Position Summary

The English–Spanish Senior Translator is responsible for producing high-quality, culturally appropriate written translations that facilitate equitable communication between the school district and multilingual families. This position requires advanced expertise in translation, editing, linguistic quality assurance, project management, terminology management, and computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools. The translator manages multiple translation projects simultaneously, ensures compliance with federal and state language access requirements, and collaborates with district staff to produce accurate, accessible, and professionally formatted multilingual materials. In addition to written translation responsibilities, the position serves as a linguistic and cultural consultant to district departments. This position is fully remote and is performed from a home-based office, providing the opportunity to support districtwide translation and language access services through virtual collaboration, regular virtual meetings, and technology while meeting the operational needs of Holyoke Public Schools.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Translation and Localization

• Translate a broad range of written materials from English into Spanish while preserving the meaning, intent, tone, style, register, and cultural context of the original text.
• Produce translations that read naturally for Spanish-speaking audiences rather than relying on literal, word-for-word translation.
• Translate highly sensitive and specialized documents, including:
• • Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
  • Evaluation reports
  • Psychological reports
  • Legal notices
  • Parent handbooks
  • Student discipline documents
  • School policies
  • Consent forms
  • Administrative communications
  • District marketing materials
  • Website content
  • Family engagement materials
  • Human Resources documents
  • Public communications and presentations
• Adapt content for various Spanish-speaking audiences while considering regional linguistic differences and cultural appropriateness.
• Conduct terminology research to accurately translate educational, legal, medical, and administrative concepts.
• Ensure translations comply with district terminology standards and plain language principles.

Editing, Proofreading, and Linguistic Quality Assurance

• Perform comprehensive bilingual editing and proofreading of translated documents to ensure linguistic accuracy and consistency.
• Review translations for:
• • Grammar
  • Syntax
  • Semantics
  • Spelling
  • Punctuation
  • Register
  • Style
  • Readability
  • Cultural appropriateness
• Conduct linguistic quality assurance (LQA) reviews using established quality standards.
• Review translations completed by external vendors, freelance translators and internal staff to ensure district quality standards are met.
• Provide constructive linguistic feedback and recommendations to improve translation quality across the department.
• Ensure all translated documents are publication-ready before distribution.

Translation Technology and CAT Tools

• Utilize Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) software to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality.
• Apply translation memories effectively while exercising professional judgment to ensure contextual accuracy.
• Maintain consistency through the use of terminology databases, glossaries, and translation memories.
• Troubleshoot formatting issues that occur during CAT tool processing.
• Prepare files for translation by converting, cleaning, and organizing documents in various electronic formats.

Project Management

• Coordinate multiple translation projects simultaneously while managing competing priorities and strict deadlines.
• Evaluate incoming requests and determine project scope, complexity, turnaround time, and resource allocation.
• Develop project schedules and communicate timelines with district staff.
• Assign translation, editing, proofreading, desktop publishing, and quality review tasks to qualified internal or external language professionals.
• Monitor project progress to ensure timely completion and adherence to quality standards.
• Maintain project documentation and workflow records using electronic project management systems.
• Communicate proactively with requestors regarding project status, revisions, and completion dates.
• Identify potential project risks and implement solutions to avoid delays.

Desktop Publishing and Document Formatting

• Prepare publication-ready multilingual documents while preserving the original design and formatting.
• Review and edit:
• • Graphics
  • Charts
  • Tables
  • Images
  • Forms
  • Headers and footers
  • Pagination
  • Hyperlinks
  • Accessibility features
• Ensure translated documents maintain proper formatting across Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, and other electronic publishing platforms.
• Verify that multilingual documents meet accessibility and readability standards for public distribution.

Terminology Management

• Develop, maintain, and expand district-approved bilingual glossaries.
• Research educational, legal, instructional, and technical terminology to promote consistency across district communications.
• Update translation memories with approved translations and validated terminology.
• Contribute to department style guides and linguistic standards.
• Recommend standardized translations for recurring district terminology.

Compliance and Professional Standards

• Ensure all language services comply with applicable federal and state laws, including language access requirements for multilingual learners and their families.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with district policies and applicable student privacy laws.
• Adhere to professional standards of ethics for translators and interpreters.
• Participate in professional development to remain current on translation technology, educational terminology, language access regulations, and industry best practices.

Collaboration and Customer Service

• Serve as a linguistic and cultural resource for district departments.
• Consult with subject matter experts to resolve terminology and translation challenges.
• Build collaborative relationships with administrators, educators, specialists, and community partners.
• Provide guidance regarding translation requests, timelines, language access procedures, and multilingual communication best practices.
• Support department initiatives that improve equitable access to information for multilingual families.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with continuous improvement of departmental workflows and translation processes.
• Recommend technology and workflow enhancements to improve efficiency and quality.
• Maintain accurate translation records and project documentation.
• Perform other duties related to language access and multilingual communications as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Translation, Linguistics, Spanish, Modern Languages, Communications, Education, or a closely related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of three to five years of professional English-to-Spanish translation experience.
• Demonstrated experience translating educational, legal, public sector, marketing, or governmental documents.
• Experience managing multiple translation projects and deadlines.
• Experience editing and conducting linguistic quality assurance reviews.
• Experience working with Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and translation memory systems.
• Experience with desktop publishing and multilingual document formatting preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Native or near-native proficiency in written Spanish.
• Advanced English language proficiency.
• Expert knowledge of grammar, syntax, semantics, orthography, and stylistic conventions in both languages.
• Strong understanding of localization principles and cross-cultural communication.
• Advanced editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong research and analytical abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and CAT tools such as SDL Trados Studio, memoQ, Wordfast, Smartcat, or similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional translation certification or credential (e.g., American Translators Association (ATA) Certification or equivalent).
• Interpreter training certificate or professional interpreter credential.
• Experience in K–12 education, higher education, government, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience developing terminology databases/glossaries, style guides, and translation memories.

Core Competencies

• Commitment to equitable language access for multilingual students and families.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Professional integrity and confidentiality.
• Initiative, accountability, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to high-quality language services.