Translator

GardaWorld Federal Services; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

GardaWorld Federal Services in Surprise, AZ is seeking a professional English-Spanish interpreter and translator to support detainees, facility staff, medical teams, and legal representatives. The role emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and adherence to security procedures.

Responsibilities include live interpretation during interviews and appointments, translating notices and documents, and maintaining records.

Qualifications

• Fluent English and Spanish with strong speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
• Minimum 1 year of translation/interpretation experience or 1 year in law enforcement, corrections, or military.
• Proof of citizenship or US work authorization.
• If prior active-duty military, provide DD214 copies.
• Fingerprinting required.
• At least 21 years old and HS diploma or equivalent.
• Clean background check and medical/drug screening.
• Excellent communication, observation and report-writing skills.
• Ability to stay calm and effective under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide spoken interpretation between English and Spanish during resident interviews, medical appointments, legal meetings, and routine facility interactions.
• Translate notices, forms and other materials preserving meaning, tone and intent.
• Interpret terminology related to facility operations, medical care, legal services and safety procedures.
• Remain impartial and avoid altering information during interpretation or translation.
• Protect confidential information per policies and requirements.
• Maintain records of assignments and support audits and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate with facility personnel, medical teams, legal representatives, government partners and outside providers.
• Follow access controls, contraband restrictions, safety requirements and security procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries, cultural sensitivity and composure in high-stress situations.
• Provide timely language assistance to support secure facility operations.

Skills

Fluent English

Fluent Spanish

Bilingual communication

Calm under pressure

Excellent writing

Education

High school diploma

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION: BASIC DETAILS

Location: Surprise, AZ

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Travel Requirement: No

Teleworking: No

Pay: $24.86/hr. ($19.77/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 date of later this year.

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.