District Translator/Interpreter

Provides timely written translations for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) including policies, procedures, forms and information distributed on a city-wide basis to parents and citizens as needed by the Board of School Directors and the schools, departments and offices within MPS. Assists in the development, organization and maintenance of on-going communications for MPS families, students, staff and others. Provides oral and written translation and interpretation support for Milwaukee Public Schools and manages the translation and interpretations services of communication materials and other instructional and educational materials from English to a designated second language for the district.

• Translates publications, following established rules pertaining to factors such as word meanings, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and mechanics.
• Translates MPS school breakfast and lunch menus each month. Coordinates the provision of translated menus to the MPS web site and distributes the menus to all bi-lingual and ESL schools in the district.
• Translates news releases and other media outreach materials and marketing materials as assigned. 
• Clarifies content and terminology.
• Reviews and evaluates documents. 
• Edits work of other translators and responds to editing suggestions of other individuals.
• Assumes responsibility for quality of translation work submitted by reviewing, editing and revising own work and quality of interpretation by clarifying ideas and messages to assist with understanding.
• Maintains cultural sensitivity when relaying concepts and ideas between languages.
• Creates, composes and edits written materials as necessary.
• Assists in the distribution of publications to the intended clientele; parents, students, district staff, public libraries, independent Head Start programs, juvenile probation officers, shelters for the homeless and any other interested agencies and individuals.
• Serves as the district’s Spanish translator. Translations include: Assessment and Accountability’s Report to Parents and the Community, letters and other documents to parents from Assessment and Accountability, Divisions of Recreation’s Family Handbook and flyers or other print materials for the Recreation division, Board Governance’s School Board Overview brochure, Head Start forms and letters to parents, NSI brochures and flyers, CLC brochures and forms, Facilities and Maintenance’s letters to parents, School Nutrition Services’ letters and forms and a variety of other documents and letters for the district. 
• Provides translations for all Web applications and information to be placed on the MPS web site and portal. 
• Performs communications tasks, including writing and distribution of news releases and assisting in the set-up and execution of special events. 
• Participates in special events as requested by the district. 
• Collaborates with Communication & Marketing team on brainstorming creative strategies for weekly messaging and storytelling ideas. 
• Assists in the development and implementation of MPS overall internal and external communication strategy. 
• Participates in all-staff, team and other internal meetings as requested. 
• Attends District meeting to stay up-to-date on District policy and happenings. 
• Actively supports the MPS Strategic Plan. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in foreign language, communications, public relations, business administration or a related field. 
• A combination of education & experience may be considered. 
• Two to three years of experience with in written translation and editing in a similar environment; public sector experience would be helpful. 
• Certification or Registration in Translation Services preferred. 
• Individuals with language skills of Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Burmese, Arabic, and Rohingya are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Focused study and fluency is necessary.

Salary: $53,246 - 76,471 

As of November 1, 2021, all MPS employees are required to be fully vaccinated. The health and safety of our staff and students is our number one priority. That’s why all offers of employment are contingent on the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (currently one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine) to pass the pre-employment requirements. Individuals with medical issues or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine may request an accommodation from the vaccine requirement.