Garifuna 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. LanguageLine has been certified as a Great Place to Work and is 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 all walks of business. As an interpreter, you will receive industry-leading training and opportunities for advancement in a certified ASTM and ISO environment, supported by a Senior Language Specialist and our Interpreter and Technology Help Desks.

About the Role

The Garifuna Telephone Interpreter is responsible for handling calls on demand, rendering the meaning of conversations between Garifuna and English speakers. The interpreter breaks the communication barrier in a wide range of industries, including Healthcare, Government, Insurance, Financial, Utilities, Travel & Hospitality, General Business, Law Enforcement, Court, and 911. This role involves verbal interpretation only—no 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 sessions, especially in emergencies (e.g., 911 calls) where a speaker may be incoherent or upset.
• Maintain punctuality and availability during work hours.
• Follow client instructions and protocol to meet expectations of Limited English-speaking Persons (LEP), avoiding interaction without client permission.
• Understand protocol and terminology for industries such as Medical, Insurance, Finance, and Law.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and work effectively in a diverse environment.
• Handle highly emotional or stressful calls, remain on calls for extended periods without breaks, and manage high call volumes while maintaining company service standards.

Requirements

• Fluency in Garifuna and English, with an understanding of associated cultural dynamics.
• Ability to provide cultural competency and assess regional/accent differences to communicate effectively with LEPs.
• Excellent listening, retention, and note-taking skills to ensure accuracy during interpretation.
• Ability to concentrate, remain neutral and objective, and handle sensitive subjects (e.g., end-of-life conversations, pregnancy termination, sexual orientation, or gender expression).
• Education or work experience in language-related fields (e.g., teaching, language assessment, translation, or interpretation) preferred.
• Must adapt to LanguageLine Solutions’ technology enhancements to improve service delivery.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Candidates currently employed by a LanguageLine Solutions client or affiliate may not be eligible.
• Ability to read and write the requested languages is highly preferred.
• A post-offer, pre-employment background check and/or drug screen may be required based on location.

Technical Requirements

• Dedicated personal device for business purposes (desktop/laptop with Windows, MacOS, or ChromeOS; tablets or smartphones are acceptable).
• Restricted brands: Kaspersky products and Huawei hardware are not permitted.
• High-speed internet connection with minimum download speeds of 5 Mbps, upload speeds of 3 Mbps, ping value ≤ 300 ms, and jitter value ≤ 30 ms.
• Access to a quiet, distraction-free workspace.

Physical Requirements

• Able to operate a keyboard and mouse and remain stationary 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 is not eligible for employee benefits.