Position:  Linguist Recruiter

Location: Portland, Oregon (Hybrid)

Reports To: Interpreter Relations Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time / Exempt

Company Overview

Linguava Interpreters, Inc. is a premier language services provider dedicated to ensuring language access in healthcare and beyond. Our mission is to be the go-to company that employees take pride in, linguists are excited to be partnered with, and the healthcare community trusts as the premier choice for exceptional language services. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Linguava has grown into a $33 million company with a team of 100+ full-time employees and a network of skilled linguists. We are passionate about helping patients find their seat at the table to fully participate in their healthcare, regardless of what language they speak or sign.

At Linguava, we are guided by our core values:

• People First – We prioritize well-being, respect, compassion, and understanding for all stakeholders while fostering a people-centric culture.

• Doing the Right Thing – We uphold transparency, honesty, integrity, and accountability to the highest ethical standards.

• Pursuit of Progress – We embrace continuous improvement, innovation, and creativity throughout the company.

• Above & Beyond Customer Service – We exceed expectations through exceptional care, personalized solutions, and extraordinary experiences.

• We Have Each Other’s Back – We promote teamwork, support, and collaboration across all roles and titles.

Position Summary

The Linguist Recruiter plays a critical role in ensuring Linguava has a robust and responsive network of linguists to meet client language demands across onsite, translation, over-the-phone, and video remote interpreting service lines. This position is responsible for leading full-cycle recruitment efforts to identify, and onboard qualified linguists. Working cross-functionally with scheduling, quality assurance, and compliance teams, the Linguist Recruiter ensures the consistent availability of professional linguists aligned with organizational standards and client needs.

Key Responsibilities

Linguist Recruitment & Onboarding

• Lead full-cycle recruitment efforts to attract and engage qualified freelance linguists in response to client language requirements and service area gaps.

• Regularly analyze linguist coverage data and language needs reports to guide recruitment priorities and optimize sourcing strategies.

• Source candidates through job boards, social media, industry events, professional linguist associations, and community organizations.

• Review linguist resumes to assess experience, credentials, and language proficiency.

• Conduct in-depth interviews to evaluate communication skills, cultural competency, and suitability for interpreting or translating.

• Administer or coordinate language proficiency assessments through approved evaluators.

• Negotiate linguist rates based on experience, market standards, and internal guidelines.

• Facilitate onboarding processes including orientation, systems access, and industry standards review.
  
  

Compliance & Documentation

• Collect and maintain all required documentation for newly contracted linguists, including signed agreements, certifications, proof of credentials, and compliance records.

• Coordinate and process background checks and federal exclusion verifications.

• Ensure accurate and organized records of all interpreter onboarding documents.
  
  

Strategic Recruitment & Process Improvement

• Monitor recruitment metrics and conversion rates to evaluate the effectiveness of sourcing methods and identify process improvements.

• Develop innovative strategies to recruit linguists for languages of limited diffusion (LLD) and hard-to-source regions.

• Work cross functionally to ensure linguist availability aligns with real-time service demands.

• Maintain a strong pipeline of linguist candidates for current and future needs.
  
  

Industry Engagement & Relationship Building

• Cultivate lasting relationships with linguists and prospective candidates to foster long-term engagement.

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with industry associations to stay connected with evolving standards, talent networks, and advocacy efforts.

• Develop relationships with community organizations across Oregon to promote the interpreting profession and cultivate interest in the field. 

• Stay informed on industry trends, credentialing requirements, and best practices in linguist sourcing and workforce development.

• Represent Linguava at industry events, job fairs, and community outreach initiatives.
  
  

Expanded Functions

• Support internal projects related to retention, workforce planning, and linguist engagement.

• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives aimed at improving linguist service quality and client satisfaction.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of full-cycle recruiting processes

• Working knowledge of linguist credentialing processes and standards in the language services industry

• Understanding of language access regulations

• Understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity in healthcare and community settings

• Familiarity with background screening procedures and contractor compliance best practices

• Basic understanding of labor laws and contractor classification requirements

• Awareness of interpreter training programs and educational pathways

• Experience with applicant tracking and workforce management systems.
  
  

Skills

• Talent pipeline management 

• Data-driven recruiting decisions

• Strong interpersonal, interviewing, and relationship-building skills

• Creative problem solving (especially for sourcing languages of limited diffusion)

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, and web-based recruiting tools

• Clear, professional verbal and written communication skills

• Event coordination for job fairs, recruiting events, or community outreach

• Social media sourcing and employer branding skils
  
  

Abilities

• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume recruiting environment.

• Work independently and collaboratively across departments.

• Remain calm and solutions-oriented in high-pressure situations.

• Build meaningful connections with candidates from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

• Travel locally and occasionally outside of Oregon for recruiting events and community engagement, as needed

• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and workforce demands
  
  

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in full-cycle recruitment, with a focus on high volume or specialized sourcing

• Preferred: 1+ year experience recruiting in the language services industry or within multicultural/multilingual communities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Communications, Business, or a related field – or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

• Demonstrated commitment to language access, cultural inclusion, and community impact.
  
  

Why Join Linguava?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization that makes a real impact in language access and healthcare.

• Work in a dynamic and growing company with a supportive and people-first culture.

• Competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive benefits.

• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
  
  

Linguava Interpreters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.