DEAF & HARD OF HEARING SPECIALIST TRAINEE

Code: 64897 State Non-Competitive Range: P95 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $58,222.22 - $60,876.32/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the close supervision of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist 3 or other division supervisor, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training, while learning how to assist the community and agencies in outreach efforts to enable clients with hearing loss to take full advantage of the medical, social, vocational, economic, legal, and personal services available; learns to assist with providing consultation and coordination of communication access services and helps provide information, guidance, and direction to citizens of New Jersey who may be deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened or deaf-blind; does other related duties as required. NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Examples of work

Under close supervision, as a trainee and productive worker: Receives training in performing the work involved in establishing and operating regional assistive device displays, device loaner libraries and disability-specific information activities for people with hearing loss. Learns to provide technical assistance, training and resource information to consumers, professionals and medical personnel who have contact with individuals with hearing loss and learns how to consult with clients, families, agencies, businesses on issues related to deafness, hearing loss and access. Learns to demonstrate assistive devices which facilitate access, helps provide information and advice on how to select/use assistive technology, and participates in workshops and conferences on relevant issues pertaining to and communicating effectively with people with hearing loss. May assist in administering the interpreter screening process and learns how to conduct interviews and provide recommendations to the communication access unit regarding candidates' inclusion on the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreter Referral lists as authorized by the Director. Learns how to provide opportunities for consultation with clients, families, agencies, and businesses on issues related to deafness, hearing loss and access. Learns to guide and coordinate assistance to schools, hospitals, courts, businesses, theaters, assisted living centers, social services, and other settings for accessibility and communication access services. Assists with outreach to inform prospective interpreters of the services of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreter Referral Service and helps to provide an overview of the Interpreter screening process. Learns how to contact clients with hearing loss requiring services; visits organizations of the deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened or deaf-blind to determine the needs of the community; helps to inform citizens with hearing loss of the goals and objectives of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and encourages them to seek and utilize the services of the Division, and other government and private agencies. Learns to compile technical and statistical information to assess communication access goals and objectives with respect to organizational agreements, departmental regulations, and standard operating procedures. Learns how to prepare charts and graphs for inclusion and distribution in official Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing documents and presentations. Learns how to arrange and conduct public information and community awareness activities, educational programs, symposia, workshops and in-service training for constituents, organizations and professionals serving people with hearing loss. Learns how to organize programming of special division events, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Day, conferences, town meetings, etc. Learns to conduct surveys and interviews, designing questionnaires, data collection tools and various forms to obtain feedback to assess and address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing communities. Learns to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with other public service agencies; and participates in referring clients and receiving referrals; learns to inform public and private entities of their responsibilities to citizens with hearing loss as mandated by statutes. Learns to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with private organizations and agencies to facilitate services for citizens with hearing loss when needs cannot be met by public agencies both at the state and local levels; works with private organizations and agencies to seek ways to supplement the services of public agencies in the interest of citizens who may be deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind; makes appropriate referrals. Learns how to assist individuals and agencies in obtaining professional interpreting services and other communication access services through the Division's Interpreter Referral/Communication Access Unit; learns to instruct them with the most effective use of the interpreters/Computer Aided Real-Time Transcription (CART), and Assistive Listening Devices (ALD's). Learns how to assist individuals and agencies in obtaining other appropriate accommodations to achieve effective communication such as assistive-listening devices and captioning. Cooperates with educational institutions in the development of interpreter training, sign language programs, provides information about the availability of and training in utilizing assistive listening equipment and captioning, and the development of continuing education programs; helps to organize workshops or seminars for groups in need of information or advice about hearing loss. Assists higher level staff regarding presentations to various groups, schools, and organizations. Participates in providing training, advocacy and referrals to auxiliary resources and services for consumers, helps to service providers and groups seeking assistance in their efforts to comply with access services as specified by Federal and State laws. Attends organizational meetings of consumers, service providers and auxiliary aid vendor groups, and represents the Division. Learns how to prepare comprehensive statistical information and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Learns how to maintain required records, reports, and files. Learns how to write articles and news releases for public information related to program activities. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the problems faced by individuals who may be deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened or deaf-blind in the areas of education, employment, vocational training, psychological adjustment, housing, and legal matters. Knowledge of the various modes of communication used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing to assess and plan for a comprehensive delivery program. Knowledge of the administration of interpreter/communication access services to the public. Knowledge of methods used to interpret for the deaf and hard of hearing. Knowledge of the various assistive listening devices available. Ability to read, understand, and interpret the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and New Jersey statutes concerning the provision of services to persons with hearing loss. Ability to effectively identify and match client's communication needs. Ability to coordinate the assignment of interpreters to agencies, businesses, and individuals in need of this service. Ability to develop a plan and means of evaluation of a state-wide interpreter service. Ability to investigate the feasibility of varied funding sources for interpreting services. Ability to effectively interact with public and private agencies to foster utilization of interpreting services for consumers with hearing loss. Ability to effectively discuss the use of sign language interpreters and assistive devices with public and private agencies and individuals. Ability to read and understand the philosophy and purposes of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the services provided by this agency. Ability to read and understand the rules, regulations, policies, and programs of the Department of Human Services to inform persons with hearing loss of the services available to them. Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationship with agencies, clients, and the public. Ability to develop and deliver effective services to clients. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT: Appointees who successfully complete the twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for advancement to the title of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist 1 in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist 1 shall be considered as cause for separation.

Note

Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the position. Please refer to the Advancement section located at the bottom of this title specification for a comprehensive list of approved titles connected to this trainee title. Experience must be related to the journeyman title associated with the position. OR Possession of bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in courses related to deafness and/or hearing loss (audiology, sign language, interpreting, psychology, sociology, social work, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or another related program). "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions. SPECIAL SKILLS: Appointees must be able to communicate effectively in the language of the deaf, American Sign Language, sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. NOTE: Appointees must possess a National Associate of the Deaf Certificate (NAD), Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certificate (RID), National Interpreter Credentials (NIC) or similar certification may be required. The responsibility for ensuring appointees possess one of the above stated certifications rests with the Appointing Authority.