Salary: $71,760--$79,560 for 30 hours/week

Schedule: 4 day work week

The Specialized Deaf Interpreter (DI) acts as a vital communicative and cultural liaison between Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, hard of hearing, and non-deaf individuals within the Advocates community. The Deaf Interpreter facilitates communication access for individuals who use a variety of communication styles and multimodal approaches, including American Sign Language (ASL), ProTactile language, tactile and tracking modalities, visual communication, gestures, home signs, and other individualized communication methods. Services may be provided directly and/or in collaboration with ASL-English interpreters utilizing a Deaf-led, Open Process model of interpreting.

The Deaf Interpreter also translates English-print information into ASL, supports communication access initiatives, and provides consultation regarding Deaf culture, language access, and accessibility best practices related to communication access. The Deaf Interpreter reports to the Director of Communication Access and provides services throughout the agency to Advocates employees and communities accessing Advocates services.

This is a hybrid position with in-person responisbilities in MA.

• Provide direct and indirect interpretation services for individuals throughout the agency using ASL, tactile language/modalities, language influenced by language deprivation, home signs, gestures, and other visual communication systems.
• Facilitate communication access utilizing a Deaf-led, Open Process model of interpreting that incorporates the linguistic, cultural, and accessibility needs of both signers and non-signers.
• Assess communication needs and adapt interpreting, captioning, and other approaches to support effective and equitable communication access.
• Translate English-print materials, agency communications, and other content into accessible ASL.
• Work collaboratively with ASL-English interpreters, Communication Access team members, Advocates staff, community interpreters, external service providers, and agency leadership to support communication access during assignments, meetings, trainings, and agency events.
• Support the Director of Communication Access and Assistant Director of Communication Access in providing consultation, guidance, and education to employees regarding Deaf culture, communication strategies, language access, accessibility best practices, and communication equity.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communication Access, Assistant Director of Communication Access, Scheduling Specialist, Administrative Specialist and other departments to support communication access planning, service delivery, accessibility initiatives, and quality assurance efforts.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Communication Access, Assistant Director of Communication Access, Scheduling Specialist, Administrative Specialist and other relevant staff regarding assignment logistics, scheduling concerns, changes in communication needs, accessibility barriers, and service delivery challenges.
• Support the mentoring of Communication Access interns in settings deemed appropriate by the Director of Communication Access.
• Provide communication access services in both in-person and remote environments as assigned. Utilize agency-approved technology and virtual platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other communication tools, to participate in meetings, trainings, consultations, and interpreting assignments while maintaining professionalism, accessibility, and confidentiality.
• Participate in departmental meetings, supervision, trainings, and other activities that support Communication Access team goals and organizational objectives.
• Adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct and all applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain professional competency through community involvement, professional development activities, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
• Treat all Advocates community members with dignity and respect in accordance with Advocates' Human Rights Policy and The Advocates Way. Promptly report concerns regarding abuse or neglect of persons served, accessibility barriers, discrimination, or other human rights concerns through appropriate agency reporting procedures.  Report concerns related to employee discrimination through supervisory channels or by following the Hate, Discriminatory, or Oppressive Behavior (HDOB) reporting protocol.
• Perform all duties in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and performance standards.

• Fluency in American Sign Language and written English. Native and heritage signers are strongly encouraged to apply.
• A.A. Degree required, B.A. or B.S. degree in related field preferred.
• MCDHH screening or equivalent preferred.
• National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification preferred. Non-certified candidates are expected to actively work towards national certification under the guidance of their supervisor.   
• Must have interpreting experience in a wide variety of settings. Experience in human services systems preferred; examples include behavioral health, substance use recovery, developmental disabilities, brain injuries, independent living resources, and/or language deprivation.
• Understanding of Deaf community culture, language, and intersectional identities required. Experience with Deaf, Deafblind, Deaf-disabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened identities preferred.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills for working in a diverse multi-lingual, multi-cultural community.
• Basic computer knowledge required. Experience with video translation recording and editing preferred.
• Must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to be flexible with assignment needs within agreed upon schedule.
• Must have transportation access available during working hours to travel between sites.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.