Human Services Sign Language Interpreter

HUMAN SERVICES SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

 Work Hours:   Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, possibility of 1 late day per week (see below), 30-min unpaid lunch.

Late day: 11:00am-7:00pm, 12:00pm-8:00pm, or 1:00pm-9:00pm 

Work Location:  4200 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60634

Division of Mental Health 
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services 

Closing Date/Time:  12/20/2024 

Posting Identification Number 43471 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, your part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Division of Mental Health is seeking to hire a Human Services Sign Language Interpreter for the Chicago-Read Mental Health Center located in Chicago, Illinois to serve as an interpreter for civil and forensic psychiatric inpatient consumers who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and/or Deaf-Blind in a variety of situations such as admission/discharges, individual patient and group counseling sessions, fitness restoration, treatment/discharge planning, medical appointments, phone calls and family visits.  Also provides interpreting services for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing state employees.  Coordinates interpreter services for in-house and agency interpreters.  Provides staff instruction in sign language, deafness, Deaf Culture and working with an interpreter. 

Essential Functions

• Serves as an interpreter for civil and forensic psychiatric inpatient consumers who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and/or Deaf-Blind in a variety of situations such as admission/discharges, individual patient and group counseling sessions, fitness restoration, treatment/discharge planning, phone calls and family visits. 
• Interprets admission and discharge procedures, and phone calls and visits with collaterals.
• Coordinates in-house and agency interpreter services for staff and/or consumers.
• Interprets for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing staff during orientation, trainings, special seminars, facility/ unit/department meetings, etc. as related to Division of Mental Health/Department of Human Services (DHS) job duties. 
• Provides staff instruction in sign language, deafness, Deaf Culture and how to work with an interpreter.
• Participates in DHS and Chicago-Read Mental Health Center mandatory training.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of high school, plus a valid interpreter license in accordance with the interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 at the Advanced Proficiency License level as mandated by 68 Illinois Administrative Code Part 1515.
• Additionally requires one (1) year of experience in the fields of disabilities or behavioral health.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties.
• Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description