Program Director, Language Access

Job DescriptionTHE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $115,000.00 - $120,000.00The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community. The Division of External Affairs (DEA) works with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the agency speaks with one, consistent voice regarding the priorities of ACS and promotes and supports all ACS divisions with their programs and initiatives. The division includes the Offices of Communications and Marketing, Advocacy, Intergovernmental Affairs, Interagency Affairs, and the Immigrant Services and Language Affairs unit.The Office of Immigrant Services and Language Affairs (ISLA), within DEA, supports ACS’ efforts to (1) prevent discrimination against and ensure equal access to ACS programs and services for immigrant and limited English proficient (LEP) youth and families in NYC, and (2) encourage inclusion in policy and program decision-making for immigrant and limited English proficient (LEP) constituents. Within ISLA, the language access team manages the language access contracts, ensures ACS’ compliance with language access laws, and develops and drives the implementation of strategic projects to strengthen access to services for LEP youth, families, and communities. The language access team provides training, policy guidance, and technical assistance to ACS and provider agencies on language access issues, both generally and in response to case-specific inquiries and represents ACS before other government agencies and the community, including working groups, taskforces, community engagement events, and specific inquiries pertaining to ACS policy and practices related to immigrant and LEP constituents. ISLA is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented and collaborative team member to be the Program Director for Language Access Services. This position is responsible for ensuring that the children, youth, parents and families served by ACS and our prevention and foster care providers have access to interpretation and translation services by managing the contracts, invoices, billings, payments, and quality assurance for contracts. The position will also include the implementation of new a contract for these services, and a focus on continued quality enhancements.Under the supervision of the Director of Immigrant Services and Language Affairs (ISLA), the Program Director will ensure that language access services are provided in a timely and efficient manner. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position will include, but will not be limited to:

Oversee the management of ACS language access contracts, including in-person interpretation, on-site Spanish interpretation, sign language interpretation, telephonic interpretation, and document translation.

Ensure quality services for LEP clients and the deaf/hard of hearing community are provided in a timely and efficient manner.

Supervise the Language Access Contract Manager and additional Language Access staff, such as interns and/or Reservist part-time workers.

Manage Language Access projects, which can include, but are not limited to expanding language access coverage, overseeing the language access Request for Proposals (RFP) process, and implementing new contracts, projects, and technologies.

Help children, youth and families seeking asylum through various projects and initiatives.

Provide data on services needed for annual reports to the Director of ISLA.

Track all requests for interpretation and translation services from across ACS divisions and provider agencies and ensure ACS divisions’ are in compliance with Local Law 30.

Liaise with each ACS division language access point-person to ensure that the division is translating its most-commonly used public-facing documents and storing the translations in an accessible way.

Track the use of spending on language access contracts, and ensure that requests for additional funds are made, if necessary, through New Needs requests and contract amendments.

Review RFP submissions, implement new language access contracts, and ensure that invoices are verified and paid within required timeframes.

Maintain a tracking and reporting system to collect accurate information on complaints and/or requests for the language access contractors; collected feedback on interpretation and translations services may be shared with the contractors to improve service going forward.

Conduct periodic meetings with all parties using the ACS language access contracts, including ACS staff, community members, and the contractors themselves.

Provide trainings for staff that use Language Access Services.

Assist internal stakeholders on policies and procedures for using language access services to communicate with LEP clients and the deaf/hard of hearing community and expanding those services as needed.

TO APPLY:

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID #644928

NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, OR PERSONAL INQUIRES PERMITTED

NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED

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Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.Qualifications

For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:

A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or

Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE: Probationary Period Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.Additional InformationThe City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.