About the role
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