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Government Translation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Translation Specialist (mandarin)

Alameda, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position : Translation Specialist Location: Santa Clara, CA Compensation: $80k- 100k Base ... leasing, and government approvals. * Maintain organized records of meeting notes, project ...

Translation Specialist (mandarin)

Sonoma, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position : Translation Specialist Location: Santa Clara, CA Compensation: $80k- 100k Base ... leasing, and government approvals. * Maintain organized records of meeting notes, project ...

Translation Specialist (mandarin)

Hayward, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position : Translation Specialist Location: Santa Clara, CA Compensation: $80k- 100k Base ... leasing, and government approvals. * Maintain organized records of meeting notes, project ...

Translation Specialist (mandarin)

Fremont, CA ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Position : Translation Specialist Location: Santa Clara, CA Compensation: $80k- 100k Base ... leasing, and government approvals. * Maintain organized records of meeting notes, project ...

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Government Translation information

What is a government translation?

A Government Translation job involves translating official documents, speeches, and communications between languages for government agencies. Translators in this role ensure accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and legal compliance in translated materials. They may work in areas such as foreign relations, immigration, law enforcement, or national security. Government translators often need security clearances and proficiency in specialized terminology. This role is crucial in facilitating communication between governments, agencies, and the public.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a government translation?

In a Government Translation role, your daily tasks may involve translating official documents, reports, legal texts, and correspondence between multiple languages while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy. You might also be asked to review and proofread translations from colleagues, participate in meetings or briefings to provide real-time interpretation, and ensure all materials comply with governmental standards and regulations. Collaboration with legal, policy, and administrative teams is common to clarify terminology and context. This role requires balancing urgent translation requests with longer-term projects, often in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in government translation, and why are they important?

To thrive in Government Translation, you need fluency in at least two languages, a solid grasp of linguistic nuances, and familiarity with government terminology, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Experience with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and knowledge of data privacy protocols are typically expected. Strong attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are valuable soft skills for this position. These competencies are crucial for ensuring precise, confidential, and contextually accurate translations in a high-stakes, regulated environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Government Translation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Government Translation jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Government Translation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Translation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Government Translation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Government Translation job openings:

Infographic showing various Government Translation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Translator - Pacific Island Languages

Prisma International, Inc.

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

$46K - $61K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Prisma International, Inc. - Prisma is a dynamic and growing language services provider committed to delivering exceptional translation solutions to clients worldwide. We pride ourselves on our dedication to linguistic excellence and client satisfaction.

TRANSLATOR - PACIFIC ISLAND LANGUAGES - Job Posting

We are expanding our independent contractor team and seeking experienced, professional Translators to provide vital recovery communications to individuals and communities impacted by disasters. We are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in this effort. In times of crisis, clear communication in one's native language isn't just a service-it's a lifeline. Translation projects for FEMA are urgent and require fast turnaround.

To be considered for hire, you must meet ALL minimum requirements listed below. Translation projects are assigned onย an as-needed basis according to need and your availability.

TARGET LANGUAGES:

CAROLINIAN, CHAMORRO (Saipan dialect), CHUUKESE, HAWAIIAN, ILOCANO, MARSHALLESE, PALAUAN, POHNPEIAN, SAMOAN and TONGAN.

If your language is not listed above, you are welcome to apply. However, you must meet ALL requirements to be considered.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • You must reside in the United States or a U.S. territory.
  • You must be 18+ years of age.
  • Have three (3) years of professional experience providing written translations to state and/or federal government agencies. Candidates who submit resumes without a three-year timeline of fed/state government agency experience will be disqualified.
  • Certified by a translation industry organization such as:ย American Translators Association (ATA), Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), etc. --OR-- a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in translation or other language-related discipline from an accredited college or university. If onboarded, you will be asked to submit proof of accreditation(s). Five+ years of professional translation services to state and/or federal government agencies may be accepted in lieu of the above.
  • Willingness to abide byย Prisma's Master Service Agreement (MSA) and related Addenda.
  • High proficiencyย in English and a fluent speaker of theย target language(s).
  • Reliable desktop PC or laptop with dedicated, secure, high-speed internet connection.
  • Experience using modernย CAT tools (e.g. XTM, Trados, etc.).
  • Adobe Acrobat on your deviceย and the ability to use Adobe's markup tools on a PDF file.

TASKS &ย RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide quick-turn written translations using a Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tool. We provide XTM access to you.
  • Adhere to all project work instructions, glossaries andย reference materials provided to you.
  • Ensure the source content'sย concept, style and register are culturally and linguisticallyย appropriate for the target language.
  • Perform languageย quality check steps (before delivery)ย to ensure the target translation is error-free andย true to the meaning of the source document.
  • Deliver completedย translation jobs by the given deadlinesย andย project budgets. FEMA projects require accelerated delivery. Due dates are driven by word count.
  • Review formattedย target language PDF files for accuracy; mark any corrections needed. Using Adobe mark-up tools is required.
  • Communicate in a timely and professionalย manner with Prisma team members.
  • Willfully participate in quality management processes, e.g.ย Corrective Action Reports (CARs),ย Root Cause Analyses (RCAs), solution implementation.
  • Take all measures necessary to protect andย keep private sensitive information shared with you to carry out translation projectsย (e.g.ย PHI, PII, SBU).
  • Adhere toย policies and processes defined in Prisma's Master Service Agreement (MSA) and the Prisma Vendor Guide.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

  • Excellent communication skills and quick responses to Prisma project team requests.
  • Ability to accommodate fast turnarounds for small word count projects.
  • After hours andย weekend ability is a plus (at your discretion).

IMPORTANT APPLICANT SECURITY NOTICE:

Prisma will never ask for payment information or fee transfers during recruitment or employment preparation. Legitimate outreach for information will only originate from official @prisma.com email addresses.

Requirements

See full list of minimum requirements above.