Employees with translation and/or interpretation skills are invited to apply for the “Guest Translator” position on the WESD Web site. They are offered training, evaluated and assigned a skill level to ensure that we are offering quality services to our parents and community.

After they are hired as guest translators, they will be placed on the list of Approved Guest Translators and Interpreters. This must occur prior to performing translation services.

Guest translators work with Translation Services during Parent/Teacher Conferences in order to fairly provide as many interpreters as possible to each school.

As a result of the evaluation process, Spanish translators are placed on Level I or II. There is a monetary advantage for those who qualify for Level II, as well as additional responsibilities.

• Level I translators can interpret at Parent/Teacher Conferences and may be asked to interpret short phone conversations. 
• Level II translators can fulfill Level I responsibilities in addition to interpreting at IEP, TAP or Disciplinary meetings and qualify to do written translations (subject to proofreading by Translation Services). All of the above should fall within their comfort level.

Protocols to Follow

After Evaluation, explain levels (LEVEL I - $22 & LEVEL II - $25 per hour, plus .5 assigned per day worked).

• Translators are always welcome to retest after taking some time to study.
• Minimum of error margin required to qualify.

After application is processed, an invitation is set to:

• Sign handbook
• Set up an email
• Receive conference procedures explanation

Conference Procedure:

• Check district email. (sample: First name.last name@wesdschools.org)
• Availability for Conferences: Read instructions, choose your school first (if applied), by choosing more schools there will be a better possibility for more hours, carefully take into account your availability, fill out your availability in the App, communicate changes ASAP.
• Even if you are not going to participate, it is required to select that option.
• Availability does not guarantee number of hours. These are the hours that you are available to support the schools. The conference app does the selecting – using greater availability given.
• Please refer to your district email to confirm your P/T Conference schedule. After reviewing your schedule, any changes or mistakes must be communicated ASAP.
• Follow directions. Confirmation required.
• There might be changes made. Return any Translations phone calls ASAP.
• Every change on the schedule needs an email confirmation.
• If there is a schedule change of more than 40 minutes, the school you are assigned to should contact you at least the day before conferences.
• During Conferences, you are responsible for knowing the school & start time (map on the back of handbook).
• Each conference lasts 20 minutes. Keep in mind that delays affect other family conferences.
• Be at the school at least 15 minutes in advance to be able to park, clock in, locate the Conference person to provide you the schedule.
• Translators must work at least once every six months in order to stay active. Or they will be removed from the job.
• The choices to receive payment are either by direct deposit or a bank card.

Other languages: Translators can go to up to three schools in one day. Only one Prep-time is paid per day. Preparation time is included in payment at department discretion.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Only an approved/trained/tested high-Level II translator can translate for Special Education meetings.
• All scheduling of conferences, and Special Education meetings are done via the Translations Services office.
• When covering Special Education meetings, translators are expected and required to stay for the whole scheduled time of the meeting.
• If parents do not show up, then wait for only 15 minutes and leave.
• If during a meeting some additional time is requested – please stay a maximum of additional 15 minutes (after the scheduled time).

Guest Translator Expectations

Accuracy
If you do not recognize or understand a word or a phrase, ask for an explanation and then interpret the explanation - always keeping time and efficiency in mind.

Completeness
Interpret everything; Make it known when the speaker should pause in order to assure completeness.

Confidentiality
All District information, including information gathered in meetings is strictly confidential. When you leave the room, leave all information behind.

Consistency
Keep vocabulary, format and process consistent; do not change method or tempo midstream; know your participants’ comfort zone and yours.

Neutrality
Be an interpreter; do not allow your emotions to get in the way; do not judge; give equal representation to students, staff and parents.

Professionalism
The employee is expected to conduct himself or herself in a professional, mature manner at all times. Remember you are representing the WESD!

Dress Code
Business Casual Attire is required as a Guest Translator. We ask that your dress and actions do not detract from the educational process. As a role model to students, we ask that you help us set an appropriate example.

Sign In and Out
Please sign in and out of the school office as you come and go from the school.

Travel and Mileage
There is no travel or mileage reimbursement for Guest Translators, however a Guest Translator will be paid a half hour of prep time for each assignment given with a maximum of one prep per day.

Cancellations
If you receive and accept an assignment and then upon arriving you are notified that the assignment has been cancelled, you will receive pay for the equivalent of one-half hour times your hourly rate.

If you receive and accept an assignment, but you were notified that the job was cancelled or the District reasonably attempted to notify you of the cancellation before you reported to the job, you will not be compensated for your time.

Please notify a school 24 hours in advance if you will not be able to attend the meeting you were assigned to, if at all possible.

Resignation
Please notify Translation Services if you wish to resign from your position as Guest Translator.

A Guest Translator who has not worked for at least one day in a 12-month period will be inactivated from the Washington Elementary School District and Translation Services. The translator will then need to reapply if he or she wishes to start working for WESD as a Guest Translator again.

Training and Professional Development
Translation Services offers a minimum of one training session per year. You will receive an invitation by e-mail and through Phonemaster, a recorded message telephone system. Please RSVP in a timely fashion.