Refugee Translator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview

East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is a non-profit legal services organization, the community-based clinical program for U.C. Berkeley Law School, and one of the Bay Area’s largest and most effective systems disrupters. With a dual service and teaching mission, EBCLC is a racial justice organization committed to building a culturally diverse workplace, centered on equity. With about 50 staff, 100 law students a year, and a $7 million annual budget, EBCLC is the largest provider of free legal services in Alameda County, providing multimodal, collaborative, and holistic legal services to over 4,000 clients annually and engaging in legislative and policy advocacy at the state and local level. 

Position Overview  

EBCLC’s Immigration Unit is seeking bilingual Berkeley Law students to serve as pro bono translators and interpreters in support of client representation. Students in this role are eligible to receive Berkeley Law Pro Bono hours for interpretation and translation performed in legal settings under supervision. 

Students in this role will provide interpretation and translation in legal settings under the supervision of EBCLC staff attorneys and accredited representatives. 

Responsibilities  

Students may assist with: 

• Interpretation during client legal meetings, legal consultations, and declaration preparation for cases (e.g., asylum) 
• Translation of legal and civil documents, including client declarations and supporting materials for cases 

Languages Especially Needed 

Spanish, Vietnamese, Dari, Mam, Pashto, Portuguese, Ukrainian and other Indigenous or underrepresented languages. All languages are welcome. 

Time Commitment 

No minimum. Duration of commitment will depend on client need. For example, client interviews may take 3 hours. 

Who you are:

• Current UC Berkeley Law student 
• Fluency in English and at least one additional language 
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail 

Screening:

As part of the application process, applicants will be require to upload with their resume I-589 and/ questions translated. This brief exercise allows the Immigration Unit to assess translation clarity and familiarity with legal terminology. Please use the template below. 

Form I-589: "Have you or your family members ever belonged to or been associated with any organizations or groups in your home country, such as, but not limited to, a political party, student group, labor union, religious organization, military or paramilitary group, civil patrol, guerrilla organization, ethnic group, human rights group, or the press or media?

Have you, your spouse, your child(ren), your parents or your siblings ever applied to the U.S. Government for refugee status, asylum, or withholding of removal? If "Yes," explain the decision and what happened to any status you, your spouse, your child(ren), your parents, or your siblings received as a result of that decision. Indicate whether or not you were included in a parent or spouse's application. If so, include your parent or spouse's A-number in your response. If you have been denied asylum by an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals, describe any change(s) in conditions in your country or your own personal circumstances since the date of the denial that may affect your eligibility for asylum."