Sign Language Staff Interpreter

Versability Resources; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

VersAbility Resources in Hampton, VA seeks a full-time Sign Language Staff Interpreter to provide ASL/English interpreting across locations and virtually for dispersed sites. The role emphasizes accurate interpretation, confidentiality, and cultural responsiveness.

The interpreter will support New Employee Orientation, meetings, and training, with travel across Hampton Roads and occasional remote coverage for distant locations, while maintaining professional standards and autonomy.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of one year of professional ASL/English interpreting experience.
• Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) Level III or above.
• Advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and spoken English.
• Valid state driver's license and ability to travel.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security credentials.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, real-time ASL/English interpretation between English and ASL.
• Interpret workplace conversations, meetings, orientations, training, and other communications.
• Convey meaning, tone, and context, not just words.
• Adapt interpreting approaches to individuals' communication preferences.
• Support New Employee Orientation and other organizational meetings.
• Travel to VersAbility locations and Government Contract sites.
• Provide virtual interpreting for dispersed locations (e.g., Hawaii, San Diego).
• Prepare for assignments by reviewing materials and terminology.
• Collaborate with Deaf interpreters and other hearing interpreters.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Skills

ASL/English interpretation

Ethics and professional conduct

Travel readiness

Interpreting for meetings/training

MS Office/Outlook/Teams usage

Education

High school diploma or GED

VQAS Level III+

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in ASL/English or related field

Job description

Sign Language Staff Interpreter

About VersAbility Resources

VersAbility Resources is a nonprofit organization based in Hampton, Virginia, dedicated to empowering people of all abilities to thrive. For more than 70 years, we have provided innovative employment, workforce development, residential, community living, and business services that promote independence, inclusion, and opportunity.

Our team is passionate about making a meaningful impact by helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals while delivering high-quality services to our community, business partners, and government customers. At VersAbility, you'll join a mission-driven organization where your work changes lives and contributes to stronger, more inclusive communities.

Role Overview

This is more than a new position-it is an important investment in communication access and inclusion at VersAbility Resources.

VersAbility Resources is excited to welcome our first Sign Language Staff Interpreter, a permanent role dedicated to strengthening communication access for our Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees across the organization.

Rather than relying solely on interpreting support for individual meetings or events, this position creates consistent, ongoing access to a professional who understands our employees, our workplaces, and the environments in which our teams work. For our Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees, that means greater continuity and access during orientations, training, meetings, workplace conversations, and other important moments throughout their employment experience.

The Sign Language Staff Interpreter will provide professional American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpreting services across VersAbility locations, including Government Contract sites throughout Hampton Roads, while also providing virtual support to employees at geographically dispersed locations such as San Diego and Hawaii. This individual will help facilitate accurate, effective, and culturally responsive communication while respecting each employee's autonomy, communication preferences, confidentiality, and individual needs.

If you are an experienced interpreter who believes communication access is essential to an inclusive workplace and wants the opportunity to become a trusted, consistent part of an organization rather than moving from assignment to assignment, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What You'll Do

• Provide accurate, real-time, two-way interpretation between spoken English and ASL.
• Interpret workplace conversations, meetings, orientations, training, administrative discussions, healthcare-related interactions, technical information, and other organizational communications.
• Convey the complete meaning, intent, tone, context, and emotional nuance of communication rather than relying on word-for-word interpretation.
• Adapt interpreting approaches based on individual communication preferences, language proficiency, cultural considerations, and assignment needs.
• Provide interpreting support for regularly scheduled New Employee Orientation (NEO) and other organizational meetings, training, and events.
• Travel to VersAbility locations and Government Contract sites throughout Hampton Roads to provide on-site interpreting support.
• Provide virtual interpreting services for geographically dispersed VersAbility locations, including locations such as Hawaii and San Diego.
• Prepare for assignments by reviewing materials and becoming familiar with relevant terminology, acronyms, technical information, and subject matter.
• Collaborate with Deaf interpreters and other hearing interpreters during team-interpreting assignments.
• Coordinate appropriately with employees, managers, Human Resources, Supported Employment staff, and other stakeholders to support successful interpreting assignments.
• Maintain confidentiality, impartiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards consistent with applicable professional interpreting standards, including the RID Code of Professional Conduct.
• Maintain required schedules, records, certifications, credentials, security clearances, and professional qualifications.
• Participate in continuing education, professional development, meetings, and required training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of one (1) year of professional ASL/English interpreting experience.
• Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) Level III or above.
• Advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and spoken English.
• Strong understanding of Deaf culture, hearing culture, cultural norms, communication preferences, and culturally responsive interpreting practices.
• Knowledge of professional interpreting ethics, confidentiality, impartiality, professional boundaries, and the RID Code of Professional Conduct.
• Valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly between VersAbility locations and assigned Government Contract sites throughout Hampton Roads.
• REAL ID-compliant identification or valid U.S. Passport, or ability to obtain the required identification before the start date, for applicable military installation access.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required military installation/base access credentials and authorizations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance when required for an assigned Government Contract location.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, virtual meeting platforms, cameras, headsets, and other technology necessary for remote interpreting.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in American Sign Language/English Interpretation, Interpreter Education, ASL Studies, or a related field.
• Two to three years of professional interpreting experience.
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC).
• Experience interpreting in employment, government, healthcare, educational, technical, or other professional environments.

Schedule

This is a full-time, permanent position working 40 hours per week.

Monday-Friday | 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Because interpreting needs occur across different VersAbility programs, locations, and time zones, candidates must be flexible to adjust their schedule based on employee communication needs, interpreting assignments, orientations, meetings, training, organizational events, and operational requirements.

Regular local travel throughout Hampton Roads is required. The position will also provide virtual interpreting support for geographically dispersed VersAbility locations, including locations such as San Diego and Hawaii.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is a dynamic interpreting position rather than a role based in one work environment. Assignments may take place in professional offices, orientation and training environments, VersAbility facilities, community locations, Government Contract sites, military installations, and virtual environments.

Depending on the assignment, work environments may include changing lighting, varying temperatures, moderate to loud noise, distractions, outdoor conditions, or industrial and operational settings. Some assignments may involve lengthy, complex, technical, sensitive, or emotionally demanding communication.

The position requires sustained concentration and visual attention, continuous and repetitive use of the hands, fingers, wrists, arms, and shoulders for ASL, and the upper-body stamina necessary for extended interpreting assignments. Regular travel between work locations and frequent entry and exit from a vehicle are also required.

Candidates must be able to perform the essential duties and physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. VersAbility Resources provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable law.

Why Join Us?

• Help build something new. You will step into a newly created permanent role and help strengthen how VersAbility provides consistent communication access across the organization.
• Make an impact employees can experience every day. Your work will help Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees more fully access workplace communication, training, meetings, resources, and opportunities.
• Build continuity and trust. As a staff interpreter, you will have the opportunity to become familiar with our employees, terminology, teams, and work environments-supporting more consistent communication over time.
• Experience variety in your work. Assignments may take you from orientations and employee meetings to Government Contract environments, training sessions, virtual meetings, and other workplace settings.
• Use your profession to advance inclusion. Your expertise will directly support VersAbility's commitment to creating workplaces where employees of all abilities have meaningful access and opportunities to thrive.
• Grow with the role. As a new position within VersAbility, you will have the opportunity to help establish strong practices and contribute your professional perspective as our interpreting needs evolve.

Equal Opportunity Employer

VersAbility Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing fair and equitable employment opportunities. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We value diversity and encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Certain positions are performed under the federal AbilityOne Program and are subject to applicable contractual and program requirements."VersAbility Resources - Serving People with Disabilities of All Ages - is a national nonprofit organization based in Hampton, Virginia, committed to empowering people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive as active members of our communities. Serving over 1,500 individuals and their families annually, VersAbility offers a comprehensive range of programs and services, including early childhood, residential, day support, workforce training, and diverse employment opportunities.

VersAbility is committed to a drug-free workplace in line with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, ensuring a safe, productive environment. It also promotes equal opportunity for all, offering reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to perform job duties. For assistance with applications, people can contact 757-896-6461.