Freelance Deaf Relay Service Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

Interpretation will occur both on location and 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: 20 hour/week position with flexible schedules. Varied days off. 
 

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 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:

  • 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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, Teams, etc.).

• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel and Outlook and other software programs.

• Flexibility and willingness to work with an ever-changing schedule.

• Available to work 20 hours per week as needed

• Ability to travel for work-related assignments and/or reliable access to transportation.

Please Note: Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and certifications not to exceed the maximum hourly salary. The Contracted Interpreter must maintain certification/licensure throughout the period of employment.
Period of Service:

• Contract is for 12 months. (Renewable subject to appropriation).

• 20 hours per week as needed.

Additional Information:

• Benefits are unavailable with the exception of 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.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):
Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services.  It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients. 

Learn more about WRCH: Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) | Mass.gov

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire 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 http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
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. 

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

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 on the basis of 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 Persons 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 have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.