language spoken by Care Staff.
• Demonstrate a high-level of professional judgment, based on the candidate's own experience and language proficiency, to mitigate language barriers and ensure effective communication between Care Staff and a UC, UAM or URM.
• Support the orientation of UC/UAM/URM to available community resources through interpretation and translation.
• Translate documents from English to the preferred language and vice versa, and occasionally from other source languages, as required.
• Help Care Staff build rapport and understand the cultural context of the populations served; while linguists are not substitutes for case managers or clinicians, they play a vital role in establishing a cultural bridge and alleviating stress for the children.

Requirements:

• ILR Level 2+ proficiency in both English (listening and speaking) and the target language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) whether obtained through either a specialized academic degree or a combination of experience/education.
• Successful completion of a Tier 2 background check; no security clearance required.
• Consistent exercise of discretion and judgment and advanced knowledge in the field of linguistics.
• The linguist is expected to apply advanced language skills, cultural expertise, and professional judgment to facilitate communication in sensitive and complex situations.
• The work requires autonomy, decision-making, and a high degree of responsibility in managing language services to meet the needs of ORR programs and the vulnerable populations served.

Desired Skills:

• Prior experience as a linguist in foster care, social services, or medical care environments.