The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is deeply committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect while ensuring their growth and well-being in safe, nurturing environments. With an unwavering dedication to excellence, DCF provides services to over 100,000 children and families each year, supported by a dedicated team of more than 4,000 employees across 31 locations statewide. In pursuit of our mission, we are seeking a compassionate and qualified American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter to join our team in supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing staff across the agency. The ASL Interpreter plays a vital role in ensuring communication access in a wide range of settings, enabling Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees to fully participate in protective services and custody-related work with clients, families, and external partners. This position requires strong technical interpreting skills, a commitment to professional ethics, and a deep understanding of Deaf culture, as well as the barriers that Deaf individuals may face in the child welfare system. The role may occasionally require work during early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on operational needs. General Statement of Duties: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is deeply committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect while ensuring their growth and well-being in safe, nurturing environments. With an unwavering dedication to excellence, DCF provides services to over 100,000 children and families each year, supported by a dedicated team of more than 4,000 employees across 31 locations statewide. In pursuit of our mission, we are seeking a compassionate and qualified American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter to join our team in supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing staff across the agency. The ASL Interpreter plays a vital role in ensuring communication access in a wide range of settings, enabling Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees to fully participate in protective services and custody-related work with clients, families, and external partners. This position requires strong technical interpreting skills, a commitment to professional ethics, and a deep understanding of Deaf culture, as well as the barriers that Deaf individuals may face in the child welfare system. The role may occasionally require work during early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on operational needs. General Statement of Duties: · Provide real-time interpretation and transliteration in American Sign Language for staff meetings, 1:1 supervision, trainings, home visits, and community-based settings. · Interpret in complex, high-pressure situations, including child removals, medical and psychiatric emergencies, and court proceedings. · Translate technical documents such as service plans, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and medical reports between English and ASL. · Maintain compliance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. · Collaborate with DCF staff to promote inclusive communication and increase agency-wide accessibility. Required Qualifications: Minimum of two years of professional experience providing ASL interpretation after successful completion of MCDHH screening. · Ability to interpret across various settings including family homes, healthcare facilities, schools, and courtrooms. · Deep understanding of the linguistic, cultural, and developmental impact of Deafness. · Experience interpreting in high-stress, emotionally sensitive situations involving children and families. · Proficiency in translating technical documents clearly and accurately. · Demonstrated ability to coordinate communication support services for Deaf professionals. · Comfort explaining complex medical, educational, or procedural content using ASL. · Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-based approach. · Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends, as necessary. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional email etiquette. To Apply: Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. About the Department of Children and Families: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education. DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning. For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf 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, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements: 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 after successful completion of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Screening. Substitutions: An Associate's or higher degree in Interpreter Studies may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience. One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. A certificate as evidence of completion of a two-year Interpreter Training Program may be substituted for the required experience. Certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or other interpreter certification judged equivalent by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing may be substituted for the required experience. Licenses: Successful completion of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Screening is required. Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state. New employees may be hired directly into salary range I based upon the following evidence of level I competencies: Certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or other interpreter certification judged equivalent by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees who were initially hired into salary range (A) may advance to salary range (B) at any time after hire based upon the following evidence of level (B) competencies: Certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or other interpreter certification judged equivalent by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing AND Satisfactory completion of a full year performance evaluation cycle. /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/ Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! 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. Job: Community and Social Services Organization: Department of Children & Families Title: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Location: Massachusetts-Taunton-1 Washington Street Requisition ID: 260000XR
