What are the responsibilities and job description for the Q'eqchi Linguist position at Mission Essential?
Position Description:
Mission Essential is excited to have work supporting Health and Human Services (HHS) providing refugee support to unaccompanied minors in need of interpretation services. We are looking for linguists who speak Q'eqchi at a 2 IRL level. Linguists shall interpret 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. Linguist translation and interpretation support shall:
• Provide in-person, onsite interpretation at Office of Refugee Resettlement (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 interpretation services to aid in orienting UC/UAM/URM to community resources as requested.
• 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/URM can build a cultural connection. To the extent possible, conversations must remain lighthearted to alleviate stress and anxiety of the children linguist services are being provided to.
Requirements:
- Candidate shall have a working proficiency (Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2 ) in English and Q'eqchi.
- Candidate does not require a security clearance, however, will need to pass Tier 2 background check and complete all ORR position requirements.
- Candidate must be willing to travel to locations that need the assistance and work away from home up to 100% of the time.
-(Flight, hotel, rental car, and daily per diem be provided for assignments away from your home city.)
- Must be U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card)
- Must possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license.
Desired Skills:
- Linguist experience in foster care or medical care situations is beneficial but not required.
Supporting this mission will likely 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 work location.
