ASL Staff Interpreters (3, PT with Benefits)

Staff Interpreter, ASL - American Sign Language (Part-Time, 22.5 hrs) - (2400074N)

Description

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks dynamic Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, offering three part-time positions (.6 FTE) with benefits for statewide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. The ideal candidates will interpret spoken and written content into ASL and vice versa for staff, clients, providers, employers, and the public, both on-site and via remote platforms. Assignments may be statewide or regional, and collaboration with other interpreters for comprehensive service coverage may be required.

In these roles, interpreters will coordinate services to ensure effective communication access and may be involved in producing materials such as VLOGs, as appropriate. They will receive direct supervision from the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Operations. Interpreters are expected to operate within DDS’s learning and participatory performance culture, emphasizing high performance, individual impact, and team contribution while actively supporting and promoting agency activities.

At DDS, we value high performance, individual impact, and teamwork, and are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and inclusive environment!

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

• Interpret/transliterate for DDS’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff and clients in various situations to ensure equal communication access.
• Assess the communication access needs of requests; negotiate for optimum conditions; use professional discretion to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure appropriate skills and knowledge for each situation.
• Deliver interpreting/transliteration services to agency staff, clients/consumers, providers, employers, and the public; use languages most readily understood by service users.
• Confer with fellow interpreters when working as a team; share joint responsibility for the message.
• Demonstrate proficiency with remote video conferencing platforms used by DDS and sister agencies.
• Coordinate interpreting and CART services for staff and clients upon request in partnership with Communication Access schedulers.
• Collaborate with the Interpreter Supervisor/Manager to evaluate needs and gather necessary information.
• Schedule interpreters or CART services if unable to provide service directly; use available resources, including DDS staff interpreter team and MCDHH interpreter referral service.
• Address service requests within 2 working days or as early as the schedule allows; identify and communicate backup plans to ensure timely response.
• Maintain records of interpreting and CART services provided; organize records of each provider assigned to a request; submit records to the authorizing staff member.
• Process receipt of interpreter invoices or follow up if no invoice is received within 60 days; investigate discrepancies between records and payment vouchers; verify accuracy; forward payment vouchers to fiscal staff within 5 business days.
• Act as liaison between vendors and DDS, elevating inquiries when necessary.
• Engage with staff across divisions and external stakeholders to provide quality services; participate in reflective practice with colleagues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders such as MCDHH Interpreter Referral Services, contracted providers, DDS staff, employers, and vendors.
• Contribute to policy and planning discussions locally, regionally, and statewide with other DDS Deaf Services providers; assist in creating trainings and materials for clients, staff, and vendors.
• Pursue ongoing professional development relevant to the interpreting field; attend trainings to enhance skills and respond to the evolving needs of the community and DDS.
• Disseminate acquired skills and knowledge to other staff interpreters and Deaf Services staff locally, regionally, and at Statewide Deaf Services meetings.
• Foster respectful and harmonious working relationships; interact professionally with staff, consumers, and other stakeholders; uphold DDS core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Support the production of VLOGs to ensure DDS materials and announcements are accessible; work with DDS staff, sister agencies, and others to develop VLOGs and scripts.
• Participate in mentorship opportunities to promote workforce development; provide interns with opportunities to observe and practice interpreter skills.
• Offer guidance and training for staff, providers, and other stakeholders regarding communication access; perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Expertise in both formal and informal registers of English and American Sign Language.
• Familiarity with the Code of Ethics established by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
• Proficiency in specialized vocabularies for English and American Sign Languages, including technical, medical, and scientific terminology.
• Understanding of cultural and historical references in both Deaf and hearing cultures.
• Knowledge of the effect of deafness on the linguistic, social, cultural, and developmental aspects of deaf people.
• Capability to perform simultaneous and consecutive interpretation; skill in using gestures and other non-verbal communication methods to effectively convey messages.
• Competence in maintaining accurate records; ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
• Self-sufficiency in working independently; flexibility to adapt to varying work situations, accommodating different settings and requirements as needed.
• Discretion in handling confidential information and ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Tact in dealing with others; skill in building rapport with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Knowledge of and adherence to laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Skill in preparing general reports, documenting activities, and presenting information clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who have physical, emotional, psychiatric, or other disabilities, offering appropriate support and services.
• Capability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Expertise in providing remote interpreting services using commonly used video conferencing platforms.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing DDS activities.
• Familiarity with the types and uses of agency forms.
• Understanding of the organizational structure and functions of DDS.

 About the Department of Developmental Services

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports.

 The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.