Catholic Social Services Volunteer Spanish Interpreter

Volunteer Spanish Interpreter

Part-time volunteer position located in the City of Wilkes-Barre, PA. The volunteer will provide Spanish interpretive services to the immigrant population of this region. The position requires the ability to interpret and translate oral and written communication accurately and professionally. The applicant must be 18 years of age and able to pass the background checks required by Catholic Social Services. This is a great opportunity to use your language skills to support the immigrant community and make a meaningful impact.

Volunteer Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide oral interpretation between Spanish-speaking clients and CSS staff during appointments and consultations.

• Translate written documents, correspondence, forms, and informational materials from English to Spanish and vice versa.

• Assist clients in understanding complex immigration processes, legal documents, and program procedures.

• Accompany clients to appointments and provide real-time interpretation as needed.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client communications and case information.

• Communicate in a clear, neutral, and culturally sensitive manner at all times.

• Support staff in identifying the language access needs of the clients served.

• Assist with the preparation of multilingual outreach and educational materials.

• Attend training sessions and orientation as required by program staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervising program staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Fluency in both English and Spanish (oral and written) is required.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in linguistics, social services, or a related field is preferred.

• Must be of good moral character, dependable, reliable, and culturally sensitive.

• Must consent to and pass a criminal background check as required by Catholic Social Services.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all client communications and information.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to interpret accurately and impartially without paraphrasing or editorializing.

• Experience working with immigrant or refugee populations is a plus.

• Must complete the VIRTUS training program as required by the Diocese of Scranton.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Use your bilingual skills to directly improve the lives of immigrants and families in your community.

• Gain valuable professional experience in interpretation, social services, and cross-cultural communication.

• Build your resume with meaningful, mission-driven volunteer work.

• Earn community service hours and a letter of recommendation upon satisfactory completion.

• Work alongside a dedicated, compassionate team of immigration professionals.

• Grow your understanding of immigration systems, policies, and the challenges facing immigrant communities.

Contact Information: To find out more or apply for one of these volunteer positions, please contact Fikile Ryder at (570) 455-1521 ext. 4304 or fryder@cssdioceseofscranton.org.

Pay: $1.00 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person