Interpreter Guide
Table of Contents​
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1. Welcome to Mosaico
We are truly glad you are here and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you.
At Mosaico, we believe in working collaboratively and building respectful, professional relationships with the interpreters we partner with. The work you do matters, and the trust placed in interpreters within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is something we take seriously.
We believe interpreting is about more than translating words. It is about presence, care, and connection. Each assignment brings its own context and expectations, and we value the thoughtfulness and professionalism you bring into your work.
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Mosaico aims to support interpreters as trusted professionals, not just as service providers. We strive to communicate clearly, coordinate thoughtfully, and create working relationships that feel sustainable and respectful.
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This Interpreter Guide exists to support that collaboration. It is meant to offer clarity around how we work together while honoring your independence as an interpreter. Our hope is that it feels like a resource you can rely on, not a rigid set of rules.
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We are grateful for the care you bring to your work and look forward to building strong, professional working relationships together.
Sincerely,
Mosaico Interpreting Company
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2. Independent Contractor Relationship
Interpreters working with Mosaico Interpreting Company do so as independent contractors, not as employees.
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As an independent contractor, you maintain control over how you perform interpreting services, consistent with professional standards and ethical guidelines. You choose which assignments to accept or decline, and there is no guarantee of a minimum number of assignments.
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Interpreters working with Mosaico may work with other agencies or clients. Nothing in this Guide is intended to limit that independence.
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Mosaico’s role is to coordinate assignments, communicate expectations specific to each request, and support access needs for clients and communities. This Guide is meant to provide clarity around how we work together, not to direct how interpreting itself is performed.
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Any legal terms governing the independent contractor relationship are outlined in the Independent Contractor Agreement. This Guide is not a contract and does not replace or modify that agreement.
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3. Types of Assignments
Mosaico coordinates interpreting and accessibility services across a range of settings. Assignments may include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Educational and Post Secondary
Assignments in K–12, colleges, universities, and other educational environments. This may include classrooms, meetings, campus events, and academic programming.
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Medical
Healthcare related assignments such as clinics, hospitals, inpatient and outpatient services. These settings may involve additional confidentiality, preparation, or credential requirements.
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Legal Consultative
Assignments involving legal matters outside of formal court proceedings. These may include attorney meetings, case preparation, law enforcement interactions, immigration consultations, court mandated programs, and other legal related environments requiring confidentiality and subject matter familiarity.
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Legal Proceedings
Assignments occurring within formal adjudicative environments where a legal record may be created and outcomes may carry legal consequences. These settings require familiarity with legal protocol, terminology, and neutrality expectations, and may involve additional preparation or demonstrated legal interpreting experience.
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Examples include depositions, court hearings, trials, arbitration, administrative hearings, sentencing or motion hearings, immigration hearings and naturalization proceedings, and other formal legal processes. Classification is based on the formal nature of the setting and whether interpretation supports an official legal record.
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Performance Interpreting
Live performances such as concerts, theater, festivals, and other artistic spaces. Performance assignments may involve preparation, rehearsals, staging considerations, or flat rate compensation agreed upon in advance.
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Platform and Conference
Conferences, panels, large meetings, and platform based events that may require team interpreting, extended duration work, or advanced coordination.
Trilingual Interpreting
Assignments requiring interpretation across three languages, commonly ASL, English, and Spanish, and requiring appropriate linguistic and cultural fluency.
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Community Interpreting
Community based assignments in civic, nonprofit, professional, or public settings that do not fall into the categories above.
Certain assignments may be governed by written assignment-specific terms or addenda communicated prior to confirmation.
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4. Compensation Framework
Base Rates
Interpreters establish their own base hourly rate. Mosaico does not set base rates. Rates are discussed and agreed upon during the onboarding process.
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A two hour minimum generally applies to hourly assignments when applicable. Any exceptions will be communicated prior to assignment confirmation.
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Premiums and Differentials
Premiums may be offered on a per-assignment basis depending on assignment type, timing, duration, language needs, or other requirements. Any applicable premiums are communicated and agreed upon prior to assignment confirmation. Premiums are applied to the interpreter’s established base rate and are not standalone rates.
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Examples of premiums that may apply include, but are not limited to:
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Out of business hours (5:00 pm–8:00 am) and weekends: +$10 per hour
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Trilingual assignments: +$10 per hour
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Medical assignments: +$5 per hour
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Hourly performance interpreting: +$10 per hour
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Legal Consultative +$15 per hour
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Legal Proceedings +$25 per hour
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Recorded/Live Streamed (recorded) +$10 per hour
Premiums may be updated periodically. Contractors will be notified of material changes.
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Virtual Assignments
Virtual and VRI assignments follow the same base rate and premium structure as in person work, unless otherwise specified. Minimums apply unless otherwise specified.
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Flat Rate Performance Assignments
Some performance assignments are compensated at a flat rate. Flat rates are discussed and agreed upon on a per assignment basis prior to confirmation.
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Travel and Parking
Travel, mileage, or parking reimbursement may be offered when applicable and will be communicated prior to confirmation.
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5. Payment and Invoicing
Invoices must be submitted by the interpreter through the designated invoicing system (currently Gridcheck) after assignments are completed.
Payments are typically processed within approximately thirty (30) days of invoice submission, in accordance with Mosaico’s then-current payment policies. Payment timing may be affected by client payment cycles or administrative processing requirements.
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Payments are issued via ACH direct deposit using the payment information provided during onboarding. Interpreters are responsible for ensuring their payment details remain current.
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Alternative payment methods may be used in limited circumstances if arranged in advance.
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6. Cancellations and Givebacks
Client Cancellations
For hourly assignments, full compensation is typically provided for cancellations made within 48 business hours of the scheduled start time.
Performance, legal, and platform assignments may have different cancellation terms, which are discussed and agreed upon prior to confirmation.
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In cases of force majeure or circumstances beyond the Company’s control, full compensation may not be possible. Reasonable notice will be provided when feasible.
Interpreter Cancellations
If you need to cancel an accepted assignment, notify Mosaico as soon as possible via phone, text, or video call using the contact information provided in your assignment confirmation or on the Mosaico website.
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If notifying Mosaico of an inability to complete an assignment, interpreters may suggest a potential replacement for consideration. Any substitute must be approved and engaged directly by Mosaico to ensure appropriate qualifications and fit.
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7. Professional Standards
Punctuality
As a general professional practice, many interpreters choose to arrive approximately 10–15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This allows time for parking, locating the correct space, checking in, and being fully prepared to begin interpreting at the scheduled start time.
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Assignments are scheduled for a defined duration. Interpreters typically remain for the scheduled duration unless dismissed early by the client. If an assignment ends early, notifying Mosaico when possible is appreciated.
Performance or platform assignments may require different arrival times, which will be communicated in advance.
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If you anticipate being late, please contact Mosaico as soon as possible. Compensation may be adjusted to reflect actual time worked.
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Dress and Conduct
Attire should align with the assignment setting and any client specific expectations communicated in advance.
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Interpreters are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while representing Mosaico Interpreting Company. This includes arriving fit to perform interpreting services and maintaining the ability to interpret safely, accurately, and responsibly throughout the assignment.
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Interpreters must adhere to applicable RID and NAD ethical standards, as well as all relevant laws, venue policies, and safety requirements.
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8. Communication and Reporting
Interpreters are responsible for promptly reporting:
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Client cancellations
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Schedule changes
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Issues or incidents that occur during assignments
Time sensitive matters should be communicated via phone, text, or video call. Non urgent matters may be communicated via email.
Clear and timely communication helps ensure proper documentation, coordination, and resolution.
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9. Updates to This Guide
This Interpreter Guide may be updated periodically to reflect operational changes, new services, or evolving best practices.
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This Guide is not a contract and does not alter the terms of any Independent Contractor Agreement.
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Contractors will be notified of material updates. The most current version of the Guide will always apply.