Interpreter - Lowell, MA - International Institute of New England

The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 4,000 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, and rapidly growing non-profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Overview
IINE Interpreters provide interpretation and translation services for staff and clients on an as-need basis. This position is an on-call role which does not guarantee a certain number of hours. Once hired, Interpreters are added to a database that is updated regularly. When an interpreter or translation services are required, staff contact those individuals in the database that speak the applicable language and arrange a time and space for them to provide those services.

Position: Interpreter

• Department: Programs
• Reports to: Program Admin Assistant
• Supervises: N/A
• Status: Part-Time, On Call
• Location: Lowell, MA
• Position Format: Remote
• Pay Range: $20/hour

Responsibilities

• Provide interpreting/translating services for employees and other individuals for meetings, interviews, telephone calls, etc. including one-to-one and group settings.
• Facilitate communication for clients with limited English proficiency.
• Translate orally or in writing all documents presented by staff and/or client.
• Participate in related workshops and program activities as needed.
• Prepare written translations of instructional and educational materials, correspondence, and forms when appropriate for use by the staff, clients, and other individuals.
• Review translated material for accuracy of meaning, grammar and syntax.
• Answer inquiries from staff, clients, and other individuals as appropriate and in a timely manner.
• Interpret and explain words and phrases for meaning and appropriateness.
• Relay the style and tone of the original language and render spoken messages accurately, quickly, and clearly.
• Perform all other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Possess an ability to communicate exactly what is spoken without communicating opinions or tangential thoughts.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, grammar, and history.
• Previous translation/interpreter work preferred, but not required.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods and in high stress situations.
• Patience and sensitivity towards the needs of clients.
• Experience working with multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and international populations preferred, but not required.
• Extremely well organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High-levels of discretion and professionalism in dealing with confidential information.

Education & Experience

• Associate Degree in Human services, Social Work, or other related field
• Fluency in English and at least one other language, such as: Rohingya, Dinka, and/or Haitian Creole

Physical Demands

• Requires ability to interpret in a quiet space, free from interruptions and/or excessive background noise.
• May require sitting or standing for long periods of time when interpreting/translating.

Covid-19 Policy

IINE does not require applicants for most positions to show proof of Covid-19. Some federal contracts, however, require IINE staff to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and some immigration status adjustments, such as a Green Card, require proof of Covid-19 vaccination as well. Consequently, for some positions, IINE staff may be required to show proof of vaccination, and in others, IINE staff will be supporting clients who are required by law to have proof of vaccination in order to adjust their status in the United States.

US Work Eligibility Notice

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States, and IINE is unable to provide visa sponsorship in connection with this.