Mission Essential Is Hiring A Mandarin Interpreter Refugee

Join us as a Mandarin Interpreter for Refugee Support (ILR 2+) in New York and help provide vital language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. Travel support is available for remote candidates! 🌎✨

Position: Mandarin Interpreter for Refugee Support (ILR 2+)

Location: New York

If you are not local and wish to support, we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also available! 🍽️🚗

Position Description

We are excited to offer new opportunities supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services I (HHS I) in providing critical language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. We are seeking linguists who speak Mandarin at an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 2+ or higher.

About ILR Levels

The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale is the U.S. government standard for measuring language proficiency. It ranges from Level 0 (No Proficiency) to Level 5 (Native or Bilingual Proficiency).

• ILR Level 2+ (“Professional Working Proficiency”) indicates that a linguist can speak, understand, read, and write the language with sufficient accuracy and fluency to participate effectively in most conversations on practical, social, and some professional topics.

Position Overview

As a linguist, you will provide accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation and translation services at ILR Level 2+ or higher. Your role will support communication between Care Staff, unaccompanied children (UC), unaccompanied minors (UAM), and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). You serve as a Communication Liaison, ensuring all parties can fully understand each other in diverse settings.

Key Responsibilities

• In-person interpretation: Provide onsite interpretation at Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs and service locations (preferred).
• Remote interpretation: Deliver virtual services via telephone, video conference, or other means, including availability for 24/7 requests.
• Facilitate communication: Convey deadlines, instructions, questions, and vital information between Care Staff and UC/UAM/URM in their native or preferred language.
• Assist non-English speakers: Support UC/UAM/URM in expressing concerns, questions, or needs when they aren't fluent or comfortable communicating in English or the language spoken by Care Staff.
• Use professional judgment: Demonstrate high-level judgment to mitigate language barriers and ensure effective communication, based on your experience and proficiency.
• Support orientation: Help UC/UAM/URM access community resources through interpretation and translation.
• Translate documents: Convert written materials between English and the preferred language, and occasionally other source languages as needed.
• Cultural bridge: Assist Care Staff in understanding cultural context to build rapport and reduce stress for the children, while not replacing case managers or clinicians.

Requirements

• ILR Level 2+ proficiency in both English (listening and speaking) and Mandarin (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Qualifications through academic degree or experience/education combination accepted.
• Successful completion of a Tier 2 background check; security clearance is not required.
• Demonstrated discretion, judgment, and advanced knowledge in linguistics.
• Ability to apply advanced language skills, cultural expertise, and professional judgment to sensitive and complex situations.
• Autonomy, decision-making skills, and a high sense of responsibility to manage language services effectively.

Desired Skills

• Prior experience as a linguist in foster care, social services, or medical environments.