Basque Interpreter

At LanguageLine, we strive for a world in which language and cultural barriers no longer exist. Use your language skills to dramatically improve the lives of limited-English speakers, as well as the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, while working from your own home. We have been certified as a Great Place to Work and are regularly listed as one of America's top work-from-home employers. Our interpreters serve clients across numerous industries, including healthcare, 911, first responders, education, government agencies, and business sectors.

About the Role

The Basque Telephone Interpreter is responsible for handling calls on demand, rendering the meaning of conversations between Basque and English speakers. The interpreter breaks the communication barrier in industries such as healthcare, government, insurance, financial, utilities, travel & hospitality, general business, law enforcement, court, and 911. This role requires quick and concise processing of information, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism. The position does not involve written translation, though translators and other skilled linguists are encouraged to apply.

This is a remote, independent contractor position. The interpreter works from a home office and must ensure a quiet and secure environment.

Responsibilities

• Respond to interpreting sessions promptly and conduct interpretation in a friendly and professional manner.
• Render correct concepts and meanings according to established interpretation protocol, avoiding omissions or additions.
• Speak clearly in both languages using proper pronunciation, enunciation, and polite expressions.
• Maintain a professional demeanor throughout interpreting sessions at all times.
• Remain calm during interpreting sessions, especially in emergency situations such as 911 calls when a primary speaker may be incoherent or upset.
• Maintain punctuality and availability during work hours.
• Follow client instructions and comply with protocol to meet client expectations, avoiding interaction with the Limited English-speaking Person (LEP) without client permission.
• Understand protocol and terminology for various industries, including medical, insurance, finance, and law.
• Demonstrate commitment to cultural sensitivity and working in a diverse environment.
• Handle highly emotional and/or stressful calls, remaining on calls for extended periods without breaks or managing high call volumes while maintaining company service standards.

Requirements

• Fluency in Basque and English, including cultural dynamics.
• Ability to provide cultural competency and assess regional and accent differences.
• Excellent listening, retention, and note-taking skills to maintain accuracy during interpretation.
• Ability to concentrate, stay detached, remain neutral and objective, especially during sensitive subjects such as end-of-life conversations, pregnancy termination, vaccinations, and matters concerning sexual orientation and/or gender expression.
• Education or work experience in language-related fields such as teaching, language assessment, translation, or interpretation preferred.
• Ability to adapt to technology enhancements that improve service delivery and meet client demands.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Candidates currently employed by a client of LanguageLine Solutions or an affiliated business may not be eligible.
• Ability to read and write the requested languages is highly preferred.
• Based on location, a post-offer, pre-employment background check and/or drug screen may be required.

Technical Requirements

• Dedicated personal device for business purposes, such as a desktop/laptop computer with Windows, MacOS, or ChromeOS. Tablets (iPadOS or Android) and smartphones (iOS or Android) are also acceptable.
• Restricted brands: Kaspersky products and Huawei hardware are not permitted.
• High-speed internet connection with download speeds of at least 5 Mbps, upload speeds of 3 Mbps, ping value of no more than 300 ms, and jitter value of no more than 30 ms.
• Access to a quiet space free from background noise or distraction.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate a keyboard and mouse and remain in a stationary position in front of a computer for the majority of the workday.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to type or write.
• Able to lift up to 26 lbs.
• May be exposed to moderate noise levels (e.g., computer, audio, telephone).

Pay

$0.75 - $0.90 per minute.

Benefits

• Employee Referral Program.
• Advancement opportunities within the organization.
• Interpreter support.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment.

Note: This is an independent contractor position and therefore not eligible for employee benefits.