Title: Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing - #BVIWE046

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec III

Hiring Range: Minimum starting wage rate $23.40/hour commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Blind/Vision Impaired

Location: Blind & Vision Impaired

Agency Website: https://www.dbvi.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

If you want to work in an environment with a dynamic team that has a passion in reducing and removing blindness, low vision, and deafblind related barriers to employment, then this is the place for you.

Job Duties:

We are seeking to fill an Interpreter for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing to provide interpreting services as needed for staff working at DBVI.

in accordance with RID’s Code of Ethics, provides interpreting/ transliterating services requiring a high level of accuracy, expressive and receptive skills utilizing all communication modes:

• Interprets in a wide variety of settings including meetings, training, interviews, medical, and counseling situations, and a variety of other situations to include virtual platforms.
• Provides agency accessibility by facilitating communication between signing and non-signing individuals.
• Services provided are consistent with the Code of Ethics and provided in a confidential manner, message is conveyed faithfully and, in the content, and spirit of the speaker. Personal opinions, advice, or counsel is not provided in the interpreting setting, and the interpreter conducts him/ herself in a manner that is appropriate to the situation.

The position you are applying for is an Hourly/Wage position. Hourly (wage) employees may not work more than an average of 29 hours a week and can’t exceed 1500 hours during their employment year. This position does not include health insurance, retirement or leave.

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Valid Virginia driver’s license

Knowledge/Experience:

• Knowledge of deaf culture and common communication issues associated with deafness and hearing loss; the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words and rules of composition and grammar. 
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize work to accomplish team goals; interpret and appropriately apply established policies and procedures in the provision of services; analyze and interpret complex information for various audiences; interpret client communication in a manner that others understand; maintain confidential information and abide by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID’s) Code of Conduct; organize and manage multiple and sometimes unrelated or competing responsibilities in a timely manner.

Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency in American Sign Language and other signing communication modalities. 
• Proven interpreting and translating skills in American Sign Language, expressive and receptive as determined by State Quality Assurance Screening.

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from varying social and economic environments.

Additional Considerations:

• Certificate of Transliteration or Interpretation through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or Quality Assurance Screening Level II or above through the VQAS testing system.
• Training in Interpreting, completion of an interpreter training program or equivalent experience.

Special Instructions:

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1. 
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.