Join Our Team

Department: Compass Interpreters

Job Summary: Provides professional interpretation services for community service providers, limited English proficient individuals, and The Center staff from the source language to the target language as requested.

Accountabilities: All interpreters report to the Manager of Compass Interpreters. Compass Interpreters, a division of The Center, is a multilingual interpretation, translation and cultural outreach organization. The department provides educational and professional services to foster cultural understanding and appreciation, promote multicultural diversity, and empower communities to embrace new populations. Compass Interpreters provides professional linguistic services to clients in languages that are relevant to refugees and immigrants who are living in our community

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides services in a variety of settings to include employment, education, governmental agencies, home visits, medical, legal, social service, and other settings as requested
• Provides appropriate documentation and reports for services, including confirmation forms, mileage or other paperwork as requested 
• Represents and promotes Compass Interpreters in the community 
• Follows the interpreter code of ethics

Additional Employment Expectations

• Hired as an employee of The Center
• If applying as an “untrained” bilingual speaker, attendance and completion of Bridging the Gap training will be required to accept medical appointments
• Attend department information meetings as requested
• Participate in continuing education opportunities as available

Department: TONE — translation of nearly everything

Job Summary: Tune in, turn it up, join us! Provides professional translation services from requested source text to target text in accordance with Project Manager requests, client specifications, and deadlines. We hire translators on a continuing basis. All positions are as freelance translators. No full-time positions are available.

Accountabilities: All translators report to the translation Manager and work closely with the Translation Coordinator. Translators are hired as independent contractors and can work anywhere around the world. All communication is done electronically and all translations are electronic documents. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Translate or review requested text accurately and completely, conveying the meaning of the source target into the target text
• Ability to translate 250 words p. hour, 2,000 words p. day, 10,000 words p. week.
• Complete accepted jobs in accordance with project specifications and within deadline
• Format all individual document requests in accordance with the original
  
  

Additional Employment Expectations:

• Translation Memory software – such as Wordfast, MemoQ, SDL Trados, XTM, Across, Xbench, Déjà Vu – is an advantage
• All applicants are subject to an interview process. Applicants may be asked to complete sample translation or deliver a small sample without payment unless proof of language proficiency, language testing, or a nationally/internationally recognized certificate is provided.

Volunteer with The Center to help refugees, immigrants, and the greater Mohawk Valley community feel welcome. 

We need volunteers in a number of areas, including refugee resettlement, tutoring English, assisting with citizenship test preparation, and administrative assistance. Due to COVID-19, in-person volunteer opportunities are limited. Remote volunteer opportunities are available. 

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, complete the application below, and submit your updated resume and cover letter on the next page. 

The Center Internship Application

You'll be contacted about current volunteer opportunities. Thank you for helping to create a community of welcome. 

Volunteer Position: Tutor - Naturalization Exam

Department: Office for New Americans 

Position Summary: Work one on one or in small groups with immigrants and refugees studying for their naturalization exam to become U.S. Citizens. Individuals must learn 100 civics questions and be able to communicate in basic information in English.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Practice civics questions and speaking English with individuals or in small groups
• Keep track of progress and work on areas that need improvement
• Maintain confidentiality of clients at all times  

Accountabilities: This volunteer will report directly to the Project Coordinator for the Office of New Americans Opportunity Center

Volunteer Position: Tutor - English

Department: Adult Learning and/or Office for New Americans 

Position Summary: Work one on one or in small groups with immigrants and refugees studying the English language. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Practice English 
• Keep track of progress and work on areas that need improvement
• Maintain confidentiality of clients at all times  

Accountabilities: This volunteer position is available for two different departments at the Center. Our Adult Learning department which provides English classes everyday through a partnership with MVCC needs tutors for some of their students. Our Office for New Americans program also needs tutors to assist individuals outside of regular English language classes or at other locations in the City where English instruction is provided.

Volunteer Position: Outreach and Planning Assistant

Department: Office for New Americans

Position Summary: Support administrative tasks such as community outreach, workshop planning and facilitation for the Office for New Americans Opportunity Center 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Complete administrative tasks as requested (i.e. copying, data collection, filing, follow-up, research etc.)
• Conduct outreach for the Office for New Americans programs (such as putting up posters at various locations throughout the City or contacting local faith institutions to make them aware of upcoming events)
• Assist with workshop ideas, planning, and facilitation

Accountabilities: This volunteer position will report to the Project Coordinator for the Office for New Americans Opportunity Center.

Volunteer Position: MAC Mentor 

Department: Making a Connection Program (MAC Grant)

Position Summary: Mentors will be paired with one or more of our participants to help refugee youth and young adults achieve their academic and professional goals! 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Meet and maintain communication with mentee
• Provide mentee with guidance necessary for adjusting to life in America and accomplishing their goals
• Follow-up with the MAC Program Manager to update them about the mentee's progress and any needs the mentee may have  
• Participate in MAC programming and events   

Accountabilities: This mentor position will be paired with a MAC participant based off of the participants needs and goals. Mentors will be required to maintain communication with their mentee and the MAC Program Manager. This is a new grant program at the Center with the purpose of matching refugee youth ages 15-24 with positive adult mentors to promote positive civic and social engagement and support individual educational and vocational advancement.

Volunteer Position: Administrative Assistant 

Department: Making a Connection Program (MAC Grant)

Position Summary: Support this brand new program by providing support with administrative tasks and outreach!

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Complete administrative tasks as requested (i.e. copying, data collection, filing, follow-up, research etc.)
• Assist with community outreach 
• Follow-up with individuals interested in program participation 
• Assist with identifying mentors for refugee youth
  

Accountabilities: This volunteer position will report to the MAC Program Manager. This is a new grant program at the Center with the purpose of matching refugee youth ages 15-24 with positive adult mentors to promote positive civic and social engagement and support individual educational and vocational advancement.

Volunteer Position: Office Assistant - Reception

Department: Administration 

Position Summary: Provide coverage for the reception area (front desk) during lunch periods, meetings, and other times as needed

Responsibilities and Duties

• Answer the phone and direct calls accordingly
• Answer the phone and take messages as needed
• Buzz people into the building 
• Request sign-in from visitors

Accountabilities: This volunteer position will report to the Chief Operating Officer and work directly with the Receptionist.

Volunteer Position: Compass Interpreters - Office Assistant - Reception

Department: Compass Interpreters 

Position Summary: Provide coverage for compass Interpreters as needed

Responsibilities and Duties

• Answer the phone and take messages as needed

Accountabilities: This volunteer position will report to the Compass Interpreters Manager and work directly with the team. 

The Center is currently seeking individuals who are interested in interning during the Fall Semester at our organization. Additional internships are available for the Spring semesters and summer break. Specific positions may change from semester to semester. Minimum hours and workload vary depending on the department and internship position. If you're the community builder we are looking for, apply today!

The organization prefers individuals who are pursuing studies in the following areas:

• International Studies/Relations
• Human Rights
• Human Services
• Government
• Journalism
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Computer Sciences/Graphic Design
• Human Service
• Language
• Anthropology

University students of any level of study will be considered. Prospective interns who match our organization's needs will be contacted for an interview.  After the interview process, a final decision will be made.

To apply, complete the application and attach on the next page

Application - click here