Are you interested in utilizing your skills and expertise to improve accessibility and support academic pursuits at a major university? Are you interested in working in a fast-paced, diverse, and challenging environment? Join Accessibility Resources as a Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) writer providing CART services to members of the campus community.
Position Summary: The CART writer serves as a member of Accessibility Resources on the Communication Access Team and reports to the Supervisor of CART and Interpreting Services. The incumbent provides CART services, including realtime captioning and production of transcripts, to individuals with disabilities including students, employees, and visitors of the university. The incumbent facilitates communication by utilizing court reporting methods, a steno machine, realtime technology, software, and a laptop computer or tablet to create realtime, word-for-word text of spoken language. This position will primarily interact with individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, but may also provide services for other documented disabilities. Services will primarily be rendered in the classroom across varying degree programs including undergraduate and graduate studies, and will also include a range of university events. Contributes to the greater university community through service and consistently aims to the highest standards of professionalism. This position is 80% FTE. Hours will follow a flex schedule and may vary semester-to-semester. Schedule will run August - May. CART writer is expected to provide his/her own equipment (steno machine and software).
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services to individuals utilizing court reporting methods, a steno machine, realtime technology, software, and a laptop or tablet to instantly render verbatim transcription of spoken language and extraneous noises in a variety of campus settings (i.e. classroom, educational functions, interviews, and/or campus events).
- Utilize textbooks, prepared presentations, and other search tools to effectively build software dictionary in order to provide accurate CART services.
- Edit notes and transcripts in a timely manner and deliver to consumer of service as requested.
- Collaborate with consumer to determine most appropriate manner to allow for concurrent participation in the communication process including options to voice questions or comments as entered into the software platform by the consumer and determining best seating arrangement.
- Maintain knowledge and abilities to fully utilize realtime technology and software necessary for providing CART services and engages in professional development opportunities to maintain current skill set and identify industry advancements.
- Maintain compliance with federal and state mandates regarding accommodation of students with disabilities including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Comply with the National Court Reporter Association (NCRA) Code of Professional Ethics.
- Coordinate and plan service delivery schedule for CART writers and interpreters, (i.e. scheduling of services, processing invoices, procurement of Personal Service Contracts, etc.) for all UC campuses as needed with special attention to ad hoc service requests.
- Participate in research studies with other members of the department, students, and/or collaborations with other departments/units to advance service provisions on campus.
- Collaborate with faculty and college departments to gain understanding of relevant concepts to better facilitate CART services for students who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or have other documented disabilities and are registered with Accessibility Resources.
- Act as liaison with appropriate parties, internal and/or external to the University, participate in project development, and collaborations.
- Coordinate Accessibility Resources sponsored workshops benefiting professional and aspiring CART writers.
- Some nights and weekends may be required. Must be available on-call during all hours when service providers are working.
- May develop and implement policies and procedures.
- May provide direct supervision to service providers under a Personal Service Contract and/or part time CART writers.
- Perform related duties based on departmental need(s) as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associates degree with three (3) years experience; -OR- five (5) years experience. Experience must be in CART services, court reporting or other related experience supporting disability services.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Thorough knowledge of court reporting methods and theories, realtime software and technology, and realtime captioning computer systems and equipment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the English language, including grammatical structures, syntax, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Ability to write at 96% accuracy at 180 words per minute.
- Ability to effectively listen for continuity, sense, and details while translating.
- Provide steno machine and necessary software to provide CART services and hold knowledge to operate machine and software.
- Possession of advanced editing skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Completion of a court reporting program.
- Hold CCP, CBC, and/or CRR certifications.
- In-depth familiarity of Deaf culture.
- Understanding of ADA and Section 504 requirements and accommodations.
- Proficiency in using, maintaining, and troubleshooting court reporting steno equipment, realtime software, and computer systems and equipment.
- Ability to proficiently write in steno while providing a realtime translation free of errors using punctuation and sustaining accuracy in fast-paced, stressful situations.
- Ability to work effectively with consumers.
- High level of organizational skills, ability to work independently with minimal direction, manage competing time demands, and excellent communication skills.
- Remote CART experience a plus.
- Conversational American Sign Language (ASL) skills a plus.
Candidates invited to interview are required to complete and pass a skills assessment.
The University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application you will be asked to include a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.
As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).
The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / M / F / Veteran / Disabled.
Katherine W. Vance, MS, NIC, SC:L Supervisor, CART and Interpreting Services | University of Cincinnati o: (513) 556-6139 | vp: (513) 800-1510 | m: (703) 508-2721 | Communication Access Team