Bilingual Translator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing approximately 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success. OSD supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Translation Manager, the Citywide Bilingual Translator will provide written translations of district-wide documents directed to parents of students with disabilities and local communities. This role will provide oral interpretations from English to Spanish and vice versa. This role will also edit internal translation documents and those by outside contractors.

The Citywide Bilingual Translator will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Participate and support professional development for bilingual special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers
• Perform ongoing written translations of district-wide documents prepared for parents of students with disabilities and CPS communities
• Review and update translations recurring annually
• Maintain multiple language vocabulary directory for CPS commonly used terms
• Provide up-to-date data on translations that are completed
• Edit and proofread translations
• Serve as an interpreter for parents during CPS IEP meetings, legal proceedings, and other special education-related meetings
• Translate all departmental documents in English and other languages
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Citywide Bilingual Translator must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working in translation and editing
• Two (2) years of experience in an educational setting preferred
• Certification or registration in Translation Services (e.g. Illinois Court Interpreter Registry) preferred 

Other Requirements: 

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Documents, and Slides
• Ability to work in a team and independently 
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage high volumes of work
• Demonstrated project and time management skills in a deadline-driven environment
• Knowledge of computer-assisted translation tools, preferred
• Ability to fluently read, write, and speak in English and Spanish 
• Ability to translate written communication from English to Spanish and Spanish to English

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.