Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator

31-Oct-2024

Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator

University Administration

67289BR

Job Summary

University Disability Resources (UDR) provides leadership to University efforts to ensure an accessible, welcoming working and learning environment for individuals with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. UDR serves as a central resource on disability-related information, procedures and services for the University community and provides expertise in the development, implementation, and acquisition of standard disability-related University practices, procedures and resources. 

Position Description

The Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator will join a dedicated team of accessibility professionals in Harvard University Disability Resources (UDR). UDR provides leadership to University efforts to ensure an accessible, welcoming working and learning environment for individuals with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. UDR serves as a central resource on disability-related information, procedures and services for the University community and provides expertise in the development, implementation, and acquisition of standard disability-related University practices, procedures and resources.  

Position description

Reporting to the Associate Director of Harvard UDR, the Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator is a two-year term, full-time benefited position that provides real-time meaning for meaning captions or transcriptions for students and other Harvard affiliates with disabilities in classes, academic activities, and at University events. The Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator also liaise with third-party agencies to schedule and coordinate additional captioning services such as Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) to facilitate the provision of accommodations for the University community.  

 This primarily on-site position will work on-site across classrooms and meeting spaces of Harvard University’s campuses located in Cambridge and Boston, MA and the surrounding area. Some aspects of the role, including the scheduling and coordination of additional captioning services, may be done remotely.  

The Speech to Text Provider and Coordinator position will also involve education of community members on the speech to text provider role and how to work effectively and appropriately with captioners. It will include coordinating with faculty and teaching staff to obtain materials necessary to prepare for captioning/transcribing  content.

Basic Qualifications

• Proficient in use of a stenographic machine, laptop and captioning software to provide realtime word-for-word transcriptions of spoken English into text, not summarized, in academic settings. Real-time captioning should be provided at a minimum of 200 words per minute with at least 98.5% accuracy, effectively listening for continuity, sense, and detail.
• Ability to hear spoken English. 
• Certified Realtime Captioner (CRR); Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR); or, Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) through the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
• Ability to perform the following: sit for extended periods of time, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, kneeling, reaching, carrying objects (up to 20 pounds).

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• 2 or more years CART captioning experience in a higher education setting is preferred. 
• Working knowledge of or the ability to learn the vocabulary, terminology, and basic information in a variety of subjects commonly found in a university environment.
• Administrative, coordinating and recordkeeping skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Experience working in advanced academic environments is preferred. 
• Ability to navigate in a decentralized environment.  
• Prior attendance at an institution of higher education is not required but is preferred to demonstrate familiarity with the various settings and protocols associated with this work. 
• Previous captioning experience in a post-secondary setting is preferred. 

Additional Information

This position is for a two year term. Successful candidates should be prepared to work at Harvard for the full two years of the term. The position may or may not be extended, after that two year term. 

Harvard Human Resources is committed to enabling Harvard’s world changing mission through inclusive excellence in Human Resources practices. We welcome applicants who bring varied experiences, backgrounds, and expertise to advance the work of the department in service to Harvard’s mission.  

Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter along with a 1-2 paragraph statement describing how you have worked to create and foster an inclusive work environment.

Please note that Harvard University cannot provide Visa Sponsorship or Work Authorization for this position.

Work Format Details

This role requires as many of four days per week on our Cambridge, Massachusetts Campus 

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services, Human Resources

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405011 Stud Serv Professional (N)

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Department

University Disability Resources

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2026

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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