SCA Foreign Language Translator

SOSi • McAllen, TX

1d

About The Position

SOSi is seeking SCA Foreign Language Translators in multiple locations across the United States for a variety of languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, Foochow, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Jamaican Patois, Laotian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese. The role supports government agency investigations and requires advanced understanding of the selected language and vernacular. Work includes summarizing, translating, and transcribing source materials on an as-needed basis.

Translators may monitor, interpret, validate, and perform quality control on source materials and intercepts, providing accurate English-language transcripts, translations, interceptions, or summaries. The role also includes administrative tasks, participation in client-sponsored equipment and software training, attendance at minimization briefings, compliance with court minimization procedures, and potentially testifying as a fact witness about completed work. Source materials may include audio and video conversations, documents, legal materials, personal papers, and internet-based communications or social media.

Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Law Enforcement Sensitive clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).
• High school diploma or equivalent training and education.
• At least four years of combined work and educational experience in translation, interpreting, or other work requiring English and another language at native or near-native level.
• Complete language proficiency testing, or provide proof of successful completion, at a rating of 3 or above in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, meeting contract standards.
• Excellent command of English and ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Native- or near-native ability to listen to and comprehend a foreign language and accurately follow basic elements of written or verbal conversation.
• Native- or near-native ability to read and comprehend a foreign language and understand varied text types.
• Ability to understand foreign-language slang and colloquial expressions and translate them into English equivalents.
• Broad English vocabulary sufficient to avoid unnecessary paraphrasing or explanation.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet specific deadlines.
• Typing or word-processing skills of at least 40 words per minute; the Government may waive this level in extenuating circumstances, subject to case-by-case evaluation by the COR.
• Ability to understand the specific tasks being processed and produced.
• Ability to effectively understand face-to-face speech, with a sufficiently broad vocabulary to avoid unnecessary paraphrasing or explanations.
• Willingness to work weekends and a flexible schedule.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, translate, transcribe, interpret, perform quality control, and validate services.
• Produce accurate English transcriptions, translations, interceptions, and/or summaries of source materials or intercepts.
• Perform multifunctional duties, including transcribing or translating materials and quality-checking work completed by other linguists when not intercepting.
• Attend government-sponsored training on client equipment and software, including audio recording machines and computerized word-processing or data-management software.
• Perform task-related administrative duties, such as organizing log sheets, line sheets, tapes, summaries, and paperwork, and labeling storage boxes.
• Attend minimization briefings conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the client, and comply with court regulations concerning minimization procedures.
• Testify in court as a fact witness, if required, regarding the accuracy and validity of completed work.
• Prepare transcriptions from source exhibits including recorded conversations, documents, legal materials, personal papers, and internet-based communications or social media.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED