Guest Translators

  • Employees with translation and/or interpretation skills are invited to apply for the “Guest Translator” position on the Â鶹Íø Web site. They are offered training, evaluated and assigned a skill level to ensure that we are offering quality services to our parents and community.

    After they are hired as guest translators, they will be placed on the list of Approved Guest Translators and Interpreters. This must occur prior to performing translation services.

    Guest translators work with Translation Services during Parent/Teacher Conferences in order to fairly provide as many interpreters as possible to each school.

    As a result of the evaluation process, Spanish translators are placed on Level I or II. There is a monetary advantage for those who qualify for Level II, as well as additional responsibilities.

    • Level I translators can interpret at Parent/Teacher Conferences and may be asked to interpret short phone conversations. 
    • Level II translators can fulfill Level I responsibilities in addition to interpreting at IEP, TAP or Disciplinary meetings and qualify to do written translations (subject to proofreading by Translation Services). All of the above should fall within their comfort level.

    Guest Translator Expectations

    Accuracy
    If you do not recognize or understand a word or a phrase, ask for an explanation and then interpret the explanation - always keeping time and efficiency in mind.

    Completeness
    Interpret everything; Make it known when the speaker should pause in order to assure completeness.

    Confidentiality
    All District information, including information gathered in meetings is strictly confidential. When you leave the room, leave all information behind.

    Consistency
    Keep vocabulary, format and process consistent; do not change method or tempo midstream; know your participants’ comfort zone and yours.

    Neutrality
    Be an interpreter; do not allow your emotions to get in the way; do not judge; give equal representation to students, staff and parents.

    Professionalism
    The employee is expected to conduct himself or herself in a professional, mature manner at all times. Remember you are representing the Â鶹Íø!

    Dress Code
    Business Casual Attire is required as a Guest Translator. We ask that your dress and actions do not detract from the educational process. As a role model to students, we ask that you help us set an appropriate example.

    Sign In and Out
    Please sign in and out of the school office as you come and go from the school.

    Travel and Mileage
    There is no travel or mileage reimbursement for Guest Translators, however a Guest Translator will be paid a half hour of prep time for each assignment given with a maximum of one prep per day.

    Cancellations
    If you receive and accept an assignment and then upon arriving you are notified that the assignment has been cancelled, you will receive pay for the equivalent of one-half hour times your hourly rate.

    If you receive and accept an assignment, but you were notified that the job was cancelled or the District reasonably attempted to notify you of the cancellation before you reported to the job, you will not be compensated for your time.

    Please notify a school 24 hours in advance if you will not be able to attend the meeting you were assigned to, if at all possible.

    Resignation
    Please notify Translation Services if you wish to resign from your position as Guest Translator.

    A Guest Translator who has not worked for at least one day in a 12-month period will be inactivated from the Washington Elementary School District and Translation Services. The translator will then need to reapply if he or she wishes to start working for Â鶹Íø as a Guest Translator again.

    Training and Professional Development
    Translation Services offers a minimum of one training session per year. You will receive an invitation by e-mail and through Phonemaster, a recorded message telephone system. Please RSVP in a timely fashion.