Translation Quality Assurance Specialist (Bilingual Portuguese)

Framingham Public Schools•Framingham, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Translation Quality Assurance Specialist serves as a critical language access professional within the Department of Multilingual Education, executing the rapid processing, translation, and quality assurance of district-wide communications. This role utilizes district-approved AI-powered translation software to initiate translations and performs meticulous proofreading, editing, and post-editing to guarantee absolute accuracy, cultural consistency, and regulatory compliance. The portfolio of translated materials includes school-to-family communications, curriculum documents, and high-stakes Special Education documentation such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and progress reports. Additionally, during periods of lower translation volume, this individual provides critical live interpretation services across the district as deployed by the Manager of Interpreting and Translation Services. This commitment aligns with Framingham Public Schools’ high expectations for achievement, equal access to culturally responsive, quality instruction, academic proficiency for all students, and a sense of belonging for all subgroups within our schools.

Requirements

Native-level oral and written fluency in English and Portuguese (Brazilian) is required.
Demonstrated experience utilizing computer-assisted translation platforms, or AI-driven machine translation software is required.
High-level proofreading, editing, and machine-translation post-editing skills; exceptional grasp of grammar, syntax, and cultural nuances in English, and Portuguese.
Proficiency with district-approved AI translation engines, and standard productivity suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office) to process documentation efficiently.
Ability to understand, interpret, and accurately translate technical, educational, clinical, and legal language found within Special Education IEPs, progress reports, and district curricula.
Demonstrated capability to perform professional, accurate consecutive or simultaneous oral interpretation in school, administrative, or community settings.
Understanding of confidentiality protocols (FERPA/PPRA) and state/federal guidelines governing language access rights in public education, particularly regarding Special Education timelines.
Highly polished verbal and written communication style; ability to interface professionally and empathetically with diverse school staff, families, and community members.
Exceptional time-management skills to balance a steady intake of translation tasks while remaining flexible enough to deploy for live interpretation assignments across various district sites.
Demonstrated cultural proficiency and competence in fostering an equitable and inclusive district environment for all staff, students, and families.
Maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance; exhibit professionalism in responding to high-stakes or unpredictable classroom situations.
Must move about and traverse throughout the school building and grounds; requires the ability to navigate effectively throughout classrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds for supervision and instruction.
Must be able to engage in frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
Must navigate tight spaces between desks and move furniture to reorganize learning spaces.
Often remains in a stationary position for considerable periods of time for instructional delivery, administrative tasks, and meetings.
Must be able to see and hear continuously to ensure student safety, monitor classroom operations, and provide instruction in active school environments.
Continuous need for close and distance vision to monitor students, along with auditory acuity to hear in crowded environments.
Must communicate effectively and clearly with students, parents, and district personnel in person, via email, and on the telephone or video conference.
Must maintain strict confidentiality of student, family, employee, and district information.
Must protect confidential records and information accessed through the course of employment and share such information only with authorized individuals with a legitimate educational or business need to know.
Must follow all applicable laws, regulations, and district policies regarding privacy, confidentiality, records, and information security.
Must exercise discretion when communicating or handling confidential information in person, by telephone, email, electronically, or through district technology systems.
Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel.
Must be able to operate a computer, input data, and utilize instructional technology and office productivity machinery continuously throughout the day.
Ability to lift, move, and position classroom materials and equipment (up to 30 lbs) such as books, supplies, and bulk student devices.
Must be able to work effectively in a professional office environment with varying levels of activity and interaction.
Must interact routinely with diverse stakeholders, meet multiple high-level demands simultaneously, and maintain focus on student needs amid frequent interruptions.
Ability to navigate and function effectively within diverse school settings, including classrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds, which involve varying noise levels and high-activity environments.
Ability to sustain a very high level of social interaction.
Capacity to remain calm and professional when exposed to student behavioral challenges or high-stakes emotional situations; ability to model and apply de-escalation techniques as needed.
Likely to be placed in conflict situations where parents and students might become angry or unpleasant on a regular basis.

Nice To Haves

American Translators Association (ATA) certification or professional interpretation/translation certificate from an accredited institution is preferred.
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Linguistics, Translation, Portuguese, or a related field is preferred.
Experience reading and interpreting Special Education (IEP/540) documentation is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Submits all district-requested translation documents into the district-approved AI-powered translation software system.
Translates a high volume of materials including, but not limited to, school-to-family communications, district announcements, academic curricula, Special Education IEPs, and student progress reports.
Organizes, tracks, and manages the electronic intake and output log of all submitted documents to ensure quick turnarounds and meet strict compliance timelines.
Conducts rigorous quality control checks, comprehensive editing, and careful post-editing on all AI-generated translations to ensure human-level quality.
Verifies that all translated materials maintain absolute conceptual accuracy, stylistic consistency, proper terminology, and cultural relevance.
Ensures all finished materials strictly align with Framingham Public Schools' core communication standards, state education compliance, and federal language access rules.
Monitors operational translation volume and seamlessly transitions to live interpretation roles as requested by the Manager of Interpreting and Translation Services.
Travels across the district to provide on-site or virtual oral interpretation for parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, community forums, or administrative hearings.
Employs professional interpreting protocols to ensure accurate, neutral, and clear communication between FPS staff and non-English speaking families.
Collaborates with the Manager to update centralized translation resources, terminology databases, and district glossaries based on AI outputs and human corrections.
Serves as an operational resource for school staff regarding the status of document translation queues.
Other duties as assigned.