On-Call Language Interpreter 2026P-0370
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Ascension LLC is seeking qualified, professional language interpreters to support Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA, audit activities for DHS immigration detention and holding facility environments. This role supports certified PREA auditors during detainee interviews by providing accurate, neutral, and confidential interpretation for Limited English Proficient, or LEP, individuals. The requirement specifically anticipates interpreter support for Spanish and indigenous languages, including K’iche’, Mam, and Q’anjob’al, during onsite interviews with detainees. The SOW states that at least 50% of detainee interviews may require interpretation services, with interviews generally lasting 10 to 30 minutes.
The ideal candidate understands the importance of impartial communication in sensitive interview settings, especially where topics may involve sexual abuse prevention, facility compliance, detainee safety, and government oversight. This role is best suited for interpreters who are calm, discreet, culturally aware, emotionally mature, and capable of supporting structured interviews in correctional, detention, law enforcement, immigration, legal, social services, or compliance-related environments.
Summary of Contractor Role
The On-Call Language Interpreter will provide interpretation support to certified PREA auditors conducting interviews with detainees at DHS immigration detention facilities, ICE holding facilities, and CBP holding facilities. The interpreter will assist auditors in communicating clearly with LEP detainees while maintaining strict neutrality, confidentiality, and professionalism. The interpreter will not conduct interviews independently, provide advice, advocate for any party, make audit findings, or perform investigative functions.
The role may involve onsite interpretation during facility audits, telephonic or virtual interpretation when approved, and coordination with the Ascension Program Manager or audit team to confirm language needs, scheduling, availability, and interview support requirements. The position requires strong listening skills, precise verbal communication, sound judgment, and the ability to interpret sensitive content without altering meaning, adding commentary, or omitting relevant information.
Because DHS audits may occur across CONUS and, on limited occasions, OCONUS locations such as Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and possessions, interpreters may be asked to support travel-based assignments when available. The SOW notes that approximately 30% of contractor work is expected onsite at DHS facilities, with the remaining work performed from contractor or corporate workspaces.
Expected Day-to-Day Activities
- Provide consecutive interpretation between auditors and LEP detainees during PREA-related interviews.
- Interpret questions, responses, clarifying statements, and follow-up discussion accurately and completely.
- Support interpretation needs for Spanish and, when qualified, indigenous languages such as K’iche’, Mam, Q’anjob’al, or other identified languages.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of detainee information, audit information, facility observations, and government records.
- Follow auditor instructions regarding interview flow, communication protocol, and role boundaries.
- Remain neutral and avoid coaching, summarizing, advising, or influencing detainee responses.
- Coordinate availability, travel readiness, and assignment logistics with Ascension’s Program Manager or designated audit lead.
- Assist auditors in maintaining respectful, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate communication during sensitive interviews.
- Comply with DHS, ICE, CBP, facility, and Ascension policies related to professional conduct, privacy, records handling, and onsite behavior.
- Report any scheduling conflicts, communication barriers, or interpretation concerns immediately to the assigned audit lead.
- Protect all personally identifiable information, sensitive information, and government-furnished information from unauthorized disclosure.
- Complete required onboarding, facility access, confidentiality, or security-related training before supporting assigned work.
How to Apply
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| Job Category | Language Services |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred. | Fluency in English and at least one target language required. | Ability to travel to DHS facility locations when required and when mutually agreed upon. | Ability to follow government direction regarding use of approved communication channels, handling of sensitive information, and onsite conduct. |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 2 years of professional interpretation experience in Spanish, K’iche’, Mam, Q’anjob’al, or another high-demand LEP language relevant to immigration or detention settings. |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Ability to interpret accurately without paraphrasing, summarizing, omitting, or adding content. |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Prior interpretation experience in immigration, detention, corrections, law enforcement, legal, healthcare, victim services, social services, asylum, refugee, or human services environments. | Certification or training from a recognized interpreter organization, court interpreter program, medical interpreter program, community interpreter program, or equivalent professional interpreter training. | Experience supporting interviews involving trauma-informed communication, vulnerable populations, or sensitive personal disclosures. | Experience interpreting for indigenous language speakers from Guatemala or other Central American communities. | Familiarity with PREA, detention standards, custodial settings, or government compliance reviews. | Ability to support short-notice assignments, multi-day onsite audits, and interviews across multiple shifts when needed. | Strong professionalism, emotional composure, cultural humility, and discretion. |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENT | Must be able to pass any required DHS, ICE, CBP, facility-level, or contractor background screening before assignment. | Must be willing to sign confidentiality, non-disclosure, conflict-of-interest, and professional conduct acknowledgments as required. | Must comply with DHS requirements for handling sensitive but unclassified information, personally identifiable information, and audit-related materials. The SOW states that audit information and records must be handled securely and that sensitive information provided to auditors must follow appropriate safeguarding procedures. | Public Trust or DHS background investigation may be required depending on assignment location, access level, and agency direction. |