Interpreters For The Deaf - Contractor

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Worcester, MA

22h

About The Position

The Department of Mental Health is hiring a Contracted Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to interpret spoken or written content into signed content and signed content into spoken or written content. The interpreter works with Deaf staff in their interactions with agency staff, clients and consumers, service providers, colleagues, community members, and other stakeholders. Services are provided in person and remotely, and may include identifying and scheduling freelance interpreters to ensure communication access at the local, regional, or statewide level. This is a temporary, part-time contract for 20 hours per week, for a 12-month period, renewable subject to appropriation and departmental approval. The schedule includes Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with variable Wednesday hours based on scheduled meetings. On the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, hours are split between a remote Microsoft Teams meeting from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and an afternoon shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Other Wednesdays are 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Scheduled days off are Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday. Benefits are unavailable except for sick leave accruals. The position requires professional, ethical interpretation and transliteration for meetings, conversations, training, supervision, interviews, and other events. The interpreter collaborates with fellow interpreters and the Deaf Service Program Coordinator, keeps scheduling information current, supports interns and new interpreters, and maintains current knowledge of Deaf and hard-of-hearing topics, technology, and interpreting practices. The role is based at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, and may require travel for work-related assignments.

Requirements

Be available to work 20 hours per week as needed.
Be able to travel for work-related assignments and/or have reliable access to transportation.
Maintain required certification or licensure throughout the period of employment.
Be able to perform simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
Be able to work independently and in a team setting.
Be able to establish rapport with people from different ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds and deal tactfully with others.
Have experience using technology required for the job, including tools for remote work such as Zoom, Outlook calendar, and Teams.
Be proficient in Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Outlook, and other software programs.
Be flexible and willing to work with an ever-changing schedule.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience providing interpretation and/or transliteration services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Knowledge of formal and informal registers of English, American Sign Language, and other signed communication, such as PSE and Contact Sign.
Bilingual or multilingual fluency in languages other than ASL and English.
Knowledge of specialized vocabularies, such as technical, medical, or scientific terminology, in both English and ASL.
Bachelor’s degree from an Interpreter Training Program.
Certification by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or an equivalent interpreter certification judged by MCDHH, or proof of successful screening through MCDHH.
Advanced certification or successful completion of training in the Mental Health specialty area.
Familiarity with mental health conditions or experience working in behavioral health settings.
Excellent written, oral, and digital communication skills.
Knowledge of Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
Strong understanding of the Code of Ethics established by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.

Responsibilities

Provide in-person and remote interpreting and transliteration services to agency staff, clients and consumers, providers, employers, and members of the public, as appropriate.
Interpret or translate meetings, conversations, training sessions, supervision, interviews, and other requested events using languages most readily understood by service users.
Maintain professional standards in accordance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct.
Confer with fellow interpreters when working as a team and share joint responsibility for the message.
Review relevant materials before providing interpreting services when possible.
Participate in reflective practice with colleagues to support ethical, linguistic, and cultural competency.
Keep current on Deaf and hard-of-hearing topics and technology.
Share skills and knowledge with contracted interpreters and Deaf staff locally, regionally, and at Statewide Deaf Services meetings.
Interpret staff and public announcements, including those by the Commissioner, when requested and scheduling permits.
Interpret at DMH special events when requested in advance and scheduling permits.
Under the direction of the Deaf Service Program Coordinator, provide interns opportunities to observe and practice interpreter skills in a mental health setting and help train new interpreters in DMH and case-management settings.
Work with the Deaf Service Program Coordinator to keep the MS Outlook calendar up to date.
Schedule blocks of time for interpreting services according to staff requirements and team availability.
Identify scheduling conflicts and help meet short-notice or last-minute requests.
Identify when a freelance interpreter is needed to meet teaming and scheduling needs.