ASL Interpreter
Lakewood, CO
Full Time
Experienced
Job Title: ASL Interpreters
Location: The place of performance is 155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228
Company: Sanford Federal, Inc.
Job Description/Scope of Work: Interpreter services shall be available for all hearing-impaired employees to meet reasonable accommodations within the Denver Regional Office to include the following station addresses: 155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228. At minimum three (3) interpreters will be needed full time, 40 hours a week. Additional interpreter services may be requested at the above location to meet Regional Office's needs for support of veterans and employees. The candidate will be notified in writing at least two weeks in advance should an increase of permanent full-time support be required and 48 hours in advance for ad hoc for temporary support not to exceed 90 days. The contract interpreter shall provide interpreting services from American English as spoken language to American Sign Language using the mode or means of communication style that is most appropriate for the deaf/hard of hearing employee(s) in the following mode: simultaneous interpretation. The main responsibility will be to translate the spoken word into sign language. The contract interpreter should be able to work in a high-pressure, fast paced environment and stay within the role of interpreter. In the performance of services under this contract, the contract interpreter shall adhere to the provisions of this contract. The contract interpreter must be able to perform with general office equipment (i.e., computers, computer monitors, video screens, microphones, headphones, and have broadband internet connection for remote and onsite interpreting) and provide interpreting services via computer microphone and/or telephone conversations. Interpreters should be technologically proficient and able to troubleshoot most of their own IT-related issues without relying on the employee client. It is requested that the contracting vendor coordinator be ASL certified as then they can fully understand the requirements for interpreters, screen potential interpreters, and anticipate the needs of the employee clients and on short notice provide interpreting services themselves.
REQUIRED HOURS OF SERVICE AND SCHEDULING
a) Services are normally required at the Denver VA RO (155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228), Denver’s outbased locations (1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907), or virtually, but the work site location is subject to change. Services are needed each Monday – Friday during the normal business hours of 0830-1600 for a minimum of 40 hours per employee client excluding all Federal holidays and/or an In-Lieu of Holiday (ILH) as noted on a compressed work schedule. The projected schedule is subject to change. The Denver VA Regional Office (employee client’s supervisor or COR) will notify the candidate of any needed schedule changes via email.
b) The contract vendor will supply a Zoom (or similar video teleconferencing platform) account for each employee client and will also provide a shared calendar for use by the employee client and their interpreters to update in real time and adjust for the different time zones.
c) The contract vendor should have access to video teleconferencing platforms such as MS Teams and Zoom for remote sessions (or similar VA approved video teleconferencing platform). Multiple teleconferencing platforms will sometimes be used at the same time.
c) Due to potential training and/or town hall functions, it is required that interpreter(s) be available beyond the estimated 40 hours: these hours should be flexible. For these non-routine hours (max of 15 hours per week), when possible, the scheduler will be notified 48-hours in advance of the need for an interpreter. If an unforeseen urgent need is identified, the scheduler will provide an interpreter within 2-hours of notification of the urgent need. It is expected that the candidate can provide the required services if notified within the specified window. It should be noted that a change from a virtual setting to an in-person setting is not considered “non-routine” and should still be considered a contractual obligation.
Responsibilities:
Sanford Federal, Inc. is seekingASL Interpreters to lead a federal contract.
The minimum requirements required are:
1. Possess strong listening, research, memory, and American Sign Language skills.
2. Ability to sign in many various situations, including but not limited to meetings, small groups, large groups, and one-on-one.
3. Ability to perform in a challenging, creative, formal working environment, and virtual working environment.
4. Ability to sign in a work training environment that involves a variety of technical terms and acronyms specific to this government agency.
5. Excellent customer service skills. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships (to include but not limited to) veterans, leadership, stakeholders, and peers.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter shall possess: an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major study in a field related to either interpretation or American Sign Language (ASL) studies; or be able to provide sufficient assurances that the interpreter has the required knowledge and skills necessary to act as a competent interpreter. The interpreter must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. In lieu of a degree, the interpreter may hold current generalist (or higher) licensure by either the National Association of the Deaf or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The candidate shall provide American Sign Language Interpretation services for Denver VARO in accordance with the requirements listed herein. Additional required knowledge and skills: In addition to the experience and educational requirements described above, the ASL interpreter shall clearly possess the following knowledge and skills:
1. Ability to voice to sign.
2. Ability to sign to voice.
3. Developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with members from a variety of backgrounds.
4. Ability to thrive in a challenging, creative, and informal working environment.
5. Ability to work within a changing schedule if the need arises.
6. Excellent customer service skills.
7. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
TASKS
The candidate shall perform the following tasks.
The candidate shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience. Interpreters need to be nationally certified by either NAD (National Association of the Deaf), RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf), ASLPI (American Sign Language Proficiency Interview), or an equivalent certification program.
The candidate shall ensure interpreters are familiar with VA and jargon used along with a basic knowledge of what the employee clients do in their positions.
The candidate shall provide American Sign Language interpreter services.
The candidate shall provide language services at a minimum of two (2) hours per event. The minimum two (2) hours includes 15 minutes of travel time to direct interpreter to the employee’s unit. For the ease and effectiveness of the employee clients, a list of local interpreters to use as a pool shall be provided to conform with the 15-minute travel time to and from an event.
The candidate shall respond to service calls during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays observed by the Federal Government. The candidate shall respond to verbal service calls and is expected to initiate the language services within 24 hours of the contracted 48-hour notification provided by the Denver VARO. personnel shall report to the service requests and notify of his/her arrival at the Guard Station of the Denver RO.
The candidate shall be required to provide fully qualified and trained or certified service and management personnel in sufficient numbers to actively and efficiently service and support the requested sign language interpretation services during the contract period. Two interpreters shall be provided when services are known to occur over two (2) hours. Services beyond the initial two (2) hours will be charged for an additional one (1) hour service and will require the interpreters be allowed a 15-minute break.
Qualifications:
- All ASL Interpreters provided must be able to proficiently interpret oral communications for Deaf and/or Hearing-Impaired employees, customers, or applicants. All Sign Language
- Interpreters shall use American Sign Language (ASL) to perform interpreting for Deaf or Hearing-Impaired employees and applicants.
- All Sign Language Interpreters must be certified by the National Certification Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
- Comply with the Professional Code of Conduct established by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) regardless of the type of qualification they possess with strict adherence to confidentiality.
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