Punjabi Linguist

Mission Essential; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight coverage

Hotel coverage

Per diem

Job summary

Mission Essential seeks linguists to support Health and Human Services refugee programs, with Punjabi language focus at ILR 2+ level. The role emphasizes accurate interpretation for Care Staff and ORR partners, in-person work preferred and remote options available around the clock.

Interpreters will relay deadlines and questions, aid cultural context, and translate documents as needed. Background checks required; flight, hotel, and per diem may be provided for non-local assignments.

Qualifications

• ILR level 2+ in English and SCRL required.
• No security clearance required, Tier 2 background check required.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-person interpretation at ORR programs and service sites.
• Provide remote telephonic/video interpretation as needed.
• Relay information between staff and UC/UAM/URM in preferred language.
• Assist UC/UAM/URM in communicating concerns to staff.
• Translate documents between English and recipient's language as needed.

Skills

Punjabi ILR 2+

English ILR 2+

Communication skills

Job description

Mission Essential is excited to announce we have new work supporting Health and Human Services (HHS) providing refugee support to unaccompanied minors in need of translation services. We will be looking for linguists who speak Punjabi at a 2+IRL level. Linguists shall translate information to and for Care Staff and other individuals, as appropriate. Linguists serve as Communication Liaisons to ensure accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation is available in a variety of settings. Services shall be rendered in-person primarily (preferred); and via telephone, videoconference, or other virtual means available 24x7 if necessary. Linguist translation and interpretation support shall:

• Provide in-person, onsite interpretation at Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs and service sites
• Provide remote telephonic and/or video interpretation for ORR programs and service sites
• Relay important deadlines, instructions, questions, and other communication from Support Care Staff to UC/UAM/URM in their native or preferred language
• Assist UC/UAM/URM in communicating any concerns, questions, or other information to staff when UC/UAM/URM are not fluent or comfortable speaking English or the language spoken by Care Staff
• Provide translation/interpretation services to aid in orienting UC/UAM/URM to community resources as requested
• Translate documents from English into the preferred and primary language spoken by the ORR-eligible recipient and vice-versa, as requested; at times, the vendor may need to translate into the preferred and primary language from a source language other than English. Source documents may come from ORR or come from the ORR-eligible recipient him or herself
• Assist staff with building rapport and understanding the cultural context of the ORR populations they serve. The linguist does not replace the role of the program(s) case manager or clinician, but rather serves as a person with which the UC/UAM/UM can build a cultural connection. To the extent possible, conversations must remain lighthearted to alleviate stress and anxiety in children

Requirements:

• Candidate shall have a working proficiency (Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2+) in English and the SCRL.
• Candidate does not require a security clearance, however, will need to pass Tier 2 background check.

Desired Skills:

• Linguist experience in foster care or medical care situations is preferred

Supporting this mission could mean working away from your home of record. If you are willing to support and are not local to the area, flight, hotel, and transportation will be provided. Per diem is also offered if you are not local to the sight.