District Translator

Lompoc Unified School District; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Lompoc Unified School District seeks a District Translator to provide complex interpretation and written translation services (e.g., Spanish to English) for meetings, documents, and communications across district programs.

Qualifications include a high school diploma with translation/interpretation coursework and at least two years of related experience; a certificate is desirable. The role supports DELAC, IEPs, and district communications.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent, plus training or coursework in interpretation and translation tech.
• Two years of related experience performing interpreting and translating functions with increasing responsibilities.
• Certificate in translation and interpretation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide complex, accurate oral interpretations and written translations (e.g., Spanish–English) for meetings and materials.
• Interpret or translate for internal and external parties with speed and accuracy.
• Attend meetings and community events as a district interpreter.
• Translate a wide range of documents including IEPs, reports, calendars and policies.
• Supervise and train bilingual staff in translation and interpretation standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and work with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Translation & interpretation

Proficiency testing

Communication skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Translation/interpretation coursework

Tools

Translation technology training

Job description

DISTRICT TRANSLATOR

POSTING IS OPEN AND PROMOTIONAL WITH PROMOTIONAL TAKING PRECEDENCE

The established Eligibility List will remain in effect for one year.
The District has the right to limit the number of eligible which can be reasonably used during the existence of the eligibility list. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Description
DISTRICT TRANSLATOR
POSTING IS OPEN AND PROMOTIONAL WITH PROMOTIONAL TAKING PRECEDENCE
The established Eligibility List will remain in effect for one year.
The purpose of this recruitment is to establish an eligibility list to fill future vacancies.
District Translator positions are typically 12 months / 8.0 hours per day
Application Process:
Applicants who successfully meet the employment standards outlined in the Required Qualifications in the job description and the supplemental questionnaire questions in the application will be invited to participate in the testing process.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Required Testing:
To be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (Minimum Qualifications for Education and Experience and Licenses and other Requirements) shown below:
Pre-employment Proficiency Test, which may include a multiple-choice test, performance test, Qualifications Appraisal Interview (QAI), and
Bilingual Skills Proficiency Test
Tentative Testing Schedule For This Recruitment:
Written and Performance Testing Date: October 28, 2026
Qualifications Appraisal Interview Date: November 10, 2026
Education And Experience
Any combination equivalent to: High School diploma or equivalent supplemented by training or coursework in interpretation and translation technology and two years of related experience performing interpreting and translating functions with increasing levels of responsibility.
Continuing Education/Training
Training necessary to maintain and/or update skills related to this position.
Licenses And Other Requirements:

• Valid Class C driver's license and evidence of insurability
• Certificate in translation and interpretation is desirable

Examples of Duties

• Provide complex, correct and responsible technical and non-technical oral interpretations and written translation work from source language into target language or vice-versa (e.g., Spanish to English) with speed, accuracy and correct pronunciation for various meetings, documents and activities.
• Respond to questions and interpret or translate appropriately with correct pronunciation from source language to target language (e.g., English to Spanish) with speed and accuracy for both internal and external parties such as staff, parents, students, and/or public agencies for the purpose of providing information and/or routing inquiries.
• Attend a wide variety of meetings, community meetings, hearings, and interviews for the purpose of serving as an interpreter of conversations (e.g., Spanish to English).
• Convert a variety of written materials from one language to another with speed and accuracy for the purpose of providing documents from/to second language for use in the classroom and/or for communication with student family members and the non-English speaking community members.
• Assists in organizing, attends and interprets at District English Learners Advisory Council (DELAC) meetings for the purpose of providing support to the District and parents.
• Interpret and translate simultaneously or consecutively during various meetings with parents, expulsion hearings, DELAC meetings, counselor intakes, SST, psychological testing, School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearings, Individual Education Plan (IEP), parent complaints.
• Participate in workshops, conferences and/or meetings for the purpose of providing training for professional growth and/or conveying information.
• Prepare a high volume of written translations of a wide variety of documents, forms, handbooks, testing materials, eligibility reports, psychological reports, calendars, board policies and administrative regulations, stipulated agreements regarding student discipline, instructional and educational materials, IEPs, assessments, bulletins, and other correspondence, and manifestation hearing reports for the purpose of providing and translating materials.
• Provide training, direction and guidance to bilingual staff in the areas of translation and interpretation for the purpose of maintaining a consistent standard District-wide.
• Read a variety of materials including letters, instructional materials, brochures, articles, handbooks, bulletins, Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s), medical and psychological reports) for the purpose of translating materials.
• Translate a wide variety of documents verbatim and idiomatic materials and conversations from the source language to the target language, including special education IEP meetings and resulting correspondence and reports, forms, handbooks, curriculum and testing materials, legal and medical documents, department forms, email, literary books, state reports, newsletters, flyers, notices, minutes) for the purpose of ensuring accuracy of information.
• Verify translations made by others for the purpose of reviewing and editing materials for accuracy, context, readability, grammar, and style.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Required Testing:
Pre-employment Proficiency Test, which may include multiple choice test, performance test, Qualifications Appraisal Interview (QAI)
Bilingual Skills Proficiency Test
Education And Experience:
Any combination equivalent to: High School diploma or equivalent supplemented by training or course work in interpretation and translation technology and two years related experience performing interpreting and translating functions with increasing levels of responsibility.
Continuing Education/Training:
Training necessary to maintain and/or update skills related to this position.
Licenses And Other Requirements

• Valid Class C driver license and evidence of insurability
• Certificate in translation and interpretation is desirable

Knowledge Of:

• Mastery of language usage including vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percent, and ratios.
• Read, write, interpret and translate technical information, legally mandated educational requirements, and special education terminology.
• Compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions.
• Solve practical problems.
• Special education behavioral learning and coaching strategies, and cultural references including colloquialisms, slang and other expressions that do not translate literally.
• Multi-cultural concepts and be sensitive to diversity.

Ability To:

• Work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups.
• Work with data of varied types and purposes.
• Utilize specific, job-related equipment.
• Simultaneously and consecutively interpret between the source language and the target language between two or more parties; communicating with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Establish effective working relationships.
• Work independently under time constraints and adapting to changing work priorities.

Supplemental Information

• All sections of the application must be completed.
• Incomplete applications will be screened out.
• The section titled “Your Record of Experience” must demonstrate the type and years of experience required for this position.
• A resume will NOT be accepted in-lieu of a completed application.
• All correspondence will be done by email only. Please add Governmentjobs.com to your safe sender list as some emails go to junk and/or spam folders.
• PLEASE include three (3) professional references (this can include paid or unpaid volunteer work, persons who know of your work).

Application and Selection Process

• All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process for the position.
• The examination process may include one or more of the following: written, oral, and performance examination.
• Candidates must pass all parts of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list. The final score will determine the candidate's rank on the eligibility list.
• A candidate in the top three ranks (including tie scores) on the eligibility list may be considered for hire; when there are multiple vacancies in the same job classification, additional ranks will be considered.
• Open and Promotional examinations are open to applicants inside and outside the Lompoc Unified School District. To qualify for the promotional examination, employees must have permanent status in the Lompoc Unified School District as a classified employee.
• Promotional Only examinations are open to current Lompoc Unified School District classified employees only. For employees to qualify for the promotional examination, they must have permanent status in the District as a classified employee.
• Dual Certification examinations are open to all applicants, including current Lompoc Unified School District employees and those from the general public. Dual Certification results are integrated into one eligibility list based on rank.
• Eligibility lists are generally valid for up to one (1) year. Lists may be exhausted prior to the original expiration date, or they may be extended with the approval of the Personnel Commission.
• If you require disability accommodation for any step of the application and selection process, please notify the Classified Human Resources office in writing by the final date of this recruitment (or as soon as possible for an open continuous recruitment).
• The Lompoc Unified School District reserves the right to limit the applicants in the second examination, the Qualifications Appraisal Interview, to a number which can be expected to be used during the life of the eligibility list.
• Veterans' Preference Points: This recruitment is eligible for veterans' preference points for qualifying veterans upon initial hire.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Employment Verification: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the District must verify that all new employees, at the time of hire, have proof of their right to work in the United States.
Fingerprinting: State law requires that all employees be fingerprinted. AB 1610 prohibits employment until the Department of Justice completes its obligations regarding the arrest and conviction information.
Medical and Physical Requirements: Verification of freedom from tuberculosis will be required. A medical examination may be required of eligible candidates.
Anti-Discrimination Statement: The Lompoc Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying and sexual harassment based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, immigration status, marital status, parental status, family status, pregnancy status, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in all educational programs, school related or school-sponsored activities, school attendance or employment policies which may have an impact or create a hostile environment at school as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disability Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and other applicable laws and regulation. For questions or concerns regarding discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying or sexual harassment, please contact the District's Discrimination, Equity, and Title IX Compliance Officer: Assistant Superintendent Education Services, 1301 N. A ST, Lompoc CA 93436 [phone]
Lompoc Unified School District offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, vision plans, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term disability, cancer insurance, accident insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
A fully paid District provided medical plan is provided for each full-time classified employee. A full-time employee who does not enroll in a medical plan will automatically be enrolled in the least expensive medical plan.
A less than full-time employee working at least four (4) hours or more a day may enroll District provided plans at a prorated rate.
Employees can choose to enroll and purchase dental, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term disability, cancer insurance, and accident insurance.
District paid family and single-vision plans are offered to all employees regardless of full-time or part-time status.
01
Testing and Interview Dates Notice: Please note and save the following dates for testing and interviews. All communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

• I certify that I have read this notice and understand the instructions provided.

02
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

03
District Translator - Incumbents in this classification are required to read, speak and write in a designated language, performing highly complex tasks. Are you fluent in both Spanish and English? Note: Qualified applicants will be required to test for bilingual skills proficiency for this position.

• Yes
• No

04
District Translator - Do you have at certificate in translation and interpretation? If so, please attach a copy to your application.

• Yes
• No

05
District Translator - What do you feel qualifies you for this role?
06
District Translator - Do you have at least two years experience performing interpreting and translating functions with increasing levels of responsibility?

• Yes
• No

07
District Translator– If you indicated having two years or more experience related to performing interpreting and translating functions with increasing levels of responsibility, please describe where and how you gained this experience including: 1. Names of employers or volunteer work, 2. Dates of employment or volunteer service, 3. Duties performed, 4. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A." NOTE: "See Resume" is not a qualifying response to this question.
08
Before submitting your application, please make sure you have done the following: 1. Read the job description and understand the position you are applying for. 2. I meet the required experience and education requirements listed and have clearly stated my relevant experience and education on my application, including any proof of education required (this standard will be used to screen ALL applications received). 3. You have completed all sections of the application and answered all questions thoroughly.

• I certify that I have read this notice and understand the instructions provided.
• Required Question