Lead Linguist

Location: Tucson, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Chicago, IL; Rancho Cordova, CA; San Diego, CA; El Paso, TX; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Boston, MA; McAllen, TX. Security Clearance: Public Trust (or ability to obtain). Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hrs/week. Classification: Non‑exempt (eligible for overtime). Hourly: $31.73. Travel: Travel to client sites is required.

About KACE

KACE delivers technology‑enabled mission services that advance public health, public safety and national security, combining large‑scale operational capabilities with advanced technologies and data insights to meet the government’s most complex challenges. Purpose and service are at the heart of everything we do, and every role plays a part in the mission. Our employees bring a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives to the critical government operations we support, making a measurable impact every day. KACE is certified as a Great Place to Work, reflecting a commitment to an inclusive, supportive, and engaging workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered. The KACE Way is our commitment to our employees, our customers, and our communities.

Job Summary

The HSTF Team Lead manages the daily operations of a team of linguists assigned to company language contracts. This position has overall responsibility for providing technical supervision for a group of Linguists and serves as the primary point of contact for technical issues or concerns at the client assigned offices. In addition to acting as the primary client technical POC, the HSTF Team Lead will also act as a linguist at the assigned offices when necessary. The HSTF Team Lead has experience in all aspects of summaries, transcription, translation, and quality control as they relate to HSTF operations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Provides oversight and execution of daily operations to ensure work is completed on schedule, within budget and to specified quality standards.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for Linguists in reference to operational inquiries; escalates all other concerns to the Associate Program Manager, Field Supervisor and Operations Supervisor.
• Implements the company’s and client’s policies and procedures and ensures that changes in these policies are communicated to the team.
• Conducts new hire orientation for new employees.
• Coordinates with the Associate Program Manager, Field Supervisor and Operations Supervisor to ensure appropriate technical training of new and existing employees.
• Coordinates with the Associate Program Manager, Field Supervisor and Operations Supervisor to ensure completion of required training via KACE’s learning management system.
• Implements the company’s quality control and standard operating procedures, including monitoring work output of summaries, transcriptions and translations produced by each linguist; producing weekly reports; and maintaining records of work productivity.
• Based on Level 2 and 3 inspections, provides feedback to linguists and conducts refresher training for employees not meeting company standards.
• Distributes schedule and escalates any scheduling request changes to Associate Program Manager, Field Supervisor and Operations Supervisor.
• Collaborates and coordinates debriefing meetings for employees with the client.
• Identifies performance/behavioral issues and/or violations of company’s and client’s policies; ensures small corrections are made and more complex issues are raised to the Operations Supervisor.
• Verifies time, attendance, and time records for final approval by the Associate Program Manager.
• Verifies expense reports, if any, for final approval by the Operations Supervisor.
• Ensures employees enter the appropriate project code in the company’s system.
• Has overall responsibility for delivering projects accurately and timely per customer requirements.
• Collects and delivers Slang dictionary updates to Associate Program Manager, Field Supervisor and Operations Supervisor for updates in Master Slang Dictionary.
• Identifies work surges and coordinates with the Associate Program Manager and Operations Supervisor in the event overtime or additional personnel is needed.
• Supports transcription projects during downtime.
• When not assigned as HSTF Team Lead, employee will be assigned to a project in a T&T Team Lead OR Linguist capacity.
• Performs related duties as assigned, within scope of practice.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or active progress toward a bachelor’s degree AND three (3) years’ experience in a professional setting; OR Associates degree AND five (5) years’ experience in a professional setting; OR High School diploma AND seven (7) years’ experience in a professional setting.
• One‑year experience in a management role in a related industry OR one‑year experience supporting Title III projects preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Must score 90% or higher on all APOLLO assessments.
• English and Spanish proficiency at or above Level 3 in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
• Experience working with a remote Manager.
• Knowledge in tracking and managing quality control compliance.
• Ability to obtain a law enforcement sensitive clearance.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with different departments, employees and clients.
• Ability to teach technical procedures to a team of Linguists.
• Ability to identify and escalate issues to Site Supervisor in a timely and effective manner.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service.
• Ability to prioritize, effective time management skills, meet stringent deadlines, balance multiple tasks and work in a team environment.
• Ability to translate/transcribe 18–22 minutes of recorded conversation in an 8‑hour day when performing Linguist duties.
• Must type 55 WPM.
• Ability to travel to various remote offices.

Security Requirements & Background Investigation Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain Public Trust eligibility.
• Favorable credit check as applicable.
• Successful completion of a background investigation and drug screening.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Must have lived in the U.S. for three (3) of the past five (5) years.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must have mobility to attend meetings with other managers and employees.
• Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: 10% of the time.
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: 10% of the time.
• Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use a telephone system 100% of the time.
• Sitting: Sitting for prolonged and extended periods of time.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may revise duties as necessary without updating this job description.