Sign Language Interpreting and Communication Access Coordinator
University of Chicago
Department
About the Department
Job Summary
This position is responsible for daily interpreting services and teaming with other contracted interpreters and/or captioning services. Additionally, responsibilities include supporting the SDS Access Coordinator with recruitment, assigning, and coordinating sign language interpreting and CART services for students, staff, faculty, and/or visitor on behalf of the university. The position may manage a caseload of student who require accommodation support and services.
Responsibilities
- Serves as the lead sign language interpreter in Student Disability Services (SDS) for on-call/on-demand and regularly scheduled sign language interpreting needs of the University of Chicago. Assignments may be a combination of recurring, one-time and last-minute appointments within established work hours.
- Establishes a collaborative working relationship with students, staff, faculty, and/or visitors using communication access services.
- Coordinates all recruitment and onboarding of sign language interpreters and/or captioners for classes, meetings, or University events for deaf students and campus stakeholders as needed.
- Communicates with appropriate faculty, staff, and students to obtain preparation materials for communication access appointments.
- Provides resources and preparation materials in a timely manner to interpreters/captioners to assist them with specialized or unfamiliar vocabulary of academic disciplines.
- Provides feedback regarding contracted interpreter skill levels and recommends interpreter assignments. Keeps SDS leadership apprised about communication access services and needs.
- Supports in the development and maintenance of a highly qualified pool of interpreters/captioners for a rigorous academic environment through training and mentoring.
- In collaboration with the SDS staff, uses the SDS AIM database for reporting, scheduling, and tracking interpreting and captioning assignments; provides information to interpreters/captioners on the use of the AIM database as needed.
- Manages a caseload of students who require accommodation support and services.
- With SDS Director team, assesses eligibility for services and appropriately communicates information about disability accommodations and services.
- Maintains records on the use of interpreting/captioning services for departmental reporting requirements.
- Participates in SDS staff and university meetings.
- Assists SDS staff with the provision of parking and University services to support interpreters/captioners while on campus.
- Assists with the coordination of CART, in-person and remote, captioning services and equipment with established UChicago vendors and/or Audio-Visual Department as needed.
- Stays abreast of Hard of Hearing (HoH) best practices in interpreting services, captioning technology and/or HoH resources.
- Provides educational resources to the campus stakeholders on HoH best practices.
- Provides technical assistance and training support to students, faculty and/or staff when necessary; networks with disability agencies and other community organizations providing services to students.
- Participates in University required and recommended training directly relevant to the role.
- Coordinates events, researches logistics, assists with planning and preparing presentations, event outreach, and post-event write ups.
- Assists with other administrative projects as needed and acquire higher level guidance and skills.
- Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
- Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.---
Work Experience:
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Three years of interpreting experience.
- Experience with professional development and mentoring of ASL interpreters.
Certifications:
- Maintain a current professional license in the state of Illinois at the advanced or master level or a national equivalent.
- Must obtain advanced, master level, or a national equivalent professional sign language interpreting license shortly upon hire.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Demonstrated competence in American Sign Language with evidence of successfully interpreting in a rigorous academic environment.
- Basic computer skills and proficiency.
- Knowledge of laws that apply to disability accommodations in a higher education setting (e.g., ADA; Section 504).
Preferred Competencies
- Problem solve and exercise good judgment.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.
- Demonstrated experience in accomplishing detailed organizational tasks within established deadlines.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
FLSA Status
Pay Frequency
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Benefits Eligible
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Posting Statement
Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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