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 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. 

Title: Scheduler/Office Assistant

Department: Compass Interpreters

Job Summary: The Scheduler/Office Administrative Assistant oversees the organization, cullection, data entry, and management of paperwork from interpreting assignments as submitted by Compass Interpreters and assists with scheduling of customer interpreting requests.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Overseeing data finishing entry to the Fluency scheduling system
• Providing all completed confirmations in an efficient manner to the Finance Department
• Communicating with interpreters to ensure submission of paperwork
• Assisting with scheduling appointments and filing
• Assessing coverage concerns
• Ensuring customer satisfaction and excellent customer service
• Assisting and coordinating with other MVRCR departments as needed
• Any other required duties

Accountabilities: This position reports to the Manager of Compass Interpreters. Report to the manager/director. This position will coordinate entry of data into Fluency scheduling system, assist with assignment scheduling, be in charge of time finishing, and work closely with the Finance Department

Additional Employment Expectations: Compass Interpreters is the interpretation department at The Center. Candidates are expected to be welcoming, having an understanding of working in a multicultural / multilingual environment and be flexible. Individuals working in this position must be able to multitask and handle interruptions due to phone calls or office visitors. 

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 work load 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.

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

Department: Refugee Resettlement
Status: Full-time
Reports to: Resettlement Director
Supervises: none
Travel: Less than 10 days a year

Job Summary: 

The full-time Refugee Service Coordinator provides logistical and technical support to Refugee Services department, including pre-arrival and arrival assistance, assistance with completing the program and statistical reports to ensure the successful implementation of the Reception and Placement (R&P), Matching Grant (MG) and New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program (NYSESRP). The Coordinator also recruits and manages the volunteers necessary to support refugee resettlement and ancillary support services for refugees and immigrants. The Coordinator provides enhanced services to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in the United States. Such services include, but are not limited to, case management; access to employment and training services; and support services such as English language training, assistance with health and medical services and post-employment services necessary to assist the individuals and families to attain economic and social self-sufficiency and to successfully integrate into U.S. society. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Facilitate case management services for newly arrived refugees and immigrants families. 
• Provide comprehensive support and assistance to refugees, including client intake, orientation, coordination, advising, and outreach to ensure the successful transition towards self-sufficiency and integration in their new country. 
• Assist with referrals to external organizations as necessary to facilitate access to services for new arrivals. 
• Recruit volunteers through various techniques (databases, e-mail, social media, etc.) 
• Collect information on availabilities and skills and complete the on-boarding process. 
• Provide agency orientation and match a volunteer with the appropriate agency program. 
• Complete and submit all necessary UMHA AmeriCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines. 
• Attend all UMHA AmeriCorps training including orientation and team training. 
• Complete all UMHA AmeriCorps required National Days of Service projects. 
• Some local and out of town travel required.  

Host Site Preferred Qualifications: 

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred 
• Ability to work with diversity and multi-disciplinary teams 
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills 
• Technology proficiency including instructional technology and MS Office 
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills 

Transportation Information: 

• The position location is accessible by public transportation. 
• A personal vehicle is recommended to get to position location. 
• Host Site organization vehicle is available for service activities. Member is covered by the organization’s vehicle insurance policy. 
• Personal vehicles may be used for Host Site service activities. Mileage will be reimbursed by the Host Site.