Interpreters For The Deaf - Contractor

The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates for the Contracted Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing position. This is a temporary contract position, and the incumbent will interpret spoken or written content into signed content and interpret signed content into spokenor written content. The Contracted Interpreter's main duties will be to work with Deaf staff in their interactions with other agency staff, clients/consumers, service providers colleagues, community members and other stakeholders.

Interpretation will occur both on location and interpretersmay be required to assist with identifying/scheduling freelance interpreter services on a local/regional/statewide level to ensure communication access.

The Department of Mental Health is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity, as well as innovation, transformation, and change. The Department works towards creating a culture of excellence and belonging. Interpreters with diverse backgrounds and individuals from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.

Please Note: 20 hour/week position with flexible schedules. Varied days off.

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

• Directly provide in-person and remote interpreting/transliteration services to agency staff, clients/consumers, providers, employers, and members of the public, as appropriate.
  
• Provide effective interpretation/translation services, using languages most readily understood by those using these services, for meetings, conversations, training sessions, supervision, interviews, and other requested events.
  
• Maintain professionalism and professional standards as delineated in the Code of Professional Conduct of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
  
• Confer with fellow interpreters when working as a team, holding joint responsibility for the message.
  
• Be proficient with remote conferencing platforms commonly used by Massachusetts state agencies, including Teams, Zoom and FaceTime.
  
• Strive to obtain and review materials prior to providing interpreting services.
  
• Actively engage in reflective practice with colleagues to ensure best practices in ethical, linguistic, and cultural competencies.
  
• Continue to stay current on Deaf/hard of hearing topics and technology.
  
• Share acquired skills and knowledge with other contracted interpreters and Deaf staff locally, regionally and at the Statewide Deaf Services meetings.
  
• Interpret DMH staff and public announcements, such as those by the Commissioner, when requested and if scheduling permits.
  
• Interpret at DMH special events when requested in advance and if scheduling permits.
  
• Under the direction of the Deaf Service Program Coordinator, provide assigned interns with opportunities to observe and practice interpreter skills in the mental health setting; and help train new interpreters in the needs and demands of DMH/Case Management settings.
  
• Work closely with the Deaf Service Program Coordinator, to:
  
  • Ensure the MS Outlook calendar is up to date.
    
  • Schedule appropriate blocks of time for interpreting services following staff requirements and team availability.
    
  • Identify scheduling conflicts and help meet short notice/last minute requests
    
  • Identify when a freelance interpreter is needed to fill teaming and scheduling needs
    

• 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.
  
• Knowledge of both formal and informal registers of English, American Sign Language, and other signed communication (PSE, Contact Sign, etc.)
  
• Bilingual or multilingual fluency in languages other than ASL and English.
  
• Knowledge of specialized vocabularies (technical, medical, scientific, and so on) in both English and American Sign Language.
  
• Bachelor's Degree from an Interpreter Training Program.
  
• Certification by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or other interpreter certification judged equivalent 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/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.
  
• Ability to perform simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
  
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently.
  
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds and deal tactfully with others.
  
• Experience in the use of technology required for the job, including technology critical for remote work (e.g., Zoom, Outlook calendar, Teams, etc.).
  
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel and Outlook and other software programs.
  
• Flexibility and willingness to work with an ever-changing schedule.
  
• Available to work 20 hours per week as needed
  
• Ability to travel for work-related assignments and/or reliable access to transportation.
  

• Contract is for 12 months. (Renewable subject to appropriation).
  
• 20 hours per week as needed.
  

• Benefits are unavailable with the exception of sick leave accruals.
  
• Contracts are renewable, subject to Departmental approval, performance, and allocation of funds.
  
• All employees will be paid on a biweekly basis and must have direct deposits.