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 spoken or 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. Incumbents of this position will receive complex assignments and will be expected to work predominantly in Mental Health settings, including at site offices, facilities with in-patient units, community programs, and with other Mental Health providers.

Interpretation will occur both on location in person and via remote platforms, and includes working from signed videos to written materials, and vice versa, at the request of Deaf staff. Interpreters may be assigned Statewide or to a specific area, office, or individual, and may be asked to team with other interpreters for cross-divisional or statewide provision of services. Interpreters may 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: In-state travel is required for this position; the incumbent may be required to work at other locations as requested.

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 before 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 Language Access 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 Language Access 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
• Perform other duties as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of both formal and informal registers of English, American Sign Language, and other signed communication (PSE, Contact Sign, etc.)
• Knowledge of Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
• Ability to perform simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently.
• Ability to establish rapport with people 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.).
• Excellent written, oral, and digital communication skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to work with an ever-changing schedule.
• Minimum of a High School Diploma or the equivalent.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of the Code of Ethics established by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
• 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.
• Bilingual or multilingual fluency in languages other than ASL and English.
• Familiarity with Mental Health conditions/experience working in Behavioral Health settings.
• 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.
• Advanced certification or successful completion of training in the Mental Health specialty area.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Outlook, and other software programs.
• Ability to travel for work-related assignments and/or reliable access to transportation.
• Available to work 20-30 hours per week as needed.

Please note : Compensation will be determined by base rates set by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH), which are based on education, experience, and certifications. The Contracted Interpreter must maintain certification/licensure throughout the period of employment.

Period of Service : The Contract is for 12 months. (Renewable subject to appropriation).

Additional Information:

• Benefits are unavailable except for 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.

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 by 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 ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

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

Qualifications

Minimum Entrance Requirements: None.

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.

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 based on 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 People 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 possess the necessary skills to thrive to apply for this role.

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action, or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please get in touch with the Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: William Herbert/[email protected] - 6173488473