Language Specialist Jobs
Language Specialist jobs are open across government agencies, healthcare systems, legal services, education, and corporate localization teams, at every level from entry-level translator to senior terminologist and program lead, with specializations in interpretation, technical translation, and language assessment. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description
To be eligible for this position, you must pass a DCYF Spanish language certification test within your first 6 months of employment. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language, based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test
Job Title: Dual Language Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4)
Location: Richland, WA (Hybrid- work will include a mixture of in-person, telework, and field work.) Travel required to provide regional support and coverage to all seven Region 2 offices. For a detailed view of DCYF's regional boundaries, Click Here.
Closes: 8/4/26
Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually
We're looking for a Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) who is interested in being a trainer and mentor to an amazing team of Social Service Specialists. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today!
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
The Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) position is a critical lead role designed to increase consistency of practice in child welfare cases to improve child safety outcomes and the overall quality of investigations, assessments, and interventions. In this role, you'll provide consultation services and mentoring to new and experienced staff. This position trains to the delivery of program-specialized casework in the investigation and assessment of child abuse and/or neglect, and provides performance-related feedback to Supervisors and Area Administrators,
Some of what you will get to do:
- Demonstrate, monitor, teach, observe, and mentor field operations staff.
- Provide consultation services to new and experienced Social Service Specialists to improve the quality-of-service delivery and safety outcomes to children and families in child welfare cases.
- Supervise, consult with, direct, and support Social Service Specialist staff who are managing high-risk/complex cases.
- Conduct periodic, or upon request, observation of Social Service Specialists to ensure consistency of standard of practice expectations.
- Review region, local office, and unit child welfare program goals, identify needs, and work on meeting set targets for improvement in practice and child safety.
- Review cases, analyze compliance with state and federal requirements, policies, and procedures, and implement formal and informal training and action plans to address deficiencies.
Required Qualifications:
The ability to read, write, and speak both English and Spanish fluently for providing interpretation and translation to clients is required for this position. Employee must be certified, proficient, and be able to provide certification to perform duty. Certification must be obtained within 6 months of appointment.
Equivalent education and experience totaling nine years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent,
OR
Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent,
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field; and five years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,
OR
A Master's degree or higher in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,
AND
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Note: Two years of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Strong working knowledge of Washington’s electronic child welfare records system, FamLink.
- Strong risk assessment and safety assessment skills.
- Working knowledge of developing effective safety plans that reduce future risk of child abuse or neglect and improve child safety.
- Knowledge and understanding of the connection between research, data, and practice.
- Working knowledge of child development, including early childhood brain development.
- Previously demonstrated knowledge of Child Protective Services’ roles, responsibilities, and authority.
- Previously demonstrated working knowledge of DCYF programs and policies, Family Assessment Response, Child Protective Services Investigations, Family Voluntary Services, Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Reconciliation Services, Adoptions, Interstate Compact, etc.
How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Transcripts - if applicable to qualifications (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
Supplemental Information:
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.
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Find Language Specialist JobsLanguage Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Meridial28

- The Therapy Spot4
- Boston Public Schools3

- Apple2

- Texas Children's Hospital2

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Insurance
- Government & Public Sector
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in language specialist jobs.
- Fluency in at least two languages with demonstrated professional-level proficiency
- Bachelor's degree in linguistics, translation studies, or a related field
- Experience with CAT tools such as SDL Trados or memoQ
- ATA, CCHI, or equivalent professional certification preferred
- Subject-matter expertise in legal, medical, or technical domains
- Familiarity with style guides, glossary management, and terminology databases
Tips for Your Language Specialist Job Search
List every language pair you work in
Recruiters search by language pair, not just fluency level. Your resume should name every combination you work in, such as Spanish-English or Mandarin-English, along with the direction you translate, so your profile matches the exact queries hiring managers run.
Add certifications to your resume header
Certifications from bodies like ATA or CCHI carry real weight in language specialist hiring. Put them in your header or summary alongside your language pairs so they appear in the first pass of any ATS screen, not buried in a credentials section.
Target postings by domain, not just title
A medical interpreter role and a legal terminology specialist role both use the title language specialist. Filter by industry keyword, such as healthcare, legal, or government, so you apply only to roles where your subject-matter background gives you a genuine edge.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists language specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing. Applying early matters because specialized language roles often close quickly once a strong candidate pool forms.
Prepare a domain-specific translation sample
Many language specialist interviews include a timed translation or sight-interpretation exercise in your subject area. Have a polished two-page sample in your primary domain, medical, legal, or technical, ready to share or submit before your first interview call.
Negotiate scope before accepting a rate
Language specialist offers sometimes combine base pay with per-word or per-minute rates for overflow work. Clarify whether the role is staff, contract, or hybrid before negotiating, so you're comparing total compensation rather than just the headline figure.
Language Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most language specialists?
Meridial, The Therapy Spot, and Boston Public Schools are hiring the most language specialists right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, California, and Maryland, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is especially active in healthcare networks and federal agencies seeking qualified interpreters and terminologists.
How many language specialist jobs are remote?
About 71% of language specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting strong demand for written translation and localization work that doesn't require on-site presence. Interpretation roles, particularly consecutive and simultaneous court or medical interpreting, are more likely to require in-person attendance.
How do you become a language specialist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in linguistics, translation, or a related field, and build fluency in at least one language pair to a professional standard. Gain domain knowledge in a field like healthcare, legal, or technical writing, then earn a recognized certification such as ATA or CCHI. Build a portfolio of real translation samples before applying to staff or contract roles.
Can you get hired as a language specialist with little experience?
Entry-level language specialist roles exist, particularly in localization quality assurance, language data collection, and interpreter aide positions. Employers in these roles prioritize demonstrated language accuracy over years of experience. A strong writing sample in your language pair, relevant coursework, and volunteer interpreting work at community organizations can substitute for paid experience in early applications.
What does the language specialist interview process look like?
Most language specialist interviews include a language proficiency screen, a timed translation or interpretation exercise in your primary domain, and a structured interview covering subject-matter knowledge and professional judgment. Some employers add a terminology or glossary review task. Government and healthcare roles often require credential verification before a formal offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to language specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to language specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your language pair and domain, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and availability.
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