SIGN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

Position/Program Information

FIRST DAY OF FILING:

08/22/2024 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

ONLINE FILING ONLY.

EXAM NUMBER:
T1160D

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY

DEFINITION:
Provides AmericanSign Language interpretation servicesto minors, their families, and employees within the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class provide AmericanSign Language interpretation to Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children's Social Workers, clerical and administrative support staff, or to Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing minors, their families, and foster families who are served by DCFSand accompanied by the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children's Social Workers.

A variety of communication methods may be utilized, including American Sign Language, Home Sign, and other signing modalities, to meet the needs of the clients or staff receiving the sign language interpretation services. Positions allocable to this class must be fluent in English and American Sign Language. Incumbents must possess and apply the knowledge and skills required to convey the contents and spirit of the speaker. In addition, incumbents must keep all assignment-related information confidential and maintain high professional standards in compliance with the established Code of Professional Conduct set forth by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides sign language interpretation services in person or via remote videoconferencing to Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children’s Social Workers, clerical support staff, or administrative support staff in areas such as training, fieldwork, in the adoption process, and on duty days which includes, in-house and emergency interpreting.
• Accompanies Children’s Social Workers in conducting case investigations, interviews, and case-related information where sign language interpretation services are required; provides sign language interpretation during Dependency Investigations (DI) to obtain initial contact information with Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing clients.
• Performs general office support duties, when not interpreting on a full-time basis. Uses computer applications such as Microsoft Office, calendar, e-mail, database software and virtual platforms such as TEAMS, Zoom, WebEx, FaceTime, or Google Duo in performing work assignments.
• Provides sign language interpretation services in person or via remote videoconferencing during various meetings such as general staff, leadership, unit meetings, supervisor meetings, workgroups, Quality Improvement Development Enhancement (QIDE), Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, Headquarters and the Board of Supervisor meetings whenever Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing persons are present.
• Provides interpretation services in person or via remote videoconferencing during one-and-one case conferences, emergency referrals, Medical Hub appointments, family engagements, Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT) assessments, forensic interviews, Quality Service Reviews (QSR), Academy Training for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing new hires, department sponsored trainings, immigration appointments; and during special events such as Independent Living Program (ILP) graduates, Core Practice Model, Resource Parent Appreciation Awards celebrations and Director’s Awards ceremonies.
• Accompanies children to medical/dental/mental health appointments, court appearances, special events, and on outings to provide interpretation services to facilitate communication between Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing children and hearing persons, as needed.
• Provides sign language interpretation services for the minors and their families during counseling sessions, including therapy and sexual abuse counseling, parenting classes, and County required Foster Parent Training, as needed.

Requirements

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:
Three (3) years of work experience* providing interpretation and translation services in American Sign Language (ASL) to Deaf and/or Hard-of-Hearing person(s).

LICENSE REQUIRED:
Must possess a valid sign language certification** or license** from at least one of the following:

• National Interpreter Certification (NIC);
• National Association for the Deaf (NAD) level III or higher;
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certificate of Interpretation (CI);
• RID Certificate of Transliteration (CT);
• RID Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI);
• RID Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC) issued within the past ten years and evidence of completion of the issuing body's Continuing Education Unit requirements;
• Certificate of completion from an accredited college or university issued for an Interpreter Training Program;
• A license or certificate issued by a State's agency for Sign Language Interpretation;
• A license or certificate issued by Los Angeles Unified School District or other school district for Sign Language Interpretation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*Experience is evaluated on the basis of a verifiable 40-hour work week. Work performed part-time will be prorated on a month-for-month basis.

**To qualify, applicants MUST attach a legible copy of the sign language certification or license to the online application at the time of filing or within 15 calendar days from the date of filing.

Out-of-Class experience will not be accepted for this examination .

WITHHOLD INFORMATION:
No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience must be fully met and indicated on the application at the time of filing.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS:

2 - Light: This class includes administrative positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination will consist of a structured oral interview, weighted 100%.The interview will assess Job Preparation; Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills; Adaptability; Dependability; Work Ethics; and Oral Communication.

Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the Eligible Register.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.

Applications will be processed on an "as-received" basis, and those receiving a passing score will be promulgated to the eligible register accordingly.

All notifications (e.g., Notice of Non-Acceptance, Notice of Results, etc.) will be emailed.

Scores cannot be given over the telephone.

NO PERSON MAY COMPETE FOR THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWELVE (12) MONTHS.


SPECIAL INFORMATION:


FINGERPRINTING CLEARANCE AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

Department of Children and Family Services employees are fingerprinted and subject to a criminal background check by the State Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Employment is contingent upon passing the background checks. An individual with job-related convictions as defined by the County policy (PPG 514) or the requirements of a "sensitive position" may be withheld from appointment or may be discharged.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION:
Candidates who are selected for employment must successfully complete the pre-employment requirements, which include fingerprint clearance and background investigations, medical examination, and a psychological evaluation.

Appointees must be willing to work after hours, weekend shifts and holidays.

FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment . The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
The eligible register resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Deaf Services Unit of the Department of Children and Family Services.

AVAILABLE SHIFT: ANY

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
Applicants are required to submit a standard Los Angeles County Employment Application online and complete the Supplemental Questionnaire to be considered for this examination. Paper applications and/or resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of online applications. All applicants MUST complete the filing process ONLINE (via electronic submission). Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. We must receive your application by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on the last day of filing.

Fill out your application completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Selection Requirements and complete the S upple mental Questionnaire . Provide any relevant education, training, and experience in the spaces provided, so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.

Note: It is recommended that all required documents are attached to your application and submitted at the time of filing. If you are unable to attach the required documents, you may e-mail them to DCFSExams@dcfs.lacounty.gov at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days from date of filing. Please make sure to reference your full name (Las t, First name), examination title and number on the subject line of your e-mail. Any missing required documents not submitted by the deadline will result in your application being rejected as incomplete.

Apply online by clicking on the " APPLY " tab for this posting. You can also track the status of your application by using this website.

All information is subject to verification. We may reject your application at any time during the examination and hiring process, including after appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please note that ALL information included in the application is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.
• FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION .
• Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification and Selection Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED .
• IMPORTANT NOTICE: Prime Variance Reports (PVRs), also known as Master Time Records, are not accepted, or required as part of the application process; this includes the selection interview and the background-check.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT LIBRARIES:
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the Internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING USER ID AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: dcfsexams@dcfs.lacounty.gov
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: ( 800) 735-2929

Department Contact Name: JoAnna Enriquez
Department Contact Phone: (213) 351-5898
Department Contact Email: dcfsexams@dcfs.lacounty.gov

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