CSD Career Opportunities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work collaboratively with the President and CSD leadership team to conceptualize and promulgate a clear message, strategy, and plan for the company to achieve its goals.
• Serve as the chief evangelist of CSD products, programs, and services both internally and externally
• Partner with the VP of Business Development to support revenue acquisition and retention objectives
• Responsible for the development and execution of global and product-specific marketing plans. Use cross-functional teams to review and fortify plans as they are formulated.
• Research and remain apprised of external factors impacting CSD’s success (competition, emerging technology, government and regulatory influence, shifts in consumer behavior). Use this intelligence to guide the planning and decision-making process.
• Supervise the design and deployment of national marketing campaigns.
• Oversee the strategy, form, and function of more than 25 different websites including the company’s corporate website.
• Guide the company’s use of social media to effectively promote brand and product awareness.
• Manage an assembly of internal and external resources to support creative and interactive media development
• Direct the spectrum of field marketing resources that interface with customers and consumers of CSD products and services in a variety of settings both large and small. This involves a high degree of logistical coordination and resource management.
• Create a next-generation model for harvesting customer data responsibly and using information technology resources to parse data to support decision-making.
• Analyze the effectiveness of marketing activities and reshape campaign initiatives accordingly to optimize outcome.
• Strengthen the integrity of the CSD brand and the entirety of its product and service suite by introducing clear marketing guidelines and resources for employees to utilize in their day to day interaction with stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
To perform the essential functions of this position successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and manage projects independently
• Resourcefulness in solving problems
• Excellent professionalism and judgment
• Strong work ethic
• Effective oral and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills, communications skills, the ability to multi-task, and most importantly, the ability to work well in a team.
• Hands-on, goal-oriented, “can do” mentality

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ten to fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or creative positions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Design, or related area of study is required
• Proven experience in developing and deploying marketing plans and promotional campaigns
• Experience in supervising a team of sales, marketing, or creative personnel
• Solid background in developing and managing marketing budgets effectively
• Knowledge in business applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook; graphics programs such as Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop and Illustrator; the ability and willingness to learn new software applications.
• Must have solid experience in the use of various mainstream and cutting edge social media platforms.  A strong personal social media experience on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google + or FB is especially valuable.
• Experience in project management a plus
• Fluency in American Sign Language.
• Experience in serving customer segments with unique or specialized needs, such as Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Send resume and cover letter to:
Christina Kokenge, HR Director
ckokenge@c-s-d.org

An EOE committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace

Essential Functions:

• Enhance the organization’s position as a premier provider of innovative solutions for deaf and hard of hearing consumers through aggressive sales of our robust, next-generation communications platform that provides quality voice, text, and video transmissions in a scalable, virtual, on-demand environment.
• Responsible for the development and evolution of strategic and detailed sales plans for each of CSD’s existing business products and services.  Set annual sales and revenue goals for each product and service line.
• Direct a staff of business development representatives to ensure execution of the sales and marketing plans that drive revenue growth.  This includes performance management and development.
• Be the driving force in the development of the work ethic, culture and values of the sales and business development group. Through personal example, establish the style and approach which will characterize CSD’s mission and culture.
• Accountable for the evaluation of product and service pricing models.  Act as the lead analyst for evaluating bids and fixed pricing structures to ensure that they are positioned optimally for business growth as well as the financial health of the company.  This responsibility will involve a close collaboration with the CSD finance department.
• Coordinate the creation and delivery of all new business proposals, managing complex contract negotiations
• Supervise CSD’s global expansion including applicable product marketing and sales activity.
• As necessary, facilitate the creation and maintenance of product management teams to enhance cross-functional and interdepartmental communication as it relates to the activities of a single product or service. Collaborate with other divisional leaders and formulate a joint approach on product and service design and delivery.
• Communicate out respective divisional business development updates and accomplishments on a consistent basis. (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
• Either directly or through your staff, actively and aggressively prospect for new clients by generating new leads and/or researching sales sources.  Serve as a portal for all new business opportunities and ideas for enhancing existing products and services, making recommendations as to which opportunities and enhancements should be pursued.
• Create and manage a sales funnel, turning potential leads and opportunities into quantifiable results.
• Works with the President to identify and resolve structural inefficiencies and resource limitations to allow all CSD business groups to be successful in achieving revenue growth.
• Researches the external environment to identify market forces and external environmental factors (economic, technological, and political) that can impact CSD’s existing array of business products and develop and maintain current competitive analysis of all of CSD’s business products.
• Interacts regularly with external networking groups to support the development of productive business relationships to support the overall welfare of the CSD organization.
• Attend industry events and conferences in order to keep apprised of new products and services.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Marketing or related area of study or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•  10-15 years of experience with a combination of business development and progressively responsible sales management experience within the Contact Center and/or Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services arena.
• Experience recruiting, training and managing a high caliber team of sales professionals
• Extensive experience in developing new business proposals, delivering sales presentations and closing the sale.
• Proven strategic mindset; strong analytical skills
• Ability to effectively manage and cultivate relationships with prospective and existing customers
• Ability to influence and facilitate cross-functional teams
• A high level of computer literacy and an intermediate to advanced knowledge of MS Office applications
• Ability to communicate in American Sign Language
• Willing to travel domestically as well as a potential for international.  Travel requirement is expected to be 50%.

Salary:  Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Retirement Program, Paid Time Off (PTO), Short Term Disability, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program.

Application Deadline:  January 16, 2012

Apply On-line at www.c-s-d.org or send resume and cover letter to:
Christina Kokenge
Communication Service for the Deaf
102 N Krohn Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 782-8454 (FAX)

An EOE committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace

Below is the press release sent to media in Parsons, Kan.

For an updated map of PAV locations, go to http://www.projectendeavor.com/PAV.aspx.

CSD’s Project Endeavor Brings Videophone Accessibility to SKIL

Thanks to Project Endeavor, Public Access Videophones for deaf and hard of hearing people are being installed nationwide in community anchors like Independent Living Centers.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Nov. 7, 2011) — CSD staff installed a Public Access Videophone (PAV) for public use at SKIL, located at 110 S. 18th St., in Parsons, Kan.

As part of Project Endeavor, CSD has been funded to install a limited number of PAVs at private, nonprofit organizations around the nation. These are high-quality, durable videophones, and this device allows deaf and hard of hearing people to make point to point, video relay service (VRS) and telecommunications relay service calls, or use the Internet to check e-mail, etc. CSD provides and installs PAVs at no cost to the organization or the consumer.

Back in July 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced CSD was awarded a multi-million dollar grant to make discounted high speed Internet accessible to the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing population, and the PAV is an integral part of the project. CSD titled this new program “Project Endeavor” (www.projectendeavor.com).

“CSD, per Project Endeavor, is going to place approximately 200 of these PAV units in community anchors like deaf schools, vocational rehabilitation offices, and independent living centers, for instance,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “It’s such a boon for deaf people — for deaf consumers — to be able to enter these public facilities and have the opportunity to use a PAV to make VRS, TRS or point to point video calls. The organizations that provide the PAV for their consumers are proving that they aren’t only interested in making their facilities ‘physically’ accessible, but ‘communication’ accessible as well.”

Besides the PAV, eligible deaf and hard of hearing people can pick up new technology like the iPad2, Toshiba Thrive, Sprint handhelds, and even more, for up to 50 percent off retail prices. Subsidized broadband plans are also available. It’s all part of this groundbreaking program that brings Internet access to deaf and hard of hearing people, maximizes that access, and works towards sustaining long-term access once Project Endeavor comes to completion.

For more information about the PAV and Project Endeavor, go to www.projectendeavor.com. For more information about CSD, go to www.c-s-d.org. You can also find more information about SKIL at www.skilonline.com.

Position Description:
This position will be responsible for streamlining CSD’s current video conferencing infrastructure into a more robust, singular system using recently acquired Polycom equipment. Currently, CSD has multiple platforms for video conferencing (Vidyo and NEFSIS) and is working to consolidate the service to a single Polycom system. The video core consists of Polycom Videoconferencing equipment; Polycom RMX 2000 Bridge, CMA 5000 Gatekeeper and VBP 5300e & VBP 6400s for registered and unregistered Internet connections.
Desktop equipment consists of Polycom (V700 and HDX4000), Tandberg (340 and 150) and older, legacy IP-based videophones (such as D-Link DVC1000 and Sorenson VP200). Software clients consist of Polycom PVX and a host of deaf-friendly software-based videophones (Z4 and P3, et al).

Essential Functions:

• Design, test, implement and support analog and /or digital hardware for video processing and interfacing products.
• Research / specify new components, guiding design on new projects, support existing infrastructure, interface and collaborate with other design engineers, and interface with project managers during product design and implementation cycles.
• Standardize and document core equipment and end point configurations
• Test all end points (point to point/bridge) to identify and resolve system issues
• Test and optimize network settings (QOS, speed, IP network design, backup lines)
• Document system settings and troubleshooting procedures
• Work with Project Mangers to develop an implementation plan for new projects and implementations, identifying milestone goals and dates
• Evaluate results to ensure objectives and operating requirements are met and are in line with the needs and mission of the organization.
• Prepare RFP (Request for Proposal) responses for new business acquisition as it relates to the telecommunication system, when necessary.
• Provide mentoring, training, and support for the technical and sales staff as necessary.
• Provide support for Polycom-connected technology systems through local and remote subject matter experts

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Computer Science related field preferred, but combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience with high speed digital video circuits
• Knowledge of analog and digital video interface standards
• Ability to analyze and diagnose issues with video quality and video connections/handshaking
• Experience with mixed analog/IP audio and digital video
• Knowledge of hardware/ software partitioning relative to video processing
• Excellent communication skills, (written, and verbal)
• Strong attention to details, highly organized, computer literate
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced professional office environment
• Knowledge of video/voice over IP communication standards (i.e. H.323, H.264, SIP, G7xx, et al)
• American Sign Language and knowledge of Deaf Culture desirable.
• Willing to work flexible hours including being on call 24/7 occasionally.

Learn more at www.c-s-d.org/jobopportunities

Community education, deaf domestic violence and community support programs the focus of the campaign to raise funds for CSD’s unique and critical services provided for the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing population.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Sept. 26, 2011) — In June, CSD announced that Academy Award Winner for Best Actress Award, producer, author and activist Marlee Matlin will make an appearance at the “Grow With CSD” event, a fundraiser for CSD programs that assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families in gaining equal access to services, communication, education and the social and economic opportunities so many others take for granted. Today, CSD is proud to announce Sprint as the Platinum Sponsor.

On Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minn., CSD will host the awareness and fundraising event “Grow With CSD,” complete with a children’s performance, a presentation from Matlin, a book signing, a press conference, an “Inspiration Lunch,” sponsor recognition and a lunch and mingle. Sprint’s public and financial support of the Grow With CSD event has ensured the fundraising event’s success.

“We are proud to be a Platinum sponsor of the ‘Grow with CSD’ endeavor. CSD has been a long-standing vendor of Sprint’s telecommunications relay services, and we see great value in supporting the provision of social services, particularly for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. We look forward to the awareness this event will bring to important community services,” said Mike Ellis, the National Sprint Relay Director.

“CSD and Sprint have over a 20-year relationship working as partners in the telecommunications relay service industry,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “Our organizations also share a unified belief that communication access is a human right, and we are honored that Sprint is taking that shared belief to a new level, supporting CSD’s programs that advocate for, educate and empower deaf and hard of hearing consumers.”

CSD is currently seeking various levels of sponsorship for the event. There is one Presenting Level sponsorship available, one Platinum Level sponsorship available, and multiple sponsorships below the premiere sponsorships. For more information on the “Grow With CSD” event, please contact Darlene Zangara, CSD senior vice president/Centers of Excellence, via e-mail at dzangara@c-s-d.org or by phone at (605) 540-4157.

For more information about CSD, go to www.c-s-d.org, and for Sprint, go to www.sprint.com.

Community education, deaf domestic violence and community support programs the focus of the campaign to raise funds for CSD’s unique and critical services provided for the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing population.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Sept. 19, 2011) — In June, CSD announced that Academy Award Winner for Best Actress Award, producer, author and activist Marlee Matlin will make an appearance at the “Grow With CSD” event, a fundraiser for CSD programs that assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families in gaining equal access to services, communication, education and the social and economic opportunities so many others take for granted. Today, CSD is proud to announce ZVRS as one of the Bronze Sponsors.

“As we’ve grown into our own independent brand, we’ve never forgotten the core mission from our CSD roots,” said Sean Belanger, ZVRS chief executive officer (C.E.O.) “This sponsorship is just another example of our organizations’ continued support for each other and our shared dedication to improving the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people.”

On Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minn., CSD will host the awareness and fundraising event “Grow With CSD,” complete with a children’s performance, a presentation from Matlin, a book signing, a press conference, an “Inspiration Lunch,” sponsor recognition and a lunch and mingle. The event will be even more of a success, thanks to the support of ZVRS.

“Our longstanding business relationship with ZVRS is something I am immensely proud of,” said Ben Soukup, CSD C.E.O. “Both organizations are dedicated to the fullest level of communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and ZVRS even goes beyond ‘access’ by becoming Bronze Sponsors of the Grow With CSD campaign. Their contribution proves that advocacy, empowerment and education for deaf and hard of hearing people are three other ideals both organizations share.”

CSD is currently seeking various levels of sponsorship for the event. There is one Presenting Level sponsorship available, two Platinum Level sponsorships available, and multiple sponsorships below the premiere sponsorships. For more information on the “Grow With CSD” event, please contact Darlene Zangara, CSD senior vice president/Centers of Excellence, via e-mail at dzangara@c-s-d.org or by phone at (605) 540-4157.

For more information about CSD, go to www.c-s-d.org and www.c-s-d.org/grow/, and for ZVRS , go to www.zvrs.com.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Sept. 8, 2011) — In June, CSD announced that Academy Award Winner for Best Actress Award, producer, author and activist Marlee Matlin will make an appearance at the “Grow With CSD” event, a fundraiser for CSD programs that assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families in gaining equal access to services, communication, education and the social and economic opportunities so many others take for granted. Today, CSD is proud to announce Verizon as one of the Gold Sponsors.

On Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minn., CSD will host the awareness and fundraising event “Grow With CSD,” complete with a children’s performance, a presentation from Matlin, a book signing, a press conference, an “Inspiration Lunch,” sponsor recognition and a lunch and mingle. The event will be even more of a success, thanks to Verizon’s support.

“We applaud the work that CSD does with the deaf and hard of hearing community to provide needed services and awareness around the societal issue of domestic violence,” said Seamus Hyland, president-Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless.  “We are pleased to support this event.”

Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer, said, “We are very appreciative of Verizon as a corporation when they show this kind of public support for a deaf and hard of hearing organization like CSD. We applaud their investment in helping CSD educate, advocate for and empower those deaf and hard of hearing Americans we serve every day.”

CSD is currently seeking various levels of sponsorship for the event. There is one Presenting Level sponsorship available, two Platinum Level sponsorships available, and multiple sponsorships below the premiere sponsorships. For more information on the “Grow With CSD” event, please contact Darlene Zangara, CSD senior vice president/Centers of Excellence, via e-mail at dzangara@c-s-d.org or by phone at (605) 540-4157.

For more information about CSD, go to www.c-s-d.org, and for Verizon, go to www.verizon.com.

About CSD — CSD (a.k.a. Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD offers employment opportunities to nearly 2,000  individuals in 29 offices and locations all across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay and contact center services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

About Verizon — Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

iPad2 for $300, Sprint smart phones for $175, Samsung Netbook for $132 … huge savings now available for deaf and hard of hearing people.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Aug. 29, 2011) — For over a year now, CSD’s Project Endeavor has been offering subsidized broadband plans along with various equipment options. As the project continues to evolve to meet the needs of the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing populace, Project Endeavor is rolling out a new line of equipment at unbelievable discounts for qualified consumers.

Have you been wanting to purchase an iPad2 but couldn’t afford it? You can pick one up now for up to half off the retail price through Project Endeavor, for only $300. If you prefer a tablet with Android technology, you can buy the Toshiba Thrive for $233. How about a handheld device like the Evo or Epic? You can purchase either one for $175 when you qualify through Project Endeavor.  Subsidized broadband plans are also available, which you can bundle with your equipment or purchase the equipment only. It’s all the next phase of this groundbreaking program that brings Internet access to deaf and hard of hearing people, maximizes that access, and working towards sustaining long-term access as well once Project Endeavor comes to completion.

New eligibility guidelines have opened up the program to more deaf and hard of hearing people than ever before. Vocational rehabilitation clients and transition students automatically qualify, as long as they have at least a 40 dB hearing loss. Program income guidelines have been expanded to include a wide array of earners, from those just starting in the work force to middle-class families. To see if you qualify, go to www.projectendeavor.com and click on the “Apply” tab. Eligibility guidelines can be viewed on that page, and you can also download the application form.

If you prefer to talk to staff and have more questions, the Project Endeavor contact center has agents fluent in sign language that can speak to you point to point, and can also be accessed by a video relay service,  AIM, telecommunications relay service, e-mail, fax, TTY or in the traditional  way. Reach them by voice at 1 (877) 638-6377; by AIM (screen names CSDPE1, CSDPE2, CSDPE3); by videophone at (605) 644-7399 or (605) 550-4056; by fax (605) 782-8446; or by e-mail at info@projectendeavor.com.

“In this stagnant economy, to be able to offer devices like an iPad2 for $300 is a boon to the deaf and hard of hearing people that we serve every day,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “For too long, deaf and hard of hearing people have been missing out on not just access to the Internet, but new technology as well. With Project Endeavor, almost any person with a hearing loss can qualify for subsidized high-speed Internet and be able to pick up new devices for up to 50 percent off the retail price. And that’s a great thing …”

For more information about Project Endeavor, go to www.projectendeavor.com.