Samoan 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 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
As a Samoan Telephone Interpreter, you will handle calls on demand, rendering the meaning of conversations between Samoan and English speakers. This role breaks communication barriers in 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.
This is a remote, independent contractor position. You will work from your home office in a quiet and secure environment. Some calls may be highly emotional or stressful, requiring the ability to remain on calls for extended periods without breaks or manage high call volumes while maintaining company service standards.
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.
- Remain calm during sessions, especially in emergencies (e.g., 911 calls) where speakers 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 commitment to working in a diverse environment.
Requirements
- Fluency in Samoan 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 remain neutral, objective, and detached during sensitive conversations (e.g., end-of-life discussions, pregnancy termination, sexual orientation, or gender expression matters).
- Education or work experience in language-related fields (e.g., teaching, language assessment, translation, or interpretation) preferred.
- Must adapt to LanguageLine Solutions’ technology enhancements for service delivery and client demands.
- Must be at least 18 years of age and legally authorized to work in the United States (no visa sponsorship provided).
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to read and write in the requested languages (highly preferred).
- Post-offer, pre-employment background check and/or drug screen may be required based on location.
- Candidates currently employed by a LanguageLine Solutions client or affiliate may not be eligible.
Technical Requirements
- Dedicated personal device for business purposes (desktop/laptop with Windows, MacOS, or ChromeOS; tablets or smartphones 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
- Ability to operate a keyboard and mouse while remaining stationary 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.
- Inclusive and diverse work environment.
Note: This is an independent contractor position and is not eligible for employee benefits.