Job description
⚠️ Application Required Through Red Cross System
To be considered for this role, you must complete your application through the Red Cross Volunteer Connection (VCN) site. Applications submitted through Handshake alone will not be reviewed.
👉 Apply here: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/intake
⏱ The application is quick and takes only 5–7 minutes to complete.
*** Please note: a major in linguistics, translation, journalism, Spanish philology, or interpretation is strongly preferred***
This internship supports the National Headquarters Communications department, specifically the Multicultural Communications team. This is a 100% virtual opportunity. As an intern, you play a vital role in advancing the American Red Cross mission by making communications clear, accurate, and culturally meaningful for Spanish‑speaking audiences. Your language expertise helps bridge gaps, build trust, and ensure that critical messages are accessible, inclusive, and impactful – no matter where people live.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure Quality & Clarity: Review and proofread translated materials, including post‑edited machine translations, to ensure accuracy, fluency, and cultural relevance in both English and Spanish.
- Translate with Purpose: Translate internal and external Red Cross content on an as‑needed basis, supporting timely and mission‑critical communications.
- Use the Right Tools: Leverage computer‑aided translation (CAT) tools to promote consistency, efficiency, and high‑quality results.
- Uphold Standards: Apply Red Cross translation style guides and approved terminology to ensure all content meets organizational standards.
- Collaborate for Accuracy: Partner with subject matter experts to understand specialized or technical concepts and translate them appropriately for diverse audiences.
- Support Inclusive Communication: Help ensure Red Cross messaging reflects cultural nuance, everyday language, and community‑centered understanding.
Required Qualifications:
- Language Expertise: Fluency in written and reading comprehension in both Spanish and English, with the ability to navigate cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions.
- Translation Experience: Prior, verifiable experience translating from English to Spanish
- Strong Proofreading Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to identify and correct grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, fluency, and style issues in both languages.
- Style & Standards Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) guidelines and best practices for professional Spanish writing.
- Tech‑Confident: Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools, particularly Word and Excel.
- Remote‑Ready: Access to a phone, computer, and reliable internet connection.
- Application Materials: Submission of a resume and translation work sample portfolio.
- Policy Alignment: Willingness to comply with current public health guidance and American Red Cross policies.
Education or Equivalent Experience:
Strongly preferred:
- Coursework or major in linguistics, translation, journalism, Spanish philology, or interpretation.
- Alternatively: a verifiable combination of education and experience, including professional translation certification or a submitted translation portfolio.
Preferred:
- Native or near‑native command of Spanish as a primary working language, with excellent proficiency in English.
- Experience using computer‑aided translation and language quality assurance tools (e.g., Crowdin or similar platforms).
- Interest in continued professional growth, including further education, specialization, or certification in translation.
Time Commitment:
- From 5 to 10 hours a week translating/proofreading documents, depending on university guidelines.
- Length of Appointment: September – December
Development Opportunities:
- As an intern, you will have the power to make a meaningful impact on the American Red Cross’s mission. You will apply your knowledge and experience while gaining valuable insights and learning experiences from the organization.
- You’ll also be able to expand your knowledge base in humanitarian efforts and emergency/disaster response. Your role is crucial to the impact of these efforts, and your contribution will be significant.
- You’ll gain valuable professional experience in terminology, translation project workflow, phraseology, what differentiates a ‘good’ translation from a ‘bad’ one, editing, proofreading, etc.
- How to use computer-aided translation tools, glossaries, and style guides to comply with translation/proofreading industry best practices.
- Work with custom machine translation models.
- You will gain skills and knowledge to enhance your professional abilities as a translator/proofreader.
Reminder: Submitting an application on Handshake alone does not complete your application. You must apply through Volunteer Connection to be considered.
👉 Apply now: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/intake
⏱ It only takes 5–7 minutes