ASL Interpreter for VR Services (Part-Time)

ServiceSource, Inc • Pensacola, FL

21h

About The Position

Make an impact by joining ServiceSource, a champion for people with disabilities. Explore new opportunities! ServiceSource is an organization of talented people who drive innovation, embrace change, and strengthen communities. This part-time position (20 hours per week) pays a contractual amount of $26.33 per hour. Primary Duties Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. These duties and responsibilities will be rated on the Annual Performance Review. Maintain activity records and calendars to document monthly the provision of interpreting services and other related series per the Program Director’s designated monthly form. Provide part-time interpreting services, as requested, for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff members who use interpreting services as an accommodation, with discretion to recuse self from sensitive meetings between staff member and supervisor. Maintain a current list of VR-approved vendor interpreters within the designated service area. Identifies, recruits, and assistants qualified interpreters to become new vendors for VR. Collaborate with the VR staff to provide applicants and consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind with communication access to all VR services deemed necessary for the VR process. Schedules or works jointly with assigned VR staff to arrange vendor interpreters when needed. Coordinate own interpreting services on a part-time basis. Additional Responsibilities Be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple, competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The employee must interact courteously with others. The employee’s performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance is an essential function of this position. The employee must make ethical decisions that comply with VR operational policies and procedures, ServiceSource operational policies and procedures, and with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf’s Code of Professional Conduct. Provide sign language interpreting services defined as the ability to interpret equivalent messages between spoken or written English and the following sign systems and language: American Sign Language, Signed English, and Contact Sign varieties. Interpreting may include ASL-English, oral, modified visual field, tactile, or protactile interpreting as needed both in person and virtually. Function as the information and referral person to VR staff and the general public regarding accessibility, accommodations, and interpreting services availability in the community. Conduct training on deaf awareness, sign language, and communication techniques in and out of the VR office for VR staff, employers, vendors, and other stakeholders as requested by VRC or Unit Supervisor(s). Participate fully as a member of the VR team for staff meetings, mentoring, and trainings; assists in securing vendor interpreter(s) for such meetings, if needed. Travels to provide services and provide consultation to various units, employers, and vendors within the designated area. Has access to reliable transportation. Engage in professional development to enhance quality and competency in interpreting, to utilize the best practices, and to be aware of professional trends. Maintain weekly contact with Abilities’ program manager to discuss the week’s successes/challenges, services rendered, and what is expected for the week ahead. Report in writing any situation that may have any substantial impact on ServiceSource. Comply with all ServiceSource policies and procedures. Maintain and demonstrate a positive, professional attitude at the workplace and while representing the organization in the general public. Assist the organization with annual and strategic planning. Review forms and reports, and confer with management and users about format, distribution, purpose, and to identify problems or improvements. Must maintain strictest confidentiality of information relating to consumer issues and/or assignments. Attend and participate in staff meetings as well as community committees and councils. Enter and maintain data in the ServiceSource database accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with the ServiceSource Service Delivery Manual. Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required.
• 3 years of interpreting experience in human services field required.
• A current interpreting membership in Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (Associate or Certified) required.
• Valid driver’s license and good motor vehicle record (MVR) required.
• A current credential in sign language interpreting from a nationally recognized organization (e.g., Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf [RID], National Boy’s Town Educational Interpreting Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) [minimum of 3.5 on the Secondary Stimulus Material], or Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) required.
• Recently lapsed sign language interpreter credential from list above (no more than 2 years old) AND Valid documentation that the applicant has arranged to take a qualified credential exam in the next 12 months.
• Three years’ documented experience successfully employed full-time as a VR staff interpreter required AND Valid documentation that the applicant has arranged to take a qualified credential exam in the next 12 months.
• Proficiency in American Sign Language and manually coded English.
• Knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing VR programs.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws that affect the provision of sign language interpreting services.
• Knowledge of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct and other professional mandates.
• Skill in analyzing communication modes as used by sign language users.
• Skill in the use of adaptive technology as used by individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf blind.
• Ability to interpret from and into the consumers’ preferred mode of communication.
• Ability to translate spoken and written English, including medical and technical information, into sign language.
• Ability to instruct others in basic sign language and communication tips and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
• Ability to navigate and mediate between in person and virtual/online interpreting platforms.
• Excellent written, verbal and communication skills and Reading comprehension skills.
• Knowledge of general office procedures.
• Demonstrate professional knowledge and experience in handling office routines including preparing special documents and reports involving confidential information.
• Knowledge and/or experience relative to office practices and procedures including intermediate computer skills and general office equipment.
• Ability to keep accurate records of policies and procedures; Ability to follow written and oral directions; Demonstrate ability to be self-motivated.
• Decision-making, problem-solving skills, organization and time management skills.
• Must be well organized and capable of handling multiple responsibilities and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work with a variety of consumers and professional groups.
• Capable of expanding skill-base through appropriate training.
• Basic knowledge of the independent living philosophy, movement, disability culture and disability related issues.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to function as a team player.
• Capable of maintaining strictest confidentiality of information relating to consumer files.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills for working with the people with disabilities.
• Facilitation and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain activity records and calendars to document monthly the provision of interpreting services and other related series per the Program Director’s designated monthly form.
• Provide part-time interpreting services, as requested, for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff members who use interpreting services as an accommodation, with discretion to recuse self from sensitive meetings between staff member and supervisor.
• Maintain a current list of VR-approved vendor interpreters within the designated service area.
• Identifies, recruits, and assistants qualified interpreters to become new vendors for VR.
• Collaborate with the VR staff to provide applicants and consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf-Blind with communication access to all VR services deemed necessary for the VR process.
• Schedules or works jointly with assigned VR staff to arrange vendor interpreters when needed.
• Coordinate own interpreting services on a part-time basis.
• Be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple, competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions.
• The employee must interact courteously with others.
• The employee’s performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position.
• The employee must make ethical decisions that comply with VR operational policies and procedures, ServiceSource operational policies and procedures, and with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf’s Code of Professional Conduct.
• Provide sign language interpreting services defined as the ability to interpret equivalent messages between spoken or written English and the following sign systems and language: American Sign Language, Signed English, and Contact Sign varieties.
• Interpreting may include ASL-English, oral, modified visual field, tactile, or protactile interpreting as needed both in person and virtually.
• Function as the information and referral person to VR staff and the general public regarding accessibility, accommodations, and interpreting services availability in the community.
• Conduct training on deaf awareness, sign language, and communication techniques in and out of the VR office for VR staff, employers, vendors, and other stakeholders as requested by VRC or Unit Supervisor(s).
• Participate fully as a member of the VR team for staff meetings, mentoring, and trainings; assists in securing vendor interpreter(s) for such meetings, if needed.
• Travels to provide services and provide consultation to various units, employers, and vendors within the designated area.
• Has access to reliable transportation.
• Engage in professional development to enhance quality and competency in interpreting, to utilize the best practices, and to be aware of professional trends.
• Maintain weekly contact with Abilities’ program manager to discuss the week’s successes/challenges, services rendered, and what is expected for the week ahead.
• Report in writing any situation that may have any substantial impact on ServiceSource.
• Comply with all ServiceSource policies and procedures.
• Maintain and demonstrate a positive, professional attitude at the workplace and while representing the organization in the general public.
• Assist the organization with annual and strategic planning.
• Review forms and reports, and confer with management and users about format, distribution, purpose, and to identify problems or improvements.
• Must maintain strictest confidentiality of information relating to consumer issues and/or assignments.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings as well as community committees and councils.
• Enter and maintain data in the ServiceSource database accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with the ServiceSource Service Delivery Manual.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Health coverage for you and your family through Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Financial protection with 100% company paid Disability, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.
• A 403(b)-Retirement plan in which the company matches dollar for dollar on a generous percentage matching up to 3% of your contribution.
• Tax advantages through Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts that allow you to pay for specific healthcare and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• To help you manage your work and life needs, we offer an Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Program, and Tuition Assistance.
• A generous paid time-off program in which the benefits increase based on your tenure with the company.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED