Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator

SUMMARY:

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator is to support the expansion of deaf service resources, provide training and expertise to regional center staff, and coordinate with the Department of Developmental Services on statewide efforts. This position is an agency wide support for individuals who are deaf and have developmental disabilities to identify and develop resources to provide improved services.. This position is intended to recognize the need to evaluate and improve access to and quality of services and support for individuals who are deaf and have intellectual/developmental disabilities. Stakeholders and advocates have expressed concerns regarding access to effective communication across service categories, lack of formal communication assessments when individuals who are deaf enter the system, and the need for the regional centers to address barriers to access appropriate services, such as the limited availability of interpreters and lack of general resources for this community. This position will provide guidance and leadership to VMRC and community to support the expansion of deaf service resources, develop and implement communication assessments, provide training and expertise to regional center staff, and collaborate with other regional centers on statewide efforts.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator will engage in resource development for VMRC’s catchment area (5 Counties) that includes participating in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This position will involve all steps of vendorization as outlined in California Code of Regulations Title XVII. The position will provide program evaluation, and technical assistance to staff, vendors, clients and the community on resources, regulations, unmet needs, and quality assurance in services for deaf and hard of hearing with developmental disabilities. This position is to ensure services provided to people supported are in compliance with Title XVII, California Code of Regulations, the Lanterman Act, Agency standards and best practices for community programs for the developmentally disabled. A knowledge base of regulations is strongly recommended. The position must collaborate with the vendor community, Community Care Licensing, and with the Department of Developmental Services.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters in performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is primarily performed in professional office environment
• Manual dexterity for typing on a computer keyboard.
• Vision required to view computer monitor, read numbers and printed material.
• Mobility sufficient to reach, lift and transport files and other work material to work areas.
• Mobility sufficient to visit clients’ homes, community services provider’s sites and public meetings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer This list is meant to be representative, not exclusive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed or may perform related duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Job Specific Duties:

1. Liaising and partnering with generic agencies that provide services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing and advocating for these services to be available to and/or adapted for regional center consumers.
2. Working with vendors and other entities that specialize in needed services to expand the regional center’s resource pool.
3. Serving as the resource person for regional center staff who provide service coordination to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.
4. Assessing the community’s unmet needs and collaborate with resource development.
5. Participating in statewide collaboration with similar staff at other regional centers and the Department’s Deaf Access Specialist to identify best practices, strategies, and processes to implement at their regional center.
6. Organizing and holding training courses developed by the Department for regional center service coordinator staff and vendors and developing additional trainings and informational materials, as needed.
7. Overseeing that communication assessments are performed for individuals and results are incorporated into individual program plans.
8. Ensuring the integrity of the regional center’s data pertaining to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.
9. Evaluate the quality of skills and effectiveness of interpreters.
10. Assist in recruiting and interviewing qualified interpreters
11. Facilitate interpreter orientations and other required meetings.
12. Prepare and provide information regarding deaf and hard of hearing accommodations for publication.
13. Develop plans of correction for underperforming programs and provide follow-up as needed.
14. Develop, maintain and monitor vendor contracts and payment agreements.
15. Investigate and follow up on whistleblower complaints concerning deaf and hard of hearing individuals or services.
16. Assist with data entry into computer systems as necessary.
17. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator will collaborate with the Deaf Access Specialist of the DDS and with other regional centers Deaf Specialist to determine appropriate monitoring measures for this population.
18. Act as the single point of contact for individuals, families, and advocacy organizations to address local-level concerns and work with =VMRC staff to resolve issues.
19. Receive training and support efforts from the Department of Developmental Services to offer communication assessments that inform individual program plans and are updated as individual needs change.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.

B. Other Job Specific Duties:

1. Maintain respectful and clear communication with Manager.
2. Accept guidance, constructive advice, and supervision. Seek clarification or support, as needed.
3. Work alternative hours as required.
4. Attend all meetings, trainings, and conferences as assigned.
5. Maintain safe and functional work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

1. American Sign Language.

2. Sensitivity to and understanding of the deaf culture.

3. Interpreter Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Professional Ethics of real time captioners.

4. Legal requirement to provide mandated accommodations in a community setting, post-secondary education, including the ADA, Civil Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act,

5. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, PowerPoint, and Excel spreadsheet and database applications

6. Record keeping principles and procedures.

7. Smart phone usage including texting and photo and video capabilities in relation to assistive technology.

8. English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

9. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and Departmental codes, policies, and procedures.

10. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, families, clients, licensing, DDS, and stakeholders, including individuals of various ages, disabilities, socio-economic and ethnic groups.

Skills & Abilities to:

1. Fluently communicate both receptively and expressively in American Sign Language.

2. Communicate clearly and remain focused while managing constant text messages, emails, telephone/video phone calls, and face-to-face communications from vendors, staff, interpreters, captioners, and others.

3. Keep clear records of all schedule changes, budget projections, and miscellaneous reports.

4. Compose and prepare correspondence, flyers, and other written materials independently.

5. Perform complex and detailed calculations when processing a multitude of spreadsheets.

6. Remain flexible and highly organized in the face of a constantly fluctuating schedule and constantly changing priorities.

7. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

8. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

9. Understand scope of authority in making independent decisions.

10. Learn and apply emerging technologies as necessary, to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.

11. Review situations accurately and determine appropriate course of action using judgment according to established policies and procedures.

12. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

The following requirements generally demonstrate possession of the minimum requisite knowledge and ability necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Associate’s degree from an accredited college

• Two years’ experience with the deaf and hard of hearing community
• or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Fluency in American Sign Language required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of an accredited interpreter training program.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and State automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record substantiated by a DMV printout.
• Full use of automobile or ability to provide for independent transportation.
• Must be able to drive to various sites as assigned on a daily basis.
• The ideal candidate is fully immersed in the deaf community .

Compensation: $2,230.40 - $2,988.80 biweekly

VMRC supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all staff. We have a zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment in our agency.Likewise, Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) is committed to complying with all laws that protect qualified individuals with disabilities.