POSITION SUMMARY:

Coordinate interpreter services for culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and hearing consumers:

•    Schedule assignments and maintain efficient system of delivery for interpreters and consumers
•    Advocate for consumers and educate consumers and the public on appropriate use of interpreter services, fee-for-service, video-conferencing, etc.
•    Provide forms and invoices to Financial Services and Human Resources for invoicing and payment of interpreters
•    Process videoconference interpreting forms and invoices

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Service:

•    Receive requests from hearing, culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing consumers via phone, fax, e-mail, mail, internal request, or walk in.  Assignments may include meetings, appointments, interviews, conferences, training programs, and other assignments as required.
•    Assess needs of request, preferences, interpreter availability/skill level and time factors; and videoconference interpreting alternatives
•    Maintain current listing of available interpreters
•    Match, search and confirm request with appropriate interpreters
•    Follow up and monitor request until filled, refused or cancelled
•    Confirm assignment, date, location with consumers and interpreter
•    Request and provide preparatory information for interpreters as required (information regarding the nature of assignments and other written material for review)
•    Negotiate fee for service with consumers and service providers, including out of town charges; discuss fees for videoconference interpreting, as required.
•    Advocate for and educate consumers on appropriate use of interpreter services, external protocols for service, and fee-for-service
•    Educate clients on protocols for booking interpreters, OHRC and rights to access, use of After-Hours Service, funding resources available for interpreter services, etc.
•    Videoconference interpreting:  book equipment, room, coordinates schedules, confirm with Computer Services; assist with equipment set up and usage, as required.
•    Coordinate assignments for Interpreter Internship Program (IIP) in conjunction with OIS Provincial, as required. When booking interns, liaise with IIP and consumers for assignment approvals
•    Arrange travel and accommodations for out-of-town interpreters
•    Set up and oversee OIS screenings for potential interpreters in conjunction with OIS Provincial.
•    Answer client questions regarding general information, invoices and assignments
•    Other duties as assigned

Administration:

•    Book assignments using R&S (request and statistics) forms and the OIS database
•    Send written confirmation/refusal of assignments
•    Match interpreter invoices with R&S forms in OIS Database, do bank deposits and match cheques to invoices.
•    Process and submit Payroll invoices to Human Resources and Accounts Payable
•    Forward complete forms to Financial Services to initiate billing invoices
•    Review and file completed invoices and requests
•    Maintain accurate files, cheque deposits and statistics; provide reports as required
•    Maintain and review status of accounts on monthly basis as required
•    Initiate and respond to correspondence, forms and statistics
•    Prepare journal entries to correct on-going internal and external invoices
•    Prepare OIS Accruals at month-end, quarter-end and year end closures
•    Invoice inquiry-follow-up, credit memos, reverse invoices, collections, corrections and etc.
•    Other duties as assigned

Community Education:

•    Advocate for accessibility through the use of interpreters and other means of facilitating communication
•    Act as resource in order to provide general information in response to inquiries regarding interpreting, as well as advising consumers and clients of other programs & services at CHS
•    Prepare presentations and participate in workshops/seminars on interpreting services and general CHS services

Professional Development:

•    Attend internal staff meetings
•    Attend and participate in workshops/seminars related to position
•    Keep up-to-date on issues and information related to position and agency
•    Acquire and maintain ASL proficiency requirement for the position (Intermediate-Plus)

LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

•    Regional Director, Thunder Bay

QUALIFICATIONS:

•    2 or 3 year College diploma in Business Administration, interpreting training or equivalent
•    Two years administrative/general accounting/customer service experience
•    Experience in booking assignments and using a computerized scheduling system
•    Excellent analytical, time management, problem-solving skills as well as attention to detail
•    Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills
•    Proficiency in MS Office Suite, especially Excel, Internet, Outlook and databases
•    Strong negotiation and decision-making skills
•    Able to work independently and as part of a team
•    Knowledge of issues related to hearing loss and Deaf Culture an asset
•    Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) or willingness to learn
•    Demonstrated sensitivity to working in a culturally diverse environment
•    Occasional travel – annual retreat, ASL classes, or other professional development