Translator

GardaWorld Federal Services; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 56,238,000 - 76,086,000; Full time

Job summary

GardaWorld Federal Services seeks an English–Spanish interpreter/translator for a detention facility in San Antonio, TX. You will provide accurate interpretation for residents, staff, medical and legal teams, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with security procedures.

You must be fluent in both languages, with at least one year of translation/interpretation experience or related law enforcement exposure, and you will work in a highly sensitive, fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Must be fluent in English and Spanish with strong speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
• Minimum of one year of professional translation/interpretation or related bilingual experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide spoken interpretation between English and Spanish during interviews, medical appointments, legal meetings, orientations, and program activities.
• Translate notices, forms, instructions, and reports preserving meaning and tone.
• Interpret facility operations, medical, legal, safety terms clearly and accurately.
• Remain impartial; do not add, omit, or alter information during interpretation.
• Protect confidential information per policies and security requirements.

Skills

Bilingual: English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION: BASIC DETAILS

Location: San Antonio, TX

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Travel Requirement: No

Teleworking: No

Pay: $23.09/hr. ($18.00/hr. base rate + $5.09 H&W)

• Pay rates listed reflect the full rate for this position, including both the base pay and health and welfare benefits in accordance with applicable requirements. Pay is based on numerous factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Note: We are currently building a pipeline for this role, with an expected start of Spring 2027

Position Summary Information: Duties and Requirements

Position Overview

In this role, you will provide accurate and impartial spoken interpretation and written translation between English and Spanish for detainees, facility personnel, medical staff, legal representatives, visitors, and operational departments within the detention facility. You will help ensure clear communication while safeguarding confidentiality and following government facility standards, facility policies, and security procedures. This position requires fluency in both languages, cultural awareness, sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to communicate accurately in sensitive or high-stress situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide spoken interpretation between English and Spanish during resident interviews, medical appointments, legal meetings, orientations, programs, and routine facility interactions.
• Translate written notices, forms, instructions, correspondence, reports, and other approved materials while preserving meaning, tone, and intent.
• Interpret terminology related to facility operations, medical care, legal services, safety procedures, and resident services clearly and accurately.
• Remain impartial and avoid adding, omitting, summarizing, or changing information during interpretation or translation.
• Protect confidential resident, medical, legal, personnel, and operational information in accordance with applicable policies and requirements.
• Ask for clarification when terminology, meaning, or context is unclear and report communication concerns through the appropriate chain of command.
• Maintain accurate records of translation and interpretation assignments and support audits, inspections, and compliance reviews as required.
• Coordinate professionally with facility personnel, medical teams, legal representatives, government partners, and outside service providers.
• Follow facility access controls, contraband restrictions, safety requirements, and all operational security procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries, cultural sensitivity, composure, and accuracy in confidential or high-stress situations.
• Support secure and efficient facility operations by providing timely language assistance as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be fluent in English and Spanish with strong speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in both languages.
• Must possess a minimum of one (1) year of professional translation, interpretation, or closely related bilingual communication experience. This requirement can be substituted with one (1) year of relevant experience in law enforcement, corrections, or the military.
• Must be able to provide proof of citizenship or legal US work authorization.
• If prior active-duty military, must provide copies of DD214(s) showing discharge condition.
• Must consent to fingerprinting.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Clean criminal record and ability to pass a comprehensive background check and security screening.
• Ability to pass a preemployment medical assessment and drug screening.
• Excellent communication, observation, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure and in high-stress situations.

Work Environment

Employees may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise.

Physical Requirements

Employees may be required to remain in a stationary position, stand, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, balance, squat, bend, and reach. Employees may be also required to use gear to move items around, including, but not limited to, carts and dollies. Employees may also be occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 49 pounds.

GardaWorld Federal Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.