Certified Deaf Interpreter

Job Title: Certified Deaf Interpreter (DI)

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Compensation: $70,000 - $75,000

*If you are not local and wish to support, we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also available!

Position Summary:

Mission Essential has an opportunity supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services I (HHS I) in providing critical language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. We are seeking a Certified Deaf Interpreter (DI) who would provide specialized sign language interpretation services to facilitate effective communication between Deaf, DeafBlind, and hearing individuals. The DI works in collaboration with hearing interpreters and other communication professionals to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate interpretation in support of Government operations. Interpreters will provide accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation and translation services to support communication between Care Staff, unaccompanied children (UC), unaccompanied minors (UAM), and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). The DI would serve as Communication Liaisons to ensure all parties can fully understand one another in a variety of settings

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide in-person interpreting services at Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs and service

• Deliver remote interpreting services through videoconferencing platforms and other virtual communication tools, including availability for 24/7 requests when required.

• Facilitate communication between Care Staff and UC/UAM/URM using visual, tactile, gestural, protactile, and other accessible communication methods appropriate for Deaf and DeafBlind individuals.

• Work collaboratively with interpreter teams, including hearing interpreters when appropriate, to ensure clear, accurate, and culturally responsive communication.

• Adapt communication strategies to meet the linguistic, cultural, and accessibility needs of diverse Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing youth.

• Assist UC/UAM/URM in expressing their concerns, questions, and needs while maintaining neutrality and professional boundaries.

• Facilitate communication of important instructions, deadlines, and information between Care Staff and youth in a clear and accessible manner.

• Support the orientation of youth to available services, program expectations, and community resources through accessible communication.

• Demonstrate professional judgment to reduce communication barriers and ensure effective understanding among all parties.

• Maintain compliance with professional standards established by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).

• Participate in annual credential verification and skill assessments as required by government contracts.

• Adhere to strict confidentiality, ethical guidelines, and professional standards of conduct when working with vulnerable populations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a Certified Deaf Interpreter - current RID and/or NAD certification applicable to Deaf Interpreters (e.g., CDI or equivalent).

• Demonstrated proficiency in ASL and other visual/manual communication modalities.

• Experience working in team interpreting environments.

• Successful completion of a Tier 2 background check; no security clearance required.

• The work requires autonomy, decision-making, and a high degree of responsibility in managing language services to meet the needs of ORR programs and the vulnerable populations served.

Desired Skills:

• Prior experience as a linguist in foster care, social services, or medical care environments.