American Sign Language Interpreter

Position Overview 

• Role: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter
• Employment Type: Independent Contractor (As-needed basis)
• Client: Department of Defense Agency
• Purpose: Provide interpreting services for deaf and hard of hearing employees and applicants

Work Locations

• Richmond, Virginia
• Huntsville, Alabama  
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 

Schedule & Contract Details

• Schedule: As-needed basis (not full-time or part-time employment)  
• Notice Required: 5-7 business days advance notice for assignments
• Payment: Hourly rate 
• Minimum: 2-hour minimum payment per assignment (industry standard)
• Billing: Monthly invoicing with detailed time logs
• Assignment Duration: Single appointments to multi-day training sessions
• Flexibility: Accept assignments based on your availability

Key Responsibilities

Interpreting Services

• Provide clear and accurate ASL interpreting as a one-on-one for deaf or hard of hearing employee. Provide clear and accurate ASL interpreting for scheduled trainings and appointments with specialized terminology in:

• Acquisition
• Human resources
• Supply and quality assurance • Conduct on-the-job training for specific applications in:
• Procurement
• Human resources
• Supply planning
• Quality assurance

Additional Services

• Job interviews
• Safety talks
• Work procedure discussions
• Policy and assignment meetings
• Disciplinary discussions
• Team building events

Communication Requirements

Demonstrate proficiency in multiple communication modes:

• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Contact Sign Language
• Signed English
• Oral modes
• Provide bidirectional interpreting: ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL
• Adapt service delivery to consumer preference and communication needs

Required Qualifications

TIER 1: National Certifications (Preferred - 1+ year experience required)

• NAD-RID National Interpreter Certifications:

• NIC, NIC-Advanced, NIC-Master
  • RID National Interpreter Certification:
• CI, CT, CSC, MCSC, SC:L
  • NAD National Interpreter Certifications:
• NAD IV, NAD V
  • Minimum: 1 year professional experience in formal government training/classroom settings

TIER 2: State Certifications (3+ years experience required)

• Texas BEI: Advanced, Master, Level IV, Level V
• State Screening: Level III, IV, or V
• Minimum: 3 years professional experience in formal government training/classroom settings

TIER 3: Experience-Based (10+ years experience required)

• Minimum: 10 years professional experience in formal government training/classroom settings •
• Documentation required: Proof of interpreting experience in government settings
• Education consideration: Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Deafness or ASL fields

Core Competencies (All Tiers)

• Proficiency in ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL interpreting/transliterating
• Communication skills across multiple modes (ASL, Contact Sign Language, Signed English, Oral)
• Preferred: Experience in acquisition, human resources, supply, and quality assurance fields

Professional Requirements

• Maintain confidentiality per Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct
• Professional appearance and attire appropriate for government settings
• Timely and professional responses 
• Contact Scheduling Coordinator for any assignment changes
• Participate in quarterly meetings with agency leadership
• Submit to monthly employee feedback surveys (conducted in ASL)

Application Requirements

• Provide copies of credentials before assignments

Ideal Candidate

• Certified ASL interpreter with government experience
• Flexible schedule for as-needed assignments
• Professional demeanor in government settings
• Strong communication skills across multiple ASL modalities
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional conduct standards