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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Translator/Interpreter
Job Summary:
Cultural Linguistic Services (CLS) provides translation and interpretation services, facilitates workplace English and computer training, offers volunteer tutoring, and delivers inclusive and effective communication workshops. Our goal is to provide language access, cross-cultural understanding, and effective communication in the workplace.
The Hmong <> English Interpreter, Translator & Trainer provides Hmong <> English language services—including oral interpretation and written translation—to university departments, employees, managers, and supervisors. Not related specifically to Hmong-speaking employees, this position supports translation coordination, other CLS projects, and assigned administrative tasks related to language services and workplace learning program. The person in this role works collaboratively with units and divisions across campus to support UW-Madison employees through workplace learning, resources, and language services. It also contributes to campus-wide outreach efforts in partnership with other units.
All CLS team members work in a collaborative environment.
This position provides services to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift employees. Some evenings/nights are required.
This position will be a hybrid position. Some work must be performed in person at a designed campus work location, and some work can be performed remotely at an offsite non-campus work location.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Collaborates with internal and external groups to assess and evaluate employees' interpretation needs
- Provides interpretation services to employees, managers, and supervisors to support the communication of employment materials to individuals and groups in requested languages
- Collaborates with internal and external groups to assess and evaluate employees' translation needs
- Supports translation coordination, other CLS projects, and assigned administrative tasks related to language services and workplace learning program
- Creates, develops, implements, and facilitates team educational workshops, resources, and materials for both individuals and the organization
- Provides translation services to employees, managers, and supervisors to support the communication of employment materials to individuals and groups in requested languages
Department:
- Located within the Office of Human Resources, Cultural Linguistic Services (CLS) in the operational area of Language Services
Compensation:
- The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $65,000 but is negotiable based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.
- This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.
Required Qualifications:
- Proficiency in both Hmong and English languages
- Prior experience providing translation and interpretation services in Hmong <> English
- Prior training and/or teaching experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Commitment to enhancing effective communication and language access in Hmong and English for employees
- Solid foundation and background in Hmong language
- Understanding and knowledge of Hmong culture
- Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate empathetically and effectively, both written and verbally, with departments and personnel as well as customers from a wide range of backgrounds
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload with strict attention to details, handle time constraints and adapt to changing needs and demands of services
- Flexibility to work across 3 different shifts and to adjust the working schedule frequently
- Ability to handle challenging, sensitive, and confidential situations respectfully and adhere to ethical principles and compliance with the code of ethics for translators and interpreters
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree Required. Preferred degree, certificate, or coursework in: Hmong <> English Translation, Hmong <> English Interpretation, Hmong Literature, Hmong Language, Hmong Studies
How to Apply:
- To apply for this position, please click the "Apply" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents: Cover Letter (in both English and Hmong) & Resume. The cover letter shall refer to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background.
- Please note when applying, there will be only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field.
- After reading the Job Summary and Key Job Responsibilities, submit a cover letter in both English and Hmong (no longer than 2 pages in length) containing specific, first‑hand examples of how your current knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a past experience would support your success in the role. We value authenticity and transparency. Please ensure all responses reflect your personal experience. Applicants may be asked to elaborate on provided examples during the interview process.
- Applicants should provide a resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above.
- Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants.
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The application deadline is 11:59 pm on November 1, 2026.
Contact Information:
Kayla Eckerty, kayla.eckerty@wisc.edu, 608-890-4609
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.