Job Description

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is actively recruiting a Part-time (22.5 hours per week) Designated Interpreter to the MCDHH Commissioner. You will provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting/English services in this capacity. The Designated Interpreter is expected to support the Commission’s growth and advancement through positive and respectful interactions and relationships with agency heads, elected officials, staff, and individuals and entities in the community. The successful candidate accepts responsibility for knowledge of and adherence to the ethics of interpreting and the role of the interpreter, with particular emphasis applied to maintaining confidentiality. You must be flexible in an evolving work environment while primarily interpreting for the Commissioner at Commissioner level meetings and legislative hearings. You may also provide advanced interpretation in emergency situations that the Commissioner may be involved in or assigned. In addition, you may also provide a wide range of interpretation services for deaf and hard of hearing staff members by telephone, Teams or Zoom conversations, in-service training, staff and/or client meetings, and as assigned by Interpreter Referral Specialists in the executive and legislative branches of government.

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

• Respond innovatively to communication and accessibility requests/needs.
• Translates messages, live speeches, voice recordings, and documents into English and/or ASL, with careful attention to providing proper context, meaning, tone, and technical wording.
• Honors professionally established ethical codes to ensure sensitive and confidential information remains secure and protected.
• Research technological advances and evolving best practices to improve accessibility for the Commissioner. Find solutions to growth opportunities and assist in implementing those solutions.
• Utilizes resources to remain educated and current with the meaning of words and phrases and the climate/status of issues impacting deaf and hard-of-hearing people on a state and national level.
• Document changes to translated materials and maintain an orderly method for filing data for reference later.
• Create recorded translations of documents for the Commissioner’s communication in cooperation with the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and appropriate agency staff.
• Advocate on accessibility-related issues among internal and external stakeholders/agencies, as directed by the Commissioner.
• Manage their calendar and time to meet the needs of the Commissioner and Executive Team.
• Support the Commissioner on initiatives relating to Accessibility and Language Equity.
• Provide highly technical interpreting services for deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened, and hearing persons who may also be in court and legal settings.
• Provide interpreting services as assigned by Interpreter Referral Specialists in the executive and legislative branches of government.
• Coordinate the schedule with Interpreter Referral Staff to provide an optimum level of service in the allotted time.
• Act as backup or team interpreter for regionally based staff interpreters in unique situations.
• Responsible for accurate communication between deaf/hard of hearing and hearing individuals, considering the cultural and linguistic differences.
• Develop interpretation skills to better meet a variety of communication needs in a variety of settings.
• Prepare statistical and other reports as required by the department. Submits reimbursement information and other pertinent information when appropriate.
• Provide mentorship opportunities to increase workforce development among novice-experienced interpreters.
• Assist agency staff with special projects and assignments related to interpreting and/or services for deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess exceptional ASL-to-English Interpreting Skills.
• Demonstrated experience advocating for the rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
• Ability to understand, apply, and explain laws, rules, and regulations pertinent to the provision of interpreter services.
• Proficient with the provision of remote interpreting via Zoom or other similar platforms, and/or such as Video Relay Service (VRS) and Video Relay Interpreting, as well as competency in or the ability to learn MCDHH’s current interpreter scheduling software to access interpreting assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, deal tactfully with others, exercise discretion in handling confidential information, and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Willingness to work varied hours and travel within the Commonwealth.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, remote work software platforms (Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams), and other related software and databases.
• Certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) & other interpreter certification judged equivalent by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is required .

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the MCDHH Interpreter Services’ policies and procedures.
• Understanding of the executive, legislative, and judicial systems within the Commonwealth.
• Increased experience and/or training to upgrade interpreter skills.

Please note: This position is designated as "confidential", and as such is excluded from Bargaining Unit 8 under the SEIU collective bargaining agreement. Therefore, most benefits are governed by the Commonwealth's "Red Book". (For example: your dental/vision benefits will be with the Group Insurance Commission).

About the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is the principal agency in the Commonwealth on behalf of people of all ages who are deaf and hard of hearing. Our Vision is a Commonwealth where universal access is the standard for ensuring that Deaf and hard of hearing people fully participate in all areas of life. The Mission of MCDHH is to provide accessible communication, education and advocacy to consumers and private and public entities so that programs, services and opportunities throughout Massachusetts are fully accessible to persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

Learn more about our impactful work:

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.

Applicants should upload a cover letter and resume for the Designated Interpreter to the Commissioner.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements :

At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience providing interpretation and/or transliteration services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population after successful completion of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Screening.

Substitutions: None

Licenses:

• Certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or other interpreter certification judged equivalent by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is required.
• Based on assignment, advanced certification or successful completion of training in a specialty area appropriate to that assignment is required.
• Successful completion of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Screening is required.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license or the equivalent from another state.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Interp,Deaf Hard of Hearing II

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Boston-600 Washington Street

Job : Community and Social Services

Agency : Commission for the Deaf and Hard Of Hearing

Schedule : Part-time

Shift : Multiple

Job Posting : Mar 7, 2025, 8:48:41 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 54,294.24 - 74,070.67 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Natasha Lugo - natasha.lugo@mass.gov - 8572830119

Bargaining Unit : 08-SEIU - Local 509 - Social/Rehabilitation

Confidential : Yes

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes

Job Tags

Remote job, Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Flexible hours, Shift work,

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