ASL Coordinator

Location: Bellevue, Washington 98004

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Department: Sign Language Services

Position Summary

Universal Language Service is seeking a full-time ASL Coordinator to oversee the daily scheduling and coordination of sign language interpreting services for private-sector customers and Washington State services.

This position coordinates in-person and virtual services across multiple settings and sign language modalities, including ASL, Deaf Interpreter/CDI services, Close Vision, Tactile, ProTactile, and foreign sign language services. The ASL Coordinator communicates closely with staff ASL interpreters, 1099 independent contractors, customers, state representatives, and internal departments to ensure requests are handled accurately and efficiently.

The ideal candidate has experience working within or alongside the Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing communities and understands sign language interpreting services. Interpreting experience and professional credentials are preferred. Interpreting will be a limited and secondary function of this position, and the employee may occasionally be required to assist with assignments for which they possess the required qualifications, credentials, and experience.

This position requires strong critical thinking, sound judgment, clear communication, and the ability to resolve scheduling challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for requesters and customers seeking ASL and other sign language interpreting services.
• Take ownership of sign language service requests from initial entry through scheduling, confirmation, completion, and follow-up.
• Meet and exceed daily fill-rate goals for sign language interpreter orders.
• Coordinate in-person and virtual sign language interpreting services for private-sector customers and Washington State agencies.
• Coordinate ASL and specialized communication modalities, including Deaf Interpreter/CDI, Close Vision, Tactile, ProTactile, and foreign sign language services.
• Communicate regularly with staff interpreters, 1099 independent contractors, customers, state representatives, and internal teams.
• Match interpreters to assignments based on qualifications, credentials, experience, communication modality, location, availability, and customer needs.
• Identify assignments requiring specialized credentials, a Deaf Interpreter, or a team of interpreters and coordinate appropriate coverage.
• Monitor pending and unfilled requests, use effective scheduling strategies, and escalate coverage concerns when necessary.
• Confirm that required authorizations and approvals are obtained for travel, extended appointments, specialized services, and other exceptional circumstances.
• Monitor sign language scheduling inboxes and respond promptly to questions and requests.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with interpreters and members of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
• Collaborate with Interpreter Accounts to support interpreter engagement, and retention.
• Assist with resolving interpreter and customer concerns in accordance with RID standards and professional practices.
• Attend virtual and local in-person events related to ASL, sign language interpreting, and the Deaf community.
• Participate in internal, customer, and state meetings as needed.
• Support other scheduling and operational functions when business needs require.
• Provide occasional interpreting coverage, as needed, when appropriately qualified and credentialed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience coordinating interpreting services, scheduling professional services, or performing comparable operational work.
• Knowledge of or meaningful experience working with the Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing communities.
• Understanding of Deaf culture, communication access, and professional interpreting practices.
• Strong attention to detail, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, urgent requests, and changing circumstances.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and scheduling or database systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scheduling ASL, Deaf Interpreter/CDI, Tactile, ProTactile, Close Vision, or foreign sign language services.
• Professional ASL interpreter certification or credential, such as NIC, CI/CT, NAD IV or V, BEI, or another recognized credential.
• Established relationships within the local Deaf community or sign language interpreting community.
• Experience using the Washington State ODHH interpreter scheduling system preferred.

Work Environment and Schedule

• Full-time position based at the Universal Language Service office in Bellevue, Washington. Remote work is not permitted.
• Monday through Friday, with flexibility based on business needs.
• Occasional evening, weekend, or after-hours availability may be required for urgent scheduling matters or events.
• Local travel may occasionally be required for customer meetings, conferences, community events, or interpreting assignments.

About Universal Language Service

Universal Language Service provides professional interpreting and translation solutions through in-person interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting, Over-the-Phone Interpreting, and document translation services. We are committed to delivering reliable communication access while building strong relationships with interpreters, customers, state partners, and the communities we serve.

Universal Language Service celebrates diversity and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.