Departmental Assistant/Project Manager Translation Center

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Departmental Assistant/Project Manager position will oversee the logistics of planning public events for the Translation Center, managing interpretation and translation assignments, assist in supervising student employees, interns, and ad hoc staff and supporting public outreach efforts of the Translation Center.

Essential Functions

• Project management of interpreting assignments.
• Project management of translation assignments and multi-service language projects.
• Carry out client billing processes related to projects.
• Organize events such as, but not limited to, speakers, workshops, translation events with the general public, and high school student Translation Center visits.
• Manage any assigned programming, including but not limited to, workshop series, speaker series, high school awareness building programs, undergraduate and graduate student internships or student employment, and the translation-in-residence program.
• Work collaboratively with any assigned community partners and seek opportunities to establish additional community partners and outreach initiatives.
• Oversee any assigned student employees.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree in language other than English, Linguistics, Business or related field and some work experience.
• Familiarity with the practice, profession, standards, and ethics of providing language services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability and facility in the English language (reading, writing, comprehension) including proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, word meaning, and word usage.
• Fluency in at least one language other than English.
• Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Access). Familiarity with desktop publishing (e.g., InDesign) and computer-aided translation (CAT) tools.
• Ability to work independently and multitask.
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships. Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be well organized and have excellent attention to detail skills.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment activity.

Additional Details

• Report to the Director of the UMass Translation Center. Supervise ad-hoc interpreters, translators, and other language professionals, and any assigned student employees. Collaborate with other project managers and Center staff.

Work Schedule

• 20-25 hours per week; Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm
• Schedule varies depending on the needs of the department; may need to be available for evenings or weekends.
• This is a non-benefitted, temporary position for one -year.

Salary Information:

• Range $25-$32 per hour.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit resume and contact information for three professional references that may be contacted.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.