Overview

The Foreign Language Interpreter is tasked with providing precise and culturally sensitive oral interpretation services for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role is crucial in facilitating accurate and effective communication during immigration interviews and proceedings through various interpretation modalities.

This position performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of Cayuse.

Responsibilities

• Interpret spoken communication accurately during interviews conducted by USCIS, ensuring clear understanding between officers, applicants, representatives, and witnesses.
• Attain and maintain fluency in one or more foreign languages to the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) within six months of receiving security clearance.
• Conduct telephonic monitoring of interpretation services to verify accuracy and consistency during interviews between Asylum Officers and provided interpreters.
• Deliver interpretation services that include oral face-to-face interpretation for in-person interviews as well as telephonic and video conferencing interpretation to suit various settings and requirements.
• Manage time effectively to accommodate the estimated call durations for different types of immigration cases, including but not limited to affirmative asylum, credible fear, reasonable fear screenings, and safe third country screenings.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• United States Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.
• At least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Demonstrated proficiency in grammar with native-level proficiency in English and at least one other language.
• Ability to achieve fluency in foreign languages as per standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Interagency Language Roundtable, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages within six months of security approval.
• Residency within the United States or its territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.
• Ability to Interpret in one of the following languages: Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Haitian Creole, Portugeuese, Mandarin, French, and Wolof.
• Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fitness Clearance
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.
• Must possess problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to respond effectively to customers with a sense of urgency.
• Proficient in Microsoft and Adobe toolsets, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
• Highly motivated with the ability to handle and manage multiple tasks at any one time.
• Ability to forge new relationships, individual and teaming in nature.
• Must be a Self-starter, that can work independently and as part of a team.
  

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced certifications or degrees in interpretation, linguistics, or related fields.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional interpretation experience.
• Ability to handle and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with high motivation.
• Cultural sensitivity during the interpretation process for both the original and target languages.
  
  

Reports to: Program Manager; Deputy Program Manager

• Professional office environment.
• Hybrid work environment. Possibility for remote and on-site assignments.
• Work may be carried out in a professional office environment, USCIS offices, DHS facilities depending on the needs.
• Must be able to work at one of the following offices: Arlington, VA, HQASM, MD, Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New Orleans, LA, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, Tampa, FL for interpretation assignments.
• Must be available to be on-call as needed to accommodate potential job requests.
  
  

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay Range

USD $28.73 - USD $28.73 /Hr.