Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation Specialist at University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma

Job Description:

The Translation and Interpretation Specialist translates instructional, legal, and technical materials with accuracy and cultural relevance, ensuring consistency through quality checks. They provide real-time interpretation in meetings and events, facilitating clear communication between English and Spanish speakers while adapting to cultural contexts.

Essential Job Duties & Functions:

Translates Content: The Translation and Interpretation Specialist translates a variety of materials, including instructional content, legal documents, and technical manuals, to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance: 

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  Linguistic Accuracy: Ensures translations retain the original meaning, tone, and intent, while following grammar and syntax rules of both languages. Regular quality checks are performed to correct errors or inconsistencies, delivering a clear and precise final product. 


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  Cultural Adaptation: Tailors translations to the cultural context of the target audience by adjusting idioms and references while preserving the core message. Collaboration with experts ensures the content is culturally relevant and appropriate.


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  Quality Assurance and Consistency: Involves a thorough review process to maintain uniformity in language and style. A glossary or style guide is used for consistent terminology, while feedback is regularly incorporated for continuous improvement. 

Event English to Spanish Interpretation: The Translation and Interpretation Specialist provides verbal translation services in meetings, conferences, and one-on-one settings, ensuring clear and accurate communication between English and Spanish speakers: 

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  Real-Time Interpretation: Provide consecutive or simultaneous interpretation in a variety of settings, ensuring accuracy and maintaining the tone and intent of the original message.


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  Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptation: Adjust language usage to suit cultural contexts, ensuring that communication is respectful, appropriate, and comprehensible to all parties.


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  Interpersonal Communication: Facilitate smooth communication by interpreting both formal and informal exchanges. Maintain neutrality and professionalism while ensuring clarity in both languages. 

Communications: The Translation and Interpretation Specialist will ensure the messaging is accurate, clear, and fits within K20 branding guidelines. This will enable staff to facilitate effective communications within and outside the K20 Center by ensuring that information flows efficiently and accurately while fostering collaboration. Key responsibilities include:

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  Internal Communication: Establish internal communication strategies to stay informed about organizational updates, policies, and relevant news. The professional will actively use the organization’s various channels, such as email, Microsoft Teams, and team meetings, to keep staff informed. 


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  External Communication: Manage external communications, including interactions with students, families, educators, school leaders, and partners. Create and maintain a positive working relationship and ensure all external messages align with the organization's mission and values.


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  Content Creation: Develop and distribute content, including written materials, graphics, presentations, and multimedia, to convey key messages and information. Ensure content is clear, consistent, and engaging.


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  Stakeholder Engagement: Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including students, families, educators, school leaders, and partners. Keep them informed and engaged in the sponsored project's activities and initiatives.


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  Communication Strategy Development: Collaborate with the management team to develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that support the sponsored project's objectives and goals.

Project Management: The Translation and Interpretation Specialist will work with requesting parties to ensure an understanding of project needs, gather a sense of the target audience, and support the planning and implementation of the team's projects and initiatives. Key responsibilities include:

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  Task Execution: Engage in executing assigned project tasks, ensuring they are completed in accordance with the project plan and within the specified time.


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  Communication and Reporting: Engage in established communication channels to inform stakeholders about the progress of assigned tasks. Fully participate in regular updates, reports, and status meetings.


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  Stakeholder Engagement: Foster positive relationships with project stakeholders, including community members, partners, and team members. Address their needs and concerns while keeping them informed about project developments.

 As Needed: The incumbent will perform various additional duties as needed to successfully fulfill the position's function.

Required Attachments: 

• Resume


• Cover Letter


• Writing samples translated from English to Spanish 

Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Translation, Linguistics, relevant foreign language, or related field, AND:

• 24 months of experience in professional translation, writing, and interpreting.

Equivalency Substitution: Will accept 48 months of related experience in lieu of the Bachelor’s degree, for a total of 72 months related experience.

Skills:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.


• Ability to multitask effectively and manage competing deadlines.


• Experience working with diverse groups in planning development, and evaluation of projects.


• Attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and precision.


• Proficiency in adapting writing tone, style, and voice to different contexts and audiences.


• Excellent editing and proofreading skills.


• Strong real-time interpretation abilities.


• Exceptional writing skills for a variety of formats.


• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive).


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).


• Experience using Microsoft Teams.


• Familiarity with project management practices and methodologies.


• Effective public speaking skills.


• Strong scheduling and coordination abilities.


• Advanced cultural competence in the target language (Spanish).


• Fluent in both source (English) and target (Spanish) languages.


• Strong listening skills and memory retention for accurate interpretation.


• Ability to work well in teams and collaborate effectively.


• Proficient with Zoom for virtual meetings and remote collaboration.

Working Conditions:

•  Frequent exposure to pressure caused by deadlines and busy periods.


•  Frequent keyboarding.


•  Manual dexterity.


•  Must be able to communicate effectively and listen. 


•  Present in front of large groups of stakeholders.


•  Sit for prolonged periods.


•  Frequent travel required.


•  Communicate effectively and listen.


•  Manual dexterity.


•  Present in front of large groups of stakeholders.


•  Sit for prolonged periods.


•  Standard office environment.


•  Use of a computer.

Departmental Preferences: 

• 48 months as an English to Spanish translation writer.


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  36 months as a professional interpreter.


• 24 months as a professional interpreter at public school events.

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.

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