In 1986 human rights activists and mental health workers in Vancouver joined together to support an influx of refugees arriving from armed conflicts in South and Central America. Together, they founded the Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST), creating what would become Western Canada's refugee mental health hub. Today, VAST works with refugees from more than 100 countries. Our programs and services are offered in more than a dozen languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Spanish. We support the mental health of refugees who arrive in British Columbia with psychological trauma as a result of torture, political violence and other forms of persecution on the basis of race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.

We are looking for candidates for Interpreter positions in our Trauma Recovery & Torture Rehabilitation organization. We are open to all relevant languages, but specifically looking for Thai and Somali speaking candidates. We are looking for candidates with trauma-related education, training, experience (preferably working with forced migrants and refugees), and lived experience. Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

The role of the interpreter is to facilitate communication between VAST clients and VAST staff. This position reports to the Intake & Community Coordinator and the Clinical Supervisor.

Responsibilities: 

1. The interpreter must confine their role to interpretation only.
2. The interpreter must seek to debrief with a VAST counsellor or other designated staff member when required as a way to mitigate vicarious trauma
3. The interpreter agrees to keep firm boundaries with clients, including but not limited to the following points: (a) The interpreter will not give their cell phone number or personal email address to clients. If it is necessary to call a client outside the VAST office for appointment scheduling, the interpreter will use their VAST phone number or withhold their number using *67. (b) The interpreter will not agree to meet with a client outside of the VAST office, unless this is under exceptional circumstances agreed to with the VAST Clinical Supervisor and Executive Director. (c) The Interpreter agrees not to  interact with clients on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
4. The interpreter will check their VAST email account regularly and use it to send any correspondence related to VAST activities.
5. The interpreter will notify VAST if they have to call in sick or change their hours in any way.
6. If any incidents occur with a client or in the office in general, the interpreter will immediately notify the Executive Director and the Clinical Supervisor
7. Follow up with clients to book, change, re-book, or cancel appointments. Ensure to keep the Counsellor, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist informed
8. Train clients on zoom, google meet, skype, whatsapp, etc
9. Conduct interpretation for clinical sessions as booked, and for VAST groups as booked
10. Translate forms, posters, update documents and VAST Social Media posts in a timely manner
11. Perform other duties as requested

1. Fluency in both English and their native language
2. Experience with cross-cultural communication
3. Experience working with Trauma
4. At least 2 years experience in interpreting