Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Community Coordinator

Valley Mountain Regional Center is excited to offer an outstanding opportunity for a passionate and collaborative professional to join our team as a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator.

In this role, you will help improve access, communication, and quality of services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and have developmental disabilities. Working closely with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), community partners, service providers, and VMRC staff, you will lead resource development, provide training and technical expertise, and advocate for accessible, person-centered services throughout our five-county catchment area.

What You Will Do:

Advance Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

- Develop and expand community resources and specialized services for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

- Partner with community agencies, advocacy organizations, vendors, and DDS to improve access and service quality.

- Identify unmet needs and lead resource development initiatives throughout VMRC's service area.

Provide Training and Technical Expertise

- Serve as the subject matter expert for VMRC staff on Deaf and Hard of Hearing services and accommodations.

- Develop and deliver training on communication access, best practices, and regulatory requirements.

- Support communication assessments and ensure recommendations are incorporated into Individual Program Plans (IPPs).

Strengthen Community Partnerships

- Collaborate with regional centers, DDS, Community Care Licensing, and service providers to implement statewide initiatives and best practices.

- Participate in vendor development, Request for Proposal (RFP) processes, and program evaluation.

- Serve as the primary local contact for individuals, families, and advocacy organizations.

Ensure Quality and Compliance

- Monitor service quality, vendor performance, and regulatory compliance.

- Support interpreter recruitment, orientation, and quality evaluation.

- Assist with contract management, data integrity, corrective action planning, and quality assurance activities.

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and monitor specialized Deaf and Hard of Hearing resources across VMRC's five-county service area.

- Provide consultation and technical assistance to staff, vendors, and community partners.

- Coordinate communication assessments and promote effective communication accommodations.

- Evaluate programs, monitor compliance with Title 17 and the Lanterman Act, and recommend improvements.

- Collaborate with DDS and regional center partners on statewide initiatives and best practices.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Make a Meaningful Difference: Help eliminate communication barriers and improve access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Purpose-Driven Work: Lead innovative resource development and advocate for equitable, person-centered services throughout the community.

Collaborative Environment: Work alongside dedicated professionals, community partners, and statewide leaders committed to improving lives.

Professional Growth: Expand your expertise through statewide collaboration, specialized training, and leadership opportunities.

To view the complete Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Coordinator job description, click here: Deaf and HOH Community Coordinator

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

1. American Sign Language.

2. Sensitivity to and understanding of the 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, clients, licensing, DDS, and stakeholders, including individuals of various ages, disabilities, socio-economic and ethnic groups.

Skills & Abilities to:

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 :

The following requirements generally demonstrate possession of the minimum requisite knowledge and ability necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Associate’s degree from an accredited college

- Two years’ experience with the deaf and hard of hearing community

- or equivalent combination of education and experience

- Fluency in American Sign Language required.

Preferred 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.

- The ideal candidate is fully immersed in the deaf community .

Salary Range: $49,524.80 - $66,367.97

VMRC supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all staff.  We have a zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment in our agency. Likewise, Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) is committed to complying with all laws that protect qualified individuals with disabilities.