Hindi Linguist (on-site)

The Mission Essential Group, LLC; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mission Essential Group, LLC is seeking a Hindi Linguist for Corpus Christi, TX to support HHS I programs. Candidates must have ILR Level 2+ proficiency in Hindi and English and will provide interpretation and translation in sensitive settings involving unaccompanied minors and care staff.

The role involves on-site interpretation at ORR locations, remote interpretation as needed, document translation, and acting as a cultural liaison to facilitate clear communication.

Qualifications

• ILR Level 2+ proficiency in English and Hindi.
• Tier 2 background check completed; no security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-course, on-site interpretation at ORR programs and service locations (preferred).
• Deliver remote interpretation services via telephone or videoconference as needed, including 24/7 availability.

Skills

Hindi proficiency

English proficiency

Education

Academic degree in linguistics or related field

Job description

Position

Hindi Linguist – Corpus Christi, TX

Language Requirement

ILR Level 2+ (Professional Working Proficiency) in Hindi and English.

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 Hindi at an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 2 + or higher.

About ILR levels

The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale is the U.S. government standard for measuring language proficiency. It ranges from Level 0 (No Proficiency) to Level 5 (Native or Bilingual Proficiency).

• 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) obtained through an academic degree or a combination of experience and 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.
• Expected to apply advanced language skills, cultural expertise, and professional judgment to facilitate communication in sensitive and complex situations.
• 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.