Translator/ Junior Translator

Position Summary

We are seeking a translator to undertake translation work of both Chinese documents into English and English documents into Chinese (both simplified and traditional). The translation work will be expected to be in a manner where people reading the translation are unable to tell that the document is not in its original language.

Key Accountabilities

• Read through original materials and rewrite into Chinese or English, ensuring that the style and meaning of the source text is retained

• Ensure the translations are precise and consistent, with the firms style in communication

• Use specialist dictionaries, thesauruses and reference books to find the closest equivalents for terminology and words used

• Research legal and technical phraseology to find the correct translation

• Proofread and edit final translated versions of documents

• Provide a grammatically correct, well-expressed final version of the translated text, usually as a word-processed document

• Use the internet and email as research tools throughout the translation process;

• Prioritise competing work in order to meet deadlines;

• Team player and able to communicate with all levels of stakeholders.

Qualifications

Essential

• Holds a recognised qualification in translation (certificate or degree).

• At least 2 years of translation experience within a professional services firm

• Familiar with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools in which a computer database of previously translated sentences or segments (Translation Memories) may be used to translate new text.

• Ability to annotate PDF documents

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a law firm

• Previous experience / knowledge in using Indesign/Illustrator for text or basis edits, i.e. (fonts, colouring, size, positioning, etc)

• Able to perform simultaneous translations for Mandarin to English or vice versa

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to speak, read, and write fluently in English; ability to read and write/type both simplified and traditional Chinese characters, as well as speak fluent Mandarin

• Ability to produce simplified Chinese translations targeting mainland Chinese readers without using expressions/ phrases / terms from Hong Kong SAR or Taiwan Chinese that may confuse the target audience

• Ability to write sentences that maintain or duplicate the structure and style of the original meaning while keeping the ideas and facts of the original meaning accurate

• Ability to properly transmit any cultural references, including slang, and other expressions that do not translate literally, in both English and Chinese

• Experience working on medium / large project teams, involving large document translations

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

• Pro-active, solution-oriented, analytic approach to problems

• Strong focus on quality

• Strong work ethic

Performance Indicators

• Timely completion of documents requiring translation, while maintaining firm style, and retaining original meaning of the course text

• Collaborative and respectful working relationship with everyone of the firm.

• Effective verbal and written communication with team members and members of other teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity

King & Wood Mallesons requires all partners and staff to maintain an awareness of the firms policies and procedures on Equal Employment Opportunity.

Standard Clause

This position description is a general guide to the position the employee holds and may change from time to time.

King & Wood Mallesons requires partners and staff to maintain a professional standard of dress, appearance and behaviour during work and at work related functions.

Note: we do not accept agency referral for this role.