NLS-006564

National Language Services LLC · California, United States

California Professional Interpreter | In-Person, VRI & OPI

Think Beyond Interpreting. Think Growth. Think Leadership. Build your career with National Language Services. NLS is seeking experienced California-based interpreters for In-Person, VRI, and OPI opportunities. Earn competitive compensation, build your professional performance record, advance through the NLS Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Tier 3 career pathway, and increase your earning potential as you qualify for advancement. Exceptional performers may also be considered for future leadership, recruiting, management, quality assurance, and operations opportunities. Minimum 2 years of professional interpreting experience required.

Salary badge: $30+ per hourCalifornia, United States English

English11 minAvailable until Sep 15, 2026

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About National Language Services

National Language Services provides professional language-access services supporting government, legal, healthcare, administrative, business, and community environments.

Our services include:

• In-Person Interpreting • Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) • Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) • Legal and Administrative Hearing Interpretation • Medical and Healthcare Interpretation • American Sign Language (ASL) • Document Translation • Sight Translation • Other professional language-access services

NLS is building a strong statewide network of language professionals who value quality, professionalism, reliability, flexibility, career development, and long-term growth.

Position Overview

NLS is seeking California-based professional interpreters with a minimum of two years of professional interpreting experience.

Depending on language, geographic location, qualifications, certifications, availability, client requirements, and assignment demand, interpreters may support:

• Government agencies • Legal and administrative proceedings • Court-related assignments • Healthcare and medical encounters • Business and corporate environments • Community organizations • In-Person Interpreting • Video Remote Interpreting • Over-the-Phone Interpreting • Sight Translation • Document Translation

Assignment volume varies based on language demand, geographic coverage, qualifications, availability, client requirements, and performance.

Compensation and Earning Opportunities

NLS offers competitive compensation based on qualifications, experience, certifications, language, modality, assignment type, geographic location, and applicable client requirements.

Potential Compensation: Approximately $20 to $65 Per Hour

Exact compensation depends on the interpreter's approved qualifications and the applicable assignment.

Certain in-person assignments may include minimum payable assignment periods. Eligible mileage, parking, tolls, or other authorized travel expenses may also be reimbursable for qualifying assignments under applicable NLS policies.

Most importantly, your starting rate does not necessarily represent the limit of your earning potential with NLS.

As you successfully complete qualifying assignments, demonstrate strong performance, and advance through the NLS tier structure, you may become eligible for higher applicable compensation and more advanced opportunities.

The NLS Career Path

TIER 1 → TIER 2 → TIER 3 → LEADERSHIP EVALUATION → POTENTIAL NLS LEADERSHIP

NLS believes strong performance should create opportunities for professional growth.

Our tier pathway is designed to recognize interpreters who consistently demonstrate quality, reliability, professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment to NLS standards.

Tier 1: Qualified Professional Interpreter

Tier 1 is the starting qualification level for interpreters who satisfy applicable NLS requirements.

Applicants for this California opportunity must have a minimum of two years of professional interpreting experience.

Tier 1 interpreters begin establishing their NLS performance record while completing assignments appropriate to their language, qualifications, geographic location, availability, and client requirements.

Complete 10 Qualifying Assignments → Become Eligible for Tier 2 Advancement Review

Successful completion means more than simply attending an assignment. NLS considers quality, punctuality, reliability, professionalism, responsiveness, compliance with instructions, ethical conduct, and applicable client feedback.

Upon approval for Tier 2, the interpreter may become eligible for the applicable higher Tier 2 compensation level and additional opportunities.

Tier 2: Qualified and Experienced Professional Interpreter

Tier 2 recognizes interpreters who have established a successful NLS performance history and demonstrated consistent professionalism.

Tier 2 interpreters may become eligible for more advanced assignments and increased applicable compensation based on their qualifications and assignment requirements.

Complete 10 Additional Qualifying Assignments → Become Eligible for Tier 3 Advancement Review

Interpreters must continue maintaining satisfactory performance and applicable qualification requirements.

Upon approval, the interpreter may advance to Tier 3, the highest interpreter tier within this career pathway.

Tier 3: Advanced Professional Interpreter

Tier 3 represents the highest interpreter tier within the NLS career pathway.

Tier 3 is designed for experienced, high-performing professionals who have demonstrated exceptional reliability, quality, professionalism, and commitment to NLS standards.

Depending on qualifications and assignment requirements, Tier 3 may include highly experienced interpreters as well as appropriately certified or credentialed court, legal, hearing, medical, government, ASL, or other specialized language professionals.

Qualified Tier 3 interpreters may become eligible for the highest applicable interpreter compensation levels available for qualifying assignments under the applicable NLS compensation structure.

But reaching Tier 3 does not necessarily mean you have reached the end of your career path with NLS.

It may be the beginning of something bigger.

What Happens After Tier 3?

From Professional Interpreter to Potential NLS Leader

High-performing interpreters who reach the highest applicable Tier 3 level and establish an exceptional performance record may be invited to participate in a one-on-one leadership evaluation with a member of the NLS Leadership Team.

This evaluation goes beyond interpreting ability.

NLS may evaluate:

• Your NLS performance history • Interpretation quality • Reliability and attendance • Professionalism • Communication • Accountability • Client feedback, when available • Leadership ability • Initiative and problem-solving • Recruiting ability • Operational knowledge • Ability to build and manage teams • Business-development potential • Ideas for improving NLS • Your professional vision • The measurable value you can bring to the organization

Following the evaluation, NLS may consider the interpreter for an appropriate ongoing compensation level and, where appropriate, additional responsibilities or a leadership opportunity.

Reaching Tier 3 does not automatically guarantee a leadership position. Leadership opportunities depend on performance, qualifications, company needs, available opportunities, and NLS approval.

Think Beyond Interpreting

NLS is particularly interested in professionals who have the ambition and ability to grow beyond interpreting.

Potential future opportunities may include:

• Lead Interpreter • Interpreter Coordinator • Recruiter or Talent Acquisition • Scheduling and Assignment Coordination • Team Lead • Training and Quality Assurance • District Manager • Regional Manager • Operations Management • Business Development • Client and Account Management • Other management and leadership opportunities

If you have leadership experience or believe you can bring additional value to NLS, tell us during your interview.

NLS Leadership Recruitment Override Opportunity

Certain approved NLS leaders may also have opportunities to recruit, support, and develop qualified interpreters for the NLS network.

Under the current NLS leadership program, an approved leader may be eligible for a:

$3 Leadership Override Per Qualifying Assignment

The override may apply to qualifying assignments completed by interpreters personally recruited by that approved leader, subject to applicable NLS leadership program requirements, continued eligibility, and qualifying assignment rules.

This potential compensation is separate from the leader's own interpreting compensation.

Leadership participation and override eligibility are not automatically granted to every interpreter. They require separate qualification and NLS approval.

Your Potential NLS Journey

Start as a Professional Interpreter

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Build an Excellent Performance Record

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Advance From Tier 1 to Tier 2

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Increase Your Earning Potential

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Advance From Tier 2 to Tier 3

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Reach the Highest Interpreter Tier

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Participate in a Potential Leadership Evaluation

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Advance Into an Approved NLS Leadership Role

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Build Teams, Recruit Talent and Potentially Earn Leadership Overrides

Bring Us a Vision, Not Just a Resume

If you are interested in leadership, we want to know what you can actually bring to NLS.

What is your vision?

What value can you create?

What would you improve?

What kind of team could you build?

How could you help NLS grow?

What is your plan?

How would you execute that plan?

Where do you see yourself with NLS in the future?

NLS is interested in people who can think, plan, execute, lead, and produce measurable results.

If you have a leadership mindset, be prepared to discuss your ideas, professional goals, experience, and vision during your interview.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Currently reside in California • Have a minimum of two years of professional interpreting experience • Be at least 18 years of age • Be legally authorized to work or provide contracted services in the United States, as applicable • Demonstrate professional proficiency in English and at least one additional language • Demonstrate strong verbal communication skills • Understand interpreter ethics, confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy, and professional role boundaries • Be dependable, punctual, responsive, and professional • Follow applicable NLS and client instructions • Maintain appropriate professional conduct • Have reliable communication capabilities • Have appropriate internet and technology access for applicable remote assignments • Provide documentation supporting experience, credentials, certifications, or qualifications when required

Applicants with less than two years of professional interpreting experience do not meet the minimum experience requirement for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

NLS strongly encourages applications from professionals with:

• Court certification • Court qualification or prequalification • Legal or administrative hearing experience • Medical or healthcare interpreting experience • Government interpreting experience • Professional interpreter certifications • ASL credentials or certifications • VRI experience • OPI experience • Translation or sight translation experience • Specialized terminology experience • Leadership or management experience • Recruiting experience • Training or quality-assurance experience

Formal certification is not required for every assignment. Qualified interpreters may be considered for assignments that do not require a particular certification, subject to applicable NLS and client requirements.

Quality Matters at NLS

Tier advancement is based on more than completing assignments. Quality matters.

NLS interpreters are expected to demonstrate accuracy, professionalism, confidentiality, impartiality, cultural competency, punctuality, reliability, responsiveness, and ethical conduct.

Accepting an assignment represents a professional commitment.

Interpreters are expected to arrive or connect on time, remain prepared, follow applicable instructions, communicate professionally, and promptly report material issues affecting service delivery.

Repeated lateness, missed assignments, quality concerns, unprofessional conduct, confidentiality violations, or failure to follow applicable requirements may affect future assignments and tier advancement.

Every Assignment Can Help Build Your Future

Your NLS performance record may influence:

• Tier advancement • Applicable compensation • Eligibility for advanced assignments • Future assignment opportunities • Leadership consideration • Recruiting opportunities • Management consideration • Additional responsibilities • Long-term professional opportunities

NLS wants exceptional professionals to have a reason to perform, develop, advance, and grow.

Flexible Opportunities

Depending on qualifications, availability, language, location, and client requirements, opportunities may include:

In-Person Interpreting: Government facilities, legal environments, hearings, healthcare settings, businesses, community locations, and other client sites.

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Professional video-based interpreting through approved technology platforms.

Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI): Telephone-based interpreting for eligible assignments and clients.

Qualified interpreters may participate in one or multiple modalities based on their capabilities and applicable assignment requirements.

Are You Ready for More Than Your Next Assignment?

If you are simply looking for professional interpreting opportunities, NLS may have opportunities for you based on business needs.

But if you want to build experience, increase your earning potential, advance through professional tiers, demonstrate leadership, build teams, and potentially become part of the future leadership of NLS, we especially want to hear from you.

Think Beyond Interpreting.

Think Growth.

Think Leadership.

Think Long Term.

Bring your language skills.

Bring your experience.

Bring your professionalism.

Bring your ideas.

Bring your leadership ability.

Most importantly, bring a vision for the value you can create.

Important Terms

Completion of an interview does not guarantee onboarding, assignments, minimum working hours, assignment volume, a specific compensation rate, tier advancement, promotion, leadership appointment, overrides, incentives, or any other particular opportunity.

The 10 qualifying assignment milestones establish eligibility for advancement review. They do not automatically guarantee promotion to the next tier.

Tier advancement and compensation remain subject to satisfactory performance, applicable qualifications, documentation, client requirements, NLS policies, business needs, and NLS approval.

Leadership opportunities, overrides, incentives, and additional compensation programs require separate qualification and approval and are subject to applicable program terms.

Build Your Career With National Language Services

Your first opportunity with NLS may be as an interpreter.

Your performance can build your record.

Your record can create advancement opportunities.

Advancement can increase your earning potential.

Your leadership ability can open an entirely different career path.

Interpreter → Tier Advancement → Increased Earning Potential → Tier 3 → Leadership Evaluation → Potential NLS Leadership

If you are a California-based interpreter with at least two years of professional interpreting experience and you have the quality, professionalism, ambition, and vision to grow, we encourage you to complete the NLS interview.

Do not just look for your next assignment. Build your career.

National Language Services is building for the future, and we are looking for exceptional professionals who want to build that future with us.

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