What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foreign Language Translator - Spanish position at Valiant Integrated Services?
Valiant is looking for Lead Spanish Foreign Language Translators to join our team! In this role, the Spanish Foreign Language Translater will support U.S. instructors delivering F-16 training to Argentine military personnel at Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, or Río Cuarto, Córdoba Province, Argentina. Assignment location is determined by program requirements. The translator will translate and interpret technical and non-technical courseware between English and Spanish and facilitate accurate communication between U.S. instructors and Argentine military students.
The translator must be able to accurately communicate technical concepts, aviation and military terminology, abbreviations, jargon, slang, and colloquial expressions while preserving the meaning and intent of the original material. Fluency in Rioplatense Spanish as commonly spoken in Argentina is essential to this role.
This assignment requires the employee to live and work in Argentina for up to six months. The training schedule will follow Argentine holidays and operational requirements. Employees may therefore be required to work on U.S. federal holidays that are normal working days in Argentina.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Translate F-16 courseware, technical publications, presentations, lesson plans, training aids, reports, and correspondence between English and Spanish, in full or summary form as directed.
- Provide interpretation during classroom instruction, technical discussions, practical training activities, and meetings between U.S. instructors and Argentine military personnel.
- Assist U.S. instructors in conveying technical course content, and assist in understanding questions, comments, and requests for clarification from Argentine military students.
- Ensure translations accurately convey the meaning and intent of source material, preserve source organization and format as closely as practical, maintain consistent terminology, and meet accepted grammar and professional translation standards.
- Review completed translations for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and consistency; make independent determinations concerning translation accuracy and thoroughness.
- Identify unclear, inconsistent, or potentially inaccurate source material and coordinate with instructors or program leadership for clarification.
- Conduct supplemental terminology and subject-matter research as necessary to ensure translation accuracy.
- Protect sensitive, proprietary, export-controlled, and program-related information in accordance with company and government requirements.
- Perform duties independently while following established translation practices, program procedures, and quality standards.
- Perform other translation, interpretation, and training-support duties as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level clearance.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proficiency in Spanish and English speaking, writing, reading, and listening, Native proficiency preferred
- Experience interpreting and translating Spanish into English.
- 2 years of experience managing a team.
- Ability to understand the essentials of all speech in standard dialect and vocabulary, rarely requiring the need for paraphrasing or explanation.
- Must qualify as a U.S. Person as defined under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR, 22 CFR 120.62) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position involves access to export-controlled technical data.
- Must possess a valid U.S. passport with at least two blank visa pages and validity extending no less than six months beyond the projected assignment end date.
- Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license and obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) prior to travel. Both documents must be carried together while driving in Argentina; the IDP is not valid on its own.
- Must be able to meet Argentine rental car company requirements, including minimum driver age (typically 25) and possession of a major credit card in the employee’s own name for the security hold.
- Must be able and willing to live and work in Argentina for up to six months, and to drive to Buenos Aires for periodic visa reset travel.
- Must achieve a minimum ILR Level 3 (General Professional Proficiency) or higher in English and Spanish across all four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Testing will include comprehension of the vocabulary, pronunciation, expressions, slang, and colloquial usage associated with Rioplatense Spanish.
- Must be able to understand and communicate aviation and military terminology, regional language differences, slang, jargon, and colloquial expressions.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive program information.
- Must be able to work a schedule based on Argentine holidays, training requirements, and operational needs, including working certain U.S. federal holidays.
- Must meet all medical and immunization requirements for travel to and residence in Argentina, including any customer- or country-directed vaccinations.
- Must have a U.S. Passport valid for 6 months at time of deployment.
- Ability to travel OCONUS as required.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience translating or interpreting aviation, military, defense, maintenance, logistics, or technical training materials.
- Familiarity with military aviation terminology.
- Familiarity with F-16 systems, maintenance, operations, logistics, or training courseware.
- Experience supporting classroom instruction or instructor-led technical training.
- Experience supporting military students or foreign military personnel.
- Experience translating technical publications, presentations, lesson plans, training aids, and instructional materials.
- Relevant education, certification, or professional experience in translation, interpretation, languages, aviation, military operations, or technical training.
ADDITIONAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
- The position requires temporary residence and work in Tandil or Río Cuarto, Argentina, for up to six months. Assignment site is determined by program requirements.
- Work will primarily be performed in classroom and training environments.
- The work schedule will be based on Argentine holidays, training schedules, and operational requirements.
- Employees may be required to work on U.S. federal holidays when those days are normal working days in Argentina.
- The employee must be able to work effectively with U.S. instructors, program personnel, and Argentine military personnel.
- The position requires periodic overnight travel to Buenos Aires by rental vehicle for visa reset purposes.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Physical requirements may include, but are not limited to, lifting, ascending, and descending stairs, climbing, extended sitting or standing, to various degrees.
- Ability to remain seated for extended periods while performing linguistic analysis, transcription, or translation tasks.
- Ability to use a computer, headset, and standard office equipment for prolonged periods.
- Clear verbal communication and active listening skills to participate in meetings and conduct language assessments.
- Ability to read, review, and analyze written materials for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and carry up to approximately 10–15 pounds (such as laptops, documents, or small equipment), if applicable.
Valiant Integrated Services is an employer who hires in accordance with applicable state and federal law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in compliance with those laws.