Clarification from the agency

Non-competitive employment for individuals with RID/NAD certification OR Qualifying Interpreter Experience. Must be proficient in American Sign Language. This vacancy may close sooner than March 26, 2025 if a selection is made.

The incumbent will serve as an interpreter for deaf or hearing-impaired employees at the Atlanta Downtown Field Office located at 401 W Peachtree St., Ste. 2860 Floor 28 NW., Atlanta, GA 30308. You will be required to report to this office. This position is not eligible for remote work or telework.

• Serves as an interpreter for Social Security Administration employees who are deaf or hearing impaired and performs duties as needed.
• Interprets spoken language and/or conversations of a highly technical nature dealing with policies, procedures and laws for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Interprets for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing in meetings, trainings and conferences that are held in person, by teleconference or video conference.
• Interprets for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing in face to face interviewing with members of the public and intra-office meetings.
• Travels with employees who are deaf or hard of hearing to conferences, workshops, etc. at the direction of the supervisor.
• Establishes, teaches and evaluates courses in basic sign language for immediate office staff or other components who wish to develop or improve ability to communicate directly with employees who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Background and/or security investigation required
• Job offers are contingent on background / security investigation results
• Relocation expenses will not be paid
• All required documents must be received by the closing date of the announcement
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) required.
• Selectee will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
• The hiring official may consider the possibility of authorizing a recruitment incentive under 5 CFR part 575, subpart A. (Additional documentation will be requested from applicants if necessary)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must be proficient in American Sign Language AND meet the definition of either a "Certified" or "Qualified" interpreter, as detailed below. Recruitment incentive may be authorized (additional information or documentation may be required)

CERTIFIED INTERPRETER:
Interpreter is certified by a recognized certifying organization, such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and/or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).

QUALIFIED INTERPRETER:
Interpreter has four (4) years paid professional experience within the last six (6) years. Paid professional experience is defined as providing interpretive services that included interpreting difficult technical material including medical terminology, policies, rules and regulations such as those used by the Social Security Administration, on a full-time or part-time basis in a professional capacity for the purposes of gainful employment. A qualified interpreter must demonstrate fluency in expressive and receptive skills in American Sign Language, manually coded English, Pidgin Signed English and spoken English and maintain an Associate Membership in good standing with RID.

• Knowledge of American Sign Language and other accepted methods of communication with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing to render interpretations that are grammatically correct.
• Possesses certification from an organization such as the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) (NIC, NIC Advanced, NIC Master, CI, CT, CI/CT or CSC), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) (Level IV or V), or a recognized state certifying body.
• Knowledge of English to produce interpretations that are grammatically correct and which use a wide range of non-technical, technical or legal vocabulary.
• Basic knowledge of extensive, technical information and vocabulary used by employees who are deaf or hard of hearing in the performance of their duties.
• Ability to interface with managers and employees to provide guidance and assistance in relating to their employees who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once we have received your required documentation and questionnaire, we will consider you for job placement under the Selective Placement Program. You will be evaluated based on your submitted documentation, as well as the following:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

To view qualification requirements for all series, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for the Interview: Applicants should state any accommodation needed for the interview process prior to the interview, e.g., when the interview is scheduled.

Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559770