Jamaican Patois Translator, DOJ LSS

Yorktown Systems Group

Washington

Remote

USD 28,000 - 50,000

Part time

14 days+

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Job summary

A government contractor is seeking a qualified Jamaican Patois Translator to support the Department of Justice with translation, interpretation, and transcription services. The role requires experience in legal translations and the ability to handle sensitive material while ensuring confidentiality. The ideal candidate should be fluent in both English and Jamaican Patois and have a professional command of legal vocabulary. This is a part-time, remote position with possible travel requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum of two years of experience in translation.
ILR 3 minimum or equivalent scores in language tests.
Must be a U.S. citizen and have lived in the U.S. for 3 of the last 5 years.
Experience working with law enforcement or legal departments is required.
Ability to translate accurately without omissions or changes.
Proficiency with translation resources and references.
Native-language writing ability with professional command of the non-native language.
Translate faithfully without changes or omissions.
Maintain tone and register; adhere to ethics.
Proficient in CAT tools, especially SDL Trados Studio.

Responsibilities

Provide translation, interpretation, and transcription services.
Handle various types of legal documents and media.
Ensure confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards.

Skills

Translation experience

Knowledge of legal vocabulary

Research skills

Fluency in English and Jamaican Patois

Proficiency in Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools

Reference materials

Native-language writing

Accuracy and fidelity

Ethics in translation

CAT tools SDL Trados Studio

Tools

SDL Trados Studio

Job description

Job Title

Location

National Capital Region (NCR) - Washington, DC 20540 US (Primary)

Job Description

Summary:

The Unconventional (TU) is seeking a qualified Jamaican Patois Translator to support the Department of Justice (DOJ) with Translation, Interpretation, Transcription and other Linguistic Support Services (LSS). Such activities may include the translation of all manner of documents (written and electronic) and video and/or audio media content (e.g., compact discs, .wav files), as well as ancillary services, such as court and deposition interpretation. Source material will contain legal, business, public administrative, medical, scientific, financial, historical, geographical, and military terminology, and concepts, including those dealing with technology as used in the sciences (chemical, physical, cyber). The specialized terminology used to express concepts in any of the given subject areas usually vary considerably from everyday usage in any of the target or source languages in question.

The material to be translated, transcribed, or interpreted is legal in nature. Materials may be provided to the Contractor in a variety of formats, including electronic or hard copies of books, journal articles, reports, manuscripts, letters, legal documents, memoranda, multi-media presentations, spreadsheets, email correspondence, SMS and MMS messages, and audio or video files. The substance of the materials may vary widely from highly complex, technical, and specialized information, to very informal, street language and textspeak. Examples of subject matter areas include: medical and autopsy reports; chemical lab reports; bank statements, cryptocurrency transaction tracking, and wire transfers; charging documents, warrants, treaties, statutes, regulations, court decisions, executive decisions, extradition requests, and mutual legal assistance requests; informal communications using coded language, highly time‑sensitive treaty or extradition matters, and law enforcement sensitive information.

All of the material made available to the Contractor will be considered “sensitive,” requiring that strict controls and confidentiality measures are in place at all times.

Job Requirements

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in translation.
Qualifying scores ILR 3 minimum or equivalent on language/translation tests.
Must have lived 3 of the last 5 years in the U.S. (does not have to be consecutive).
Must have at least 1 year of experience working with a law enforcement and/or legal department.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Know both English and foreign language vocabularies used in formal, legal, diplomatic, consultative, and casual modes of communication in various contexts, including colloquial slang, idiosyncratic slang, and regionalisms.
Know specialized vocabulary (and terminology) in both English and the foreign language related to the Government’s varied roles and missions, as well as possess research and analytical skills to make critical judgments regarding terminology, including expertise in the use of translation resources, monolingual reference materials, and online material.
Write in their native language fluently, but still have professional command of the non-native language.
Translate in a manner that is factually and conceptually accurate without changes, omissions, or additions.
Preserve the tone and register of source language materials.
Abide by relevant code of linguist ethics.
Proficient in using Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, with a strong emphasis on SDL Trados Studio.