Interpreters Deaf - Contractor

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Job Description - Interpreters For The Deaf - Contractor (2500080P)

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. The incumbent will interpret spoken or written content into signed content and vice versa while working with Deaf staff in their interactions with agency staff, clients/consumers, service providers, colleagues, community members and other stakeholders.

• 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 Face Time.
• 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: maintain an up-to-date Outlook calendar; schedule appropriate blocks of time for interpreting services; identify scheduling conflicts and 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,…