Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
Lead Interpreter
Job Summary
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, herein referred to as the Commission, is seeking a full-time Lead Sign Language Interpreter to provide high-level professional sign language interpreting expertise and services in a state government setting. This position is responsible for ensuring effective communication access through sign language interpreting services on behalf of the Commission. The Lead Sign Language Interpreter will serve as a subject matter expert for the Interpreter Workforce Development Program by developing and supporting training, mentoring and initiatives that strengthen interpreter quantity and capacity in Louisiana. This position is also functions as the Commission’s staff interpreter for day-to-day communication access.
The Lead Sign Language Interpreter will demonstrate highly- effective communication in both American Sign Language and English as well as adherence to professional standards, best practices and codes of professional conduct as prescribed by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and/or the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE) Code of Ethics.
Effective Communication Leadership 40%
· Maintain knowledge and practical application of effective communication as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
· Participate in the development of informational and guidance materials such as interpreter best practices and the proper utilization of sign language interpreter services to educate and inform public and private service providers.
· Advocate for the needs of the Deaf, DeafBlind or hard of hearing consumer.
· Provide support to Program Managers with initiatives that further accessible effective communication in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
· Provide leadership for appropriate ethical and technical practice as it relates to the interpreting profession and/or state government laws, rules, or expectations.
· Maintaining relevant expertise or knowledge of the interpreting profession, the Commission’s programs and services, and state government policies and processes.
· Seek opportunities to improve and promote quality of services; make recommendations as needed.
Interpreter Workforce Development 35%
· Provide expertise for initiatives which increase the quality and quantity of sign language interpreters working in Louisiana.
· Recruit, train, and support interpreters interested in working in state government settings, particularly for public meetings.
· Develop training materials and provide consultation to interpreters on professional techniques, practices and resources within state government settings.
· Serve as a mentor to college interns and students, as needed, to support exposure to state government interpreting.
· Demonstrate ethical and professional practices and leadership at all times.
· Conduct and lead preparation meetings and/or debrief meetings for interpreting services assignments with colleagues, college interns and students, as needed.
· Track and document intern progress and development throughout the internship and/or job-shadowing experience.
· Serve as a Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) Administrator issuing Continuing Education Units (CEUs) on behalf of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
· Assist with sign language interpreter exam/assessment proctoring according to established protocol, when needed.
Interpreting Services 25%
· Provide high-level direct interpreting services for Commission staff, board members, or other departmental requests.
· Maintaining certification and registration requirements in accordance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, and the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf- Interpreter Registry.
· Model best practices and industry standards for professional interpreters.
· Demonstrate a professional image of the Commission and the interpreting profession and adhere to best practices at all times.
· Provide sign language interpreting and/ or captioning of video content for public viewing, as needed.
· Serve as the Lead Team Interpreter for all team assignments. Duties include:
o Acting as the liaison between stakeholder/client, team interpreters, and the Interpreter Program Manager.
o Advocating for equal communication access, as needed.
o Ensuring team interpreters have materials needed in advance to provide effective communication access.
o Conducting preparation meetings with team interpreters before assignments.
o Conducting debrief meetings with team interpreters after assignments.
o Coordinating interpreter placement, as needed, for each in-person meeting.
o Receiving and relaying feedback from interpreters and/or clients involved in assignments.
o Ensuring accessibility needs of clients, and Deaf and/or Tactile interpreters are met before, during and after the assignment.
o Maintain accurate records of interpreter planning sessions, debriefing sessions, and other recommendations to support the program’s growth
Required Qualifications
The below qualifications are the minimum qualifications required to satisfy this position.
· Valid Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification, or Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Advanced or higher
● Bachelor Degree or higher plus three years full-time work experience providing sign language interpreting services. (see allowable substitutions)
● Excellent time management skills
● Excellent organization skills
● Superior level of communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
The below qualifications are preferred in addition to the required qualifications listed above.
· Specialized degree in ASL/English Interpreting
· Experience in providing leadership and/or education within the sign language interpreting profession
· Experience providing interpreting services in state government settings
· Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) 4.0 or higher, and a passing score on the EIPA Written Knowledge Test.
Experience Substitution
Any combination of education and/or experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience, knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job may be considered.
· One year of full-time interpreting experience (32 hour work week) may be substituted for one year of college credit (30 semester hours).
· Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience.
· The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience.
Additional Information
· Salary range is $62,400-$98,800 annually plus benefits. Rate depends on relevant education requirements, credentials, and experience.
· Related benefits include health insurance, retirement, paid holidays and paid professional development opportunities.
· Full-time 40/hrs a week.
· Office located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
· Some statewide travel may be required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,400.00 - $98,800.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- providing sign language interpreting services: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID) (Preferred)
- board for evaluation of interpreters advanced certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
