Interpreting

Interpreting Wellington is committed to being a good employer and providing work opportunities for members of the refugee and migrant community.

Office roles

Positions in our office become available from time to time and are publicised on this site. We offer flexible working hours and have a mix of part-time and full-time employees. Our staff are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge and to contribute towards our organisation's development and direction.

Interpreting with us

Interpreting Wellington employs interpreters on a casual basis. Our interpreters serve in hospitals, health centres, social services, courts, tribunals, police, immigration, housing and wider local and central government organisations. They may also do assignments with business firms, private individuals, embassies and visiting delegations.

Work opportunities arise when an interpreter is requested for your language and you are considered the most appropriate person for that assignment.

Our employment agreement includes a commitment to observe our code of ethics. This code is reinforced in our training and the annual round of performance evaluations.

Our service operates 24 hours, seven days a week for onsite and telephone interpreting. There is not a heavy demand for after hours interpreting, but when it happens, it is generally urgent and needs prompt action.

Good hourly rates are paid. For onsite interpreting, whole hours are paid for part-hours. Telephone interpreting is paid on fifteen minute slots. An extra fee is paid when interpreting takes place outside standard working hours. Specified transport costs are reimbursed. Additional arrangements apply when travel is required outside the interpreter's home region.

Special financial incentives apply to support and reward interpreters who gain accreditation from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Becoming an interpreter

Interpreting Wellington recruits people who are very proficient speakers of English and another language. We particularly need languages spoken by refugees and new migrants to New Zealand.

To train as an interpreter, you need to be

• generally available during normal working hours
• a NZ citizen or holder of Permanent Residence status
• living in NZ for 18 months or more
• well educated, with a broad general knowledge
• keen to learn and expand your horizons
• mature and of high moral integrity.

Introductory in-house courses are run six-monthly. Applications are invited in January and June - see the training section for details.

Experienced interpreters with existing qualifications, desirably NAATI or Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting, are encouraged to contact us at any time of the year