SUMMARY OF POSITION

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 and supports. This position will serve as a regional center’s point person and subject matter expert on the provision of services to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator will engage in resource development for SCLARC’s catchment area (Bell, Bell Gardens, Maywood, Paramount, Cudahy, Downey, Huntington Park, South Gate, Compton, Lynwood, Gardena, Vernon and Carson, as well as the South Los Angeles area, including the communities of Watts, Crenshaw, Hyde Park, Leimert Park, View Park and Baldwin Hills) 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, individual SCLARC serve, 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES – None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

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 acting as point person on resource development.
5. Participating in statewide collaboration with similar staff at other regional centers and DDS  Deaf Access Specialist to identify best practices, strategies, and processes to implement at their regional center.
6. Organizing and holding trainings developed by DDS 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 used by RC.
10. Assist in recruiting and interviewing qualified interpreters and real time captionists.
11. Facilitate interpreter orientations and other required meetings.
12. Prepare and provide information regarding deaf and hard of hearing accommodations.
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. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator will collaborate with the Deaf Access Specialist of DDS and with other regional centers Deaf Specialist to determine appropriate monitoring measures for this population.
17. Act as the single point of contact for individuals, families, and advocacy organizations to address local-level concerns and work with SCLARC staff to resolve issues.
18. 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.
19. Performs other like duties as assigned.
20. Maintain respectful and clear communication with supervisor.
21. Accept guidance, constructive advice and supervision.  Seek clarification or support, as needed.
22. Work alternative hours as required.
23. Attend all meetings, trainings, and conferences as assigned.
24. Maintain safe and functional work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. American Sign Language.
2. Sensitivity to and understanding of 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, individual’s, licensing, DDS, and stakeholders, including individuals of various ages, disabilities, socio-economic and ethnic groups.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

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:

• Associates degree from an accredited college
• Two years’ experience in providing program support with individuals with developmental delay
• or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Fluency in American Sign Language required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIOINSPREFERRED 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• 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 individual’s homes, community services provider’s sites and public meetings.