Mission Essential Is Hiring A Vietnamese Linguist

Vietnamese Linguist Position for Refugee Support in Bridgewater, NJ 🎯

Join us in making a meaningful impact by providing essential language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. Support your community and help bridge language barriers in critical situations!

Location & Travel Support 🌍

• Location: Bridgewater, NJ
• Relocation Assistance: We provide a flight and rental car for those not local.
• Additional Perks: Some meals and incidentals are covered.

Position Description 📝

We are excited to offer new opportunities supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS I) by providing vital language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. We seek linguists fluent in Vietnamese, with an ILR Level 2+ or higher.

About ILR Levels 🔍

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

• ILR Level 2+ ("Professional Working Proficiency") indicates the ability to speak, understand, read, and write the language with sufficient accuracy for effective participation in practical, social, and some professional conversations.

Position Overview 🛠️

As a linguist, you will provide accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation and translation services at ILR Level 2+ or higher. Your role is pivotal in supporting communication between Care Staff, unaccompanied children (UC), unaccompanied minors (UAM), and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). You will serve as a Communication Liaison, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding in diverse settings.

Key Responsibilities 🎯

• Onsite Interpretation: Provide in-person interpretation at ORR programs and service locations (preferred).
• Remote Interpretation: Offer virtual interpretation via telephone, videoconference, and other methods, including 24/7 availability.
• Facilitate Communication: Relay deadlines, instructions, questions, and other info effectively in the native or preferred language.
• Support UC/UAM/URM: Help express concerns or needs when English or the primary language is a barrier.
• Apply Professional Judgment: Use your experience and proficiency to mitigate language barriers and ensure effective communication.
• Community Resource Orientation: Assist UC/UAM/URM in accessing available community resources through interpretation and translation.
• Document Translation: Translate documents between English and the target language, occasionally involving other languages.
• Cultural Bridging: Help Care Staff understand the cultural context to build rapport, while recognizing that linguists are not substitutes for case managers or clinicians.

Requirements ✅

• Language Proficiency: ILR Level 2+ in both English and Vietnamese (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
• Background Check: Successful completion of Tier 2 background check; security clearance not required.
• Judgment & Discretion: Demonstrate advanced knowledge in linguistics, exercising discretion in sensitive situations.
• Autonomy & Responsibility: Ability to work independently, make decisions, and manage language services effectively to meet program needs.

Desired Skills 🌟

• Previous experience as a linguist in foster care, social services, or medical care environments is highly valued.