Hawaiian 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 are certified as a Great Place to Work and 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

As a Hawaiian Telephone Interpreter, you will handle calls on demand, rendering the meaning of conversations between Hawaiian and English speakers. This role breaks communication barriers across industries such as healthcare, government, insurance, financial services, utilities, travel & hospitality, general business, law enforcement, court, and 911. You will process information quickly and concisely, recognizing sensitive cultural differences while maintaining professionalism and courtesy. Interpreting sessions may involve simple or complex, technical or non-technical subjects. This is a remote, independent contractor position requiring a quiet and secure home office 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 where speakers may be incoherent or upset, especially in emergency situations such as 911 calls.
• 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 including medical, insurance, finance, and law.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and commitment to working in a diverse environment.
• Handle highly emotional or stressful calls, remaining on calls for extended periods without breaks or managing high call volumes while maintaining company service standards.

Requirements

• Fluency in Hawaiian and English, including cultural dynamics and regional/accent differences.
• Excellent listening, retention, and note-taking skills to ensure accuracy during interpretation.
• Ability to concentrate, remain neutral, and detached from conversations, including sensitive subjects such as end-of-life discussions, pregnancy termination, vaccinations, and matters concerning sexual orientation or gender expression.
• Education or work experience in language-related fields (e.g., teaching, language assessment, translation, or interpretation) preferred.
• Ability to adapt to technology enhancements that 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 affiliated business may not be eligible.
• Ability to read and write in 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, such as a desktop/laptop (Windows, MacOS, or ChromeOS), tablet (iPadOS or Android), or smartphone (iOS or Android). Restricted brands: Kaspersky products and Huawei hardware.
• 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 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

$2.50 - $2.55 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.