Translation and Language Access Specialist

Overview

Who We Are:

For 140 years, National Louis University has been driven by one core belief: education changes lives. Since our founding, we've stayed grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity, and we've never wavered from the idea that education is the greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community built on continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to serving those we teach. Through education, we empower change and build stronger, healthier communities. Our hard-working team runs on collaboration and mutual respect, for one another and for every student we serve.

What You Will Do:

The Early Child Education and Care Translation and Language Access Specialist in the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood is responsible for providing accurate, culturally responsive, and neutral Spanish translations of MIEC curriculum, professional learning materials, communications, and organizational resources. This role ensures that Spanish-speaking Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals and constituents can meaningfully access and engage with MIEC’s work. The Translator preserves instructional intent, professional tone, and organizational voice while producing translations that are broadly accessible across diverse Spanish-speaking countries and dialects.

Please note, that while this position can potentially work remotely, we are currently only able to employ individuals residing in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Essential Responsibilities

Translation of Curriculum and Professional Learning Materials

• Translate ECEC curriculum content, instructional guides, training modules, professional learning materials, and educator-facing resources between English and Spanish.
• Ensure translations preserve instructional accuracy, pedagogical intent, and clarity for adult learners and early childhood professionals.
• Produce neutral Spanish translations that are accessible to educators from a wide range of Spanish-speaking backgrounds.
• Develop, adapt, and maintain high-quality translations of educational content within the Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring accuracy, clarity, and cultural relevance.
• Collaborate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to align translations with course objectives and learner needs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve language-related display or formatting issues across PL content/media types.
• Support continuous improvement by providing feedback on content localization and user experience across Spanish language content.

Translation of MIEC Communications and Organizational Materials

• Translate MIEC communications, reports, tools, policies, correspondence, and public-facing materials.
• Ensure consistency with MIEC’s organizational voice, terminology, and mission.
• Adapt language as needed to maintain clarity and accessibility for broad Spanish-speaking audiences.

Editing, Proofreading, and Quality Assurance

• Edit and proofread translated curriculum and communication materials for accuracy, clarity, tone, and grammatical correctness.
• Ensure translations are free of region-specific slang or idiomatic language that could limit comprehension.
• Review translated content for consistency with established terminology, style guidance, and instructional standards.

Cultural and Linguistic Adaptation

• Apply culturally responsive and inclusive language practices across curriculum and communications.
• Make informed linguistic decisions to balance neutrality, professionalism, and audience relevance.
• Support equitable language access for Spanish-speaking ECEC professionals and partners.

Collaboration, Terminology Management, and Workflow Support

• Collaborate with curriculum developers, communications staff, and subject matter experts to clarify meaning and intent.
• Develop and maintain glossaries and style guidance supporting neutral Spanish and early childhood terminology.
• Track translation requests, deadlines, and version control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Translation, Linguistics, Early Childhood Education, Spanish, English, or related field or equivalent.

• Professional Translation certification (American Translators Association (ATA) or equivalent.

• Native or near-native proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish

• Three plus years (3+yrs) demonstrated work experience translating curriculum or training materials for adult learners as either a Curriculum Translator (English/Spanish), Educational Content Translator, Instructional Materials, Translator, or Professional Learning Content Translator.

• Three plus (3+) years experience using translation software or Computer Assistant Tools (CAT) tools (e.g., Trados, memoQ), Microsoft Office and document collaboration tools in a work environment, as well as working directly in Learning Management Systems to build/translate Spanish content.

• One plus (1+) year demonstrated work experience supporting language access, equity, or workforce development initiatives

• One plus (1+) year demonstrated work experience in Early Childhood Education, Adult Learning, Higher Education, or related field.

Work Environment/Physical Demands/Travel Requirements:

This is a remote position, with travel to Chicago, Illinois for Leadership Connections and McCormick Institute Annual Meeting(s). 

Please note, that while this position can potentially work remotely, we are currently only able to employ individuals residing in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

Compensation and Benefits

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time staff benefits can be found here.

The salary range of the grade for this position is $53,136 to $77,047 annually.  Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity. 

Application Instructions

Please Include the following along with your application:

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Current NLU employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form