On-Call Pashto (in-person) Interpreter & Translator
| Job Title: |
On-Call Pashto (in-person) Interpreter & Translator |
| Location: | Portland Metro (in-person) |
| Department: | Community Engagement / Legal & Immigration Services |
| Position Type: | Independent Contractor (1099) – On-Call |
ABOUT THE AFGHAN SUPPORT NETWORK:
The Afghan Support Network is the first culturally specific nonprofit organization that has been formed to target the needs of Afghan refugees and the Afghan-American community in the greater Portland area, Oregon & Southwest Washington.
OUR MISSION: To enable the well-being of Afghans through community, advocacy, and support.
OUR VISION: A future in which all Afghans prosper and contribute to the success of their communities.
JOB SUMMARY:
Afghan Support Network (ASN) is seeking culturally competent, professional, and reliable interpreters and translators fluent in Pashto to assist Afghan refugees and immigrant clients navigating the U.S. immigration system, legal appointments, USCIS interviews, etc. This flexible, on-call position is ideal for individuals looking to serve their community while maintaining adaptable work hours. Assignments are going to be in-person and sometimes virtual depending on client and program needs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide accurate and culturally appropriate verbal interpretation between English and Pashto, and vice versa in the following settings:
○ Immigration attorney consultations
○ USCIS asylum and green card interviews
○ Client case management and resource navigation
- Assist clients with filling out immigration-related forms and declarations.
- Translate documents such as birth certificates, affidavits, and correspondence from Dari/Pashto to English and vice versa.
- Maintain strict confidentiality, neutrality, and professionalism at all times.
- Relay messages clearly and efficiently in a neutral, unbiased tone.
- Participate in occasional team check-ins or interpreter training, when available.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Fluency in English and Pashto (spoken and written).
- Strong command of interpretation ethics, including accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality.
- Prior experience in interpretation or translation, especially in legal or social service settings, is preferred.
- Familiarity with immigration-related vocabulary (USCIS terms, asylum, declarations) is a plus.
- Ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds with cultural sensitivity.
- Must be reliable, punctual, and able to manage on-call assignments professionally.
Job-Specific Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; formal interpretation/translation training is a plus.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in target languages.
- Comfortable using basic email, phone, and video conferencing tools.
- Must have their own reliable transportation (for in-person assignments).
- Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries.
Compensation & Benefits:
- This is a 1099 Independent Contractor position.
- The Client agrees to pay the Contractor a rate of $40 (USD) per hour for all interpretation services rendered.
- The Contractor will be paid for the full amount of time scheduled for each assignment, even if the service concludes earlier than anticipated.
- No benefits (health insurance, paid time off, etc.) are included due to contractor status.
- Flexible hours; interpreters will be contacted based on availability and community needs.
- Opportunity to support a mission-driven organization and directly impact the Afghan community.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should email their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to hello@asnpdx.org. Please include “Pashto in-person Interpreter/Translator” in the subject line.
The Afghan Support Network is committed to diversity and equal opportunity, encouraging applications from all individuals, including those from refugee and immigrant communities.