Job Opportunities

Executive Director: Telecommunications Relay Service Council

Job Description

The Telecommunications Relay Service Council (the Council) seeks a qualified individual to fill the part-time role of Executive Director, carrying out the powers and duties of the Council as required by law. The Council evaluates telecommunications relay service in the State and implements the Maine telecommunications relay service program as certified by the Federal Communications Commission. Maine Relay is a free statewide service that connects voice telephone users with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or have a speech disability. The service allows consumers to use specialized equipment (i.e. captioned telephone, TTY, VCO or HCO) to communicate with standard voice telephone users through specially trained relay operators (RO). This allows users to stay connected with family, co-workers, and friends. Relay services use specially trained relay operators to connect calls between TTY or VCO users and standard telephone users. Maine Relay Services are available 24 hours a day, every day, 365 days a year. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred candidates will have some college education and/or relevant life/work experience.

Skills, abilities, or knowledge required: 

Prior experience working with state agencies is preferred. A connection to the deaf/hard-of-hearing community or relay services in general would be an asset taking on these responsibilities but is not necessary. 

Budgeting knowledge and ability to prepare and submit an annual budget of the projected costs of the Council for the fiscal year. 

Strong writing skills are necessary to prepare any reports as needed including an annual report to the Secretary of State and an annual report to the Public Utilities Commission that details the activities of the Council, including all expenditures the Council has made from the fund and how all vendors that the Council contracts with for services were selected.

Strong communication skills are vital for working with the Council, public engagement, working with various state agencies and collaborating with legislative authorities.  

Familiarity with the state request for proposal (RFP) process and state contracts is important as this role would require assisting the Council with contract negotiations.

Your responsibilities would include but are not limited to the following:

The Council consists of 11 voting members. The Executive Director shall serve as a non-voting member of the Council in a part-time position.  The Executive Director would be under the direction of the Council. 

The Executive Director will:

  • Assist the Council with any potential agreements with one or more entities to provide relay services and to encourage use of telecommunications relay services. 
  • Work on organizing and funding projects designed to promote the use of telecommunications relay services, including but not limited to surveys, public forums, and events. 
  • Plan any development, administration, and funding of potential pilot projects to provide and promote access to telecommunications relay services. 
  • Process all invoices in a timely manner.
  • Attend all council meetings and subcommittee meetings as requested. The Council is required to meet at least 4 times during the calendar year. 
  • Arrange all meeting planning and preparation including but not limited to arranging for meeting space, ASL, CART services, zoom, preparing agendas, sending out agendas, writing up the minutes and sending to the Council members. 

Duties 

Perform all duties necessary to assist the council in performing its powers and duties which include the following: 

  • Evaluate telecommunications relay services in the State.
  • Implement the Maine telecommunications relay services program as certified by the FEC.
  • Develop and execute programs and policies as necessary including but not limited to the development of training standards and an evaluation of the services being provided, including the quality and availability of those services.
  • Assist the Council by overseeing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the Maine Relay Service in consultation with the division of purchases within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services to develop a process for entering into such agreements that recognizes the limited number of entities providing the services sought by the Council. The Executive Director and the Council will ensure that the RFP meets all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for state Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). This includes participating in calls with relay providers to implement services and ensuring that all parties involved are aware of their respective responsibilities.
  • Work with vendors on contract negotiations and approval of the contract. 
  • Act as the Point of Contact (POC) for the vendors assigned state account manager/outreach coordinator/customer relations manager.  
  • Work with the assigned relay account manager/outreach coordinator/customer relations manager to complete and submit reports.
  • Submit and communicate with the Governor’s office regarding filling council vacancy appointments and reminding members of reappointment dates. 
  • Assist the Council by keeping up with changes and national trends regarding relay services including attending national conferences as determined by the Council.  
  • Prepare any and all other reports as needed. 
  • Manage and update the TRS Council website.

Location: Hybrid, with travel to Augusta as needed. Limited travel throughout Maine. Out of state travel to conferences approximately 2x/year.

Compensation: The compensation range is $55,000 - $65,000, depending on experience.

Schedule: Part-time, 25-30 hours per week. 

How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to MeTelComRelaySvc@maine.gov by April 26, 2024.