Spanish Translator / Proofreader Volunteer

IMPORTANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

⚠️ Application Required Through the Red Cross System

Please note: Handshake applications are not accepted for this role.

To be officially considered, you must apply directly through the American Red Cross Volunteer Connection (VCN) Portal. The application takes just 5 to 7 minutes to complete.

👉 Start your application here via Volunteer Connection

*A major in one of the following fields is strongly preferred: Linguistics, Translation and Language Studies, Spanish Philology, and Interpretation. This ensures the volunteer has formal training in syntax, semantics, translation theory, constructive grammar, sociolinguistics, and textual analysis.

The Spanish Translator and Proofreader volunteer works closely with the Multicultural Communications Team to translate and review written materials from English into Spanish. Volunteers play a key role in ensuring that all Spanish‑language content is clear, accurate, culturally appropriate, and aligned with American Red Cross terminology, style, and messaging guidelines.

This mission‑critical work ensures that Spanish‑speaking communities receive timely, accessible, and trustworthy information, especially during emergencies, public health events, and humanitarian outreach.

Job Description:

• Post‑editing machine translation: You will receive the English source text that has already been machine‑translated. Your job is to: Correct mistranslations, restore nuance, tone, and intent, ensure terminology matches ARC standards, fix grammar, syntax, and punctuation, and improve readability and flow.
• Human translation and proofreading: May be asked to translate English documents from scratch, proofread Spanish documents created by other volunteers, and review Spanish content for clarity, tone, and consistency.
• Use of CAT tools: You will work with computer‑assisted translation tools to maintain consistent terminology, reuse previous translations, improve efficiency, track changes, and maintain version control. This implies familiarity with translation memories, glossaries, and QA tools.
• Adherence to ARC style and terminology: ARC uses standardized terminology lists, style guides, tone guidelines, and formatting rules, and must follow these to ensure Spanish content is uniform across the organization.
• Collaboration with subject matter experts: Content may involve medical terminology, emergency response procedures, legal or policy language, and technical instructions. You may need to consult experts to ensure accuracy.
• Incorporating reviewer feedback: ARC emphasizes continuous improvement. You must accept and apply feedback, adjust your style to match team expectations, maintain consistency across projects, and demonstrate growth over time.

Required Qualifications:

• A degree in linguistics, translation and language studies, Spanish philology, or interpretation is preferred. Candidates from other fields must demonstrate equivalent expertise through translation certifications, a professional portfolio, work samples, and proof of experience.
• Language proficiency expectations: You must be a native Spanish speaker, highly proficient in English, skilled in both formal and informal registers, and able to adapt tone for different audiences. This includes mastery of: grammar, orthography, punctuation, cohesion and coherence, and cultural nuance.
• Technical skills: Strong command of Microsoft Word (advanced formatting, track changes, comments), basic Excel skills, ability to work with CAT tools, and reliable computer, phone, and internet.

Time Commitment: 1–5 hours per month. Workload varies depending on disaster activity, campaigns, and communication needs, and you may be contacted for urgent translations during emergencies.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must provide documentation showing they meet at least one of the following:

• A degree in a language‑related field: Linguistics, Translation and Language Studies, Spanish Philology, and Interpretation is strongly preferred.
• Two years of full‑time translation experience or an accredited degree in another field, or five years of full‑time translation experience.

Competencies Required:

• Translation competence: Ability to understand source text, produce accurate target text, resolve ambiguities, and maintain tone and intent.
• Linguistic and textual competence: Mastery of grammar, syntax, text structure, cohesion, register, and genre conventions.
• Research competence: You must be able to look up terminology, verify facts, use authoritative sources, and cross‑check specialized vocabulary.
• Cultural and domain competence: Must understand cultural context, Spanish-speaking community needs, ARC’s humanitarian mission, and emergency‑response terminology.

Interview & Evaluation Process:

The evaluation includes three practical tasks, each assessed using a standardized framework:

1. Writing sample: Demonstrates clarity, structure, and command of Spanish writing conventions.
2. Translation test: Evaluates accuracy, fluency, terminology use, and ability to preserve meaning.
3. Proofreading test: Measures ability to identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, syntax, and style.

These tasks ensure volunteers meet the quality standards required for Red Cross communications.

Additional Requirements: Strong computer literacy, especially in Microsoft Word, ability to volunteer 100% remotely, submission of a resume, must be 18 or older, and willingness to comply with Red Cross and public‑health policies.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

⚠️ Application Required Through the Red Cross System

Please note: Handshake applications are not accepted for this role.

To be officially considered, you must apply directly through the American Red Cross Volunteer Connection (VCN) Portal. The application takes just 5 to 7 minutes to complete.

👉 Start your application here via Volunteer Connection