CSD

CSD Designated for State of California Disability Equipment Distribution Contract

csdmedia — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:36:06 +0000

Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Release date: 12/17/2009

Call Center of the Year award winning organization, CSD, notified on intent to award $30 million contract to provide services to the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program for state’s 600,000 deaf, hard of hearing, blind and other disabled community.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced that it intends to award CSD a $30 million contract enabling CSD to continue operating their statewide equipment distribution program. The three-year contract would begin July 1, 2010. The contract also has an option for two one-year extensions.

Under the terms of the contract, CSD will continue operating, staffing and maintaining the equipment processing contact center in Stockton, Calif. On the contact center side, employees ensure all incoming calls are processed and the necessary equipment is distributed to the consumer. The program — the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) — provides deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and other disabled citizens telephony and other equipment (TTYs, captioned phones, etc.) based on their unique needs, and truly sets the industry standard for statewide equipment distribution programs. Overall, this program is integrated with three separate functions: the contact center, the warehouse, and the equipment tracking system.

“CSD considers it to be a great privilege to serve the State of California and the 600,000-plus consumers who currently are a part of the DDTP,” said Christopher Soukup, CSD contact centers senior vice president. “We are proud of the caliber of our entire agent and managerial workforce that supports this important program. The DDTP is closely aligned with the mission of our organization which is dedicated to achieving greater access, awareness, and independence for all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. We look forward to continuing our involvement for many years to come and we remain committed to excellence, integrity, and innovation in all that we do.”

A state-of-the-art telecommunications system processes incoming calls in the contact center from consumer telephone (voice, TTY, CapTel, VRS, including non-English language) calls, and can also process contacts via e-mail or in real-time with Web chat. The warehouse distribution center houses required equipment and materials and supports shipping, receiving, accepting returns, testing, refurbishment and scrapping equipment. The tracking system integrates with the contact center and warehouse to track consumer information and service orders which can be accessed from remote locations throughout the State of California. CSD will partner with San Jose Distribution Services for disseminating the equipment.

“San Jose Distribution Services Inc. is extremely proud and honored to be able to continue providing distribution logistics services for such a worthwhile state program that positively affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of Californians,” said Gary Minardi, San Jose Distribution Services president. CSD is a former Global Call Center of the Year award-winner (2004), and was previously designated a “pacesetter” by the Call Center Industry Advisory Council (CIAC). A CIAC Pacesetter is a call center leading organization that actively demonstrates its commitment to service excellence. In fiscal year 2008-09, CSD processed over 230,000 inbound and outbound calls at the Stockton center, and 99 percent of all customer complaints were resolved during the initial call. This commitment to excellence is one reason why CSD was chosen by the California PUC.

About CSD — CSD (aka 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 employs nearly 2,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay 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 The California Public Utilities Commission — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates privately owned telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. It is responsible for ensuring that customers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting against fraud, and promoting the health of California’s economy. The Commission also has oversight of the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP). This program includes CTAP (California Telephone Access Program — an equipment loan program) and CRS (California Relay Service). For more information about the CPUC and this program, go to www.cpuc.ca.gov and www.ddtp.org

Job Announcement: Web Developer (Sioux Falls, SD)

csdmedia — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:12:01 +0000

Web Developer (Sioux Falls, SD)

Job Announcement

POSITION: Web Developer (Sioux Falls, SD)

Position Description:

The Web Developer will be a member of the Creative Media team, and will be responsible for back-end development, front end design and integration of CSD Web sites. The Web Developer will report to the Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Essential Functions:

Perform Internet-based application development including database design
Develop Interactive Web and Flash Applications
Responsible for HTML and Javascript coding with the Flash components.
Starting from existing designs, created in Photoshop and/or Illustrator, you will develop and implement functionality and usability
Build an interactive media capability within the company, design web projects including structure/navigation and visuals for websites and intranets
Ensure appropriate website architecture and format, including Flash-based movie clips, animated graphics, and static photographs
Maintain and document requirements (web, programming, database and standard)
Act as liaison between company and clients’ IT (when needed) for Internet-based projects
Update corporate social networking/blog/Vlog sites like DeafVideo.tv, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
Handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines
Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Web Design, or related field required
Minimum 3+ years equivalent work experience required
Ability to effectively communicate, inform and involve others to achieve shared objectives
Attentiveness to detail and the ability to work independently with strategic insights are imperative
Demonstrated proficiency with content management systems and web-related technologies including Microsoft ASP.NET, JavaScript, HTML, Flash, and web and database architecture required
Ability to communicate in American Sign Language required.

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: Open Until Filled.

COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION OR SEND RESUME/COVER LETTER

Cindy Shuck, Human Resources

Communication Service for the Deaf

102 North Krohn Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57103

(800) 642-6410 or (605) 367-5760 Voice/TTY • (605) 367-5832 FAX or cshuck(at)c-s-d.org

www.c-s-d.org

CSD Golf Classic Raises Over $15,000 for Deaf Youth

csdmedia — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:38:24 +0000

On July 31, at Spring Creek Golf Course in Harrisburg, S.D., CSD held its seventh annual Golf Classic fundraiser. All proceeds from this charity event benefit Camp Lakodia’s National Literacy and Leadership Camp (NLLC) for deaf and hard of hearing youth. The NLLC is held each year at Camp Lakodia, located on Lake Herman in Madison, S.D.
The golf teams played a best-ball scramble format, and the top three teams actually tied (11 under), and winners had to be decided by handicap. The top three teams were Haake Insurance, SDN, and Sprint.

There were also individual awards — Longest Drive Men: Jim Skjeveland (Sprint); Longest Drive Women: Joy Feige (Eide Bailly); Longest Putt Men: Adam Ellsworth (CSD); Longest Putt Women: Doris Krekelberg (former CSD); Closest to Pin Men: Rick Gordon (John Archer’s team); Closest to Pin Women: Anne Delay (KSFY Action News).

Over $15,000 was raised to support next year’s NLLC campers.

“It’s hard to believe we have been hosting the CSD Golf Classic for seven years already,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “It’s gratifying seeing the outpouring of support for these deaf youth — who are our future deaf leaders — from the Sioux Falls community, our business partners, and of course, from CSD employees who volunteer and participate. Thanks to all of them, we the Golf Classic experienced another successful year.”

Job Announcement: Director of Business Development

csdmedia — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:43:41 +0000

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Director of Business Development- Sioux Falls, SD

The Director of Business Development is responsible for supporting the day-to-day business analysis of CSD’s contact center and technology division. In addition, the Director is responsible for evaluating new business opportunities, market conditions, current production processes and advancements in technology that may enhance existing revenue streams or create new revenue streams within the contact center/managed services arena.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Responsible for the development, deployment, and operational adherence of strategic plans for all divisions within the Department. Based on the needs identified, comprehensive business and marketing plans may need to be enveloped into this process.

2. Monitors the flow of business activity across the Department organizational spectrum and evaluates the business processes used to support the various contracts and revenue generating programs within this division. When necessary, make recommendations to redefine and rebuild infrastructure to achieve the maximum possible return on investment from these endeavors. This area of responsibility involves system re-engineering—the realignment of organizational resources to best serve the business need of a product or service.

3. Accountable for the evaluation of contact center/managed services pricing models. The Director will be 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.

4. Facilitate the creation and oversight of product management teams to enhance cross-functional and interdepartmental communication as it relates to key initiatives within the contact center and technology divisions.

5. Serves as a portal for all new contact center, managed services, and technology business opportunities and ideas for enhancing CSD’s current contact center infrastructure. Submits regular summaries to the Senior Vice President of CSD Contact Centers with recommendations as to which opportunities and enhancements should be pursued.

6. Works with the Senior Vice President of CSD Contact Centers to resolve structural inefficiencies and resource limitations to allow all groups within the contact center/technology division to be successful in meeting business goals.

7. 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.

8. Responsible for developing and maintaining a current competitive analysis of all of CSD’s contact center and technology products

9. Interacts regularly with external groups to support the development of productive business relationships to support the overall welfare of the CSD organization.

10. Submits regular progress reports to the Senior Vice President of CSD Contact Centers

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. BA/BS in a business related area of study
2. 3-5 years of business development or financial management experience
3. 7-10 years of progressively responsible managerial experience
4. Extensive experience in developing and analyzing financial reports
5. Proven strategic mindset; strong analytical skills
6. Strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal relations and leadership skills
7. Ability to influence and facilitate cross-functional teams
8. Ability to lead groups of employees and maintain effective work relationships with employees and the general public
9. A high level of computer literacy and an intermediate knowledge of MS Office applications
10. Ability to communicate in American Sign Language

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

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

COMPLETE ON-LINE APPLICATION AT WWW.C-S-D.ORG
OR SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:

Cindy Shuck
Human Resources Manager
Communication Service for the Deaf
102 North Krohn Place Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Voice (605-367-5760) – Fax (605-782-8454) – cshuck@c-s-d.org

Equal employment opportunity employer

CSD Poker Run Raises Funds for National Leadership and Literacy Camp

csdmedia — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:11:22 +0000

Another year, and another successful NLLC Motorcycle Poker Run! On May 16, motorcycle riders from the Sioux Falls area participated in the 5th annual NLLC Poker Run.

Approximately $1,230 was raised by the run to assist students in need of financial assistance to attend the youth leadership camp. Unfortunately, this figure was down slightly from last year as the weather didn’t cooperate. However, CSD secured some great sponsors this year that help offset the low turnout. For example, Dell Computer donated a 22″ widescreen LCD monitor that was auctioned off. That auction alone accounted for almost $600 of the total revenue.

The money came in at a perfect time, as the NLLC begins in July. Thanks to all who participated in support of deaf and hard of hearing youth.

Minnesota Adult Students Present Before Audience

csdmedia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:48:23 +0000

CSD of Minnesota’s Deaf Adult Education program hosted the first annual “Student Profile” night on June 9. A group of eight adult students delivered presentations for the first time in their lives before an audience of 50 people — a friendly mix of students, teachers, administrators, family and friends.

The “Student Profile” project was initiated this year to allow students to apply their skills in English, writing, ASL and technology in an innovative way, presenting their personal life stories. Students honed their Internet skills by researching facts, their English skills by writing and re-writing their stories, and their technology skills by using Publisher to print an announcement, and also PowerPoint and video equipment for their presentations.

Enrollment in the class includes adults from countries like Zimbabwe, Romania and China, and the U.S. All come from various educational backgrounds. While enrolling in Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes can be daunting, the one characteristic shared by each student is their fearless pursuit in learning the English language. Their success was evident to those attending on June 9. Their presentations educated, entertained and inspired the audience.

“Technology in the classroom attracts learners to classes to build skills in reading, writing, and ASL,” said ABE Lead Teacher Jessalyn Frank. “Students are engaged and are succeeding in meeting their educational goals. The skills obtained provide them skills they can immediately apply in their lives.”

Peggy Camp, herself a former ABE student, retold her success story in finding a job with CSD, along with new ABE students studying to pass college entrance exams or enroll in the GED program. Many learned to read so they could read to their grandchildren. The ABE program, funded by the Minnesota Department of Education, is crucial in the community. As the audience learned about the diversity of students, they realized how ABE offers a “second chance” at learning English and how to read for deaf adults.

“If it was not for the ABE program, I would still be lost. ABE teachers and the program believed in me when everyone else walked away,” commented one student.

The ABE program is gearing up for a great fall semester with opportunities in distance learning, technology, civics for the workplace, citizenship, and many other classes for diverse students. Check our Face Book (got to www.facebook.com and search “CSD of Minnesota Deaf Adult Education Program”) page to keep tabs on the various things we are doing. For more information contact: jfrank@c-s-d.org

CSD DTV Help Center Sees 100s of Calls on DTV Transition Day

csdmedia — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:06:10 +0000

The entire television industry finally transitioned to a digital signal on June 12, in the morning, leaving analog behind. On that Friday, just between 7–11 a.m., the DTV Help center received approximately 300 calls, and over 1,600 on the day. In fact, the call volume was so extensive that the voice mail system in place for the DTV Help Center, which holds 20 messages, was filled to capacity three times just in the morning.

Help Center agents quickly returned the messages, answered e-mails, Instant Messages, and took numerous point to point videophone calls to help consumers find their way through the DTV transition.

Consumers called the Help Center for a variety of reasons, the main ones being captioning issues, signal loss, antenna issues, converter box installs, and also how/where to get converter box coupons.

The Help Center will remain open until July 31. If you are still not prepared for the DTV transition, go to dtv.c-s-d.org today and find the information you need so you can continue watching television in this new digital age.

CSD Holds Charity Golf Classic to Raise Funds for Summer Youth Program

csdmedia — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:15:13 +0000

Proceeds from the fundraiser help sponsor deaf youth attend summer leadership/literacy camp in Madison, S.D.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (July 6, 2009) — CSD, one of the nation’s largest relay and human service organizations for deaf and hard of hearing people, will sponsor the seventh annual CSD Golf Classic. Over 100 golfers are anticipated to register for this golf tournament, to be held July 31 at the Spring Creek Golf Course in Harrisburg, S.D.

All proceeds from this charity event benefit Camp Lakodia’s National Literacy and Leadership Camp (NLLC) for deaf and hard of hearing youth. The NLLC is held each year at Camp Lakodia, located on Lake Herman in Madison, S.D.

CSD not only sponsors the event, but also participates in the tourney by encouraging employees, and others, to register teams and partake in the festivities. Foursomes or individual players willing to be assigned to a team are welcome to register. Spring Creek will open its gates to the public on Friday, July 31 at 7:30 a.m. for registration, with a shotgun tee-off at 9 a.m. The tournament will be held in a scramble format and the cost for the day of golfing activities, including lunch, an awards reception and a benefit auction, is $500 per foursome or $150 per player.

“It’s hard to believe we have been hosting the CSD Golf Classic for seven years already,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “It’s gratifying seeing the outpouring of support for these deaf youth — who are our future deaf leaders — from the Sioux Falls community, our business partners, and of course, from CSD employees who volunteer and participate. Thanks to all of them, we know the Golf Classic will experience another successful year. ”

“The committee and I came up with the quote ‘Golfing for a Great Cause!’ We believe CSD’s 7th annual Golf Classic offers a win-win situation,” said Deb Kuglitsch, CSD graphic artist and Golf Classic organizer. “The golfers will play like winners at such a fine course with such wonderful amenities, and the youth at the National Leadership and Literacy Camp will be big winners as a result of the funds raised at the event. We thank in advance all the generous sponsors and participating teams who make this cause possible.”

For more information about registration, participating as a sponsor, donations for the auction or any other general questions, please call Judy Morgan at (605) 367-5760 or visit the Web site at: http://www.csdgolfclassic.golfreg.com.

About Spring Creek Golf Course – The 18-hole course at the Spring Creek Country Club facility in Harrisburg, South Dakota features 6,301 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 70.3 with a slope rating of 108. In keeping with the vision and values of pristine ecology, the generous fairway meanders through a gently rolling prairie terrain with minimal elevation changes, featuring indigenous wildlife in natural fauna at every turn. Designed by Marty Johnson, the Spring Creek golf course opened in 1994 and offers a gradual degree of difficulty as you progress through the tee boxes and greens, especially up through the back nine. Spring Creek is located at 27122 480th Ave. in Harrisburg, for more information see their website at: http://www.springcreekcountryclub.com

About NLLC — The National Leadership and Literacy Camp (NLLC) fosters intellectual and personal growth and development through activities that embrace the social, physical, intellectual, communicative and emotional (SPICE) domains of learning and becoming. The mission of this program is to prepare – through a challenging learning environment – each child for a meaningful and productive life in a competitive and ever-changing world. Daily program activities are carefully planned so as to develop a social-educational climate specific to the development of basic personal autonomy, appropriate future aspirations and positive participation in society. For more information about the NLLC, go to: http://www.nllcamp.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 employs over 1,500 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay 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.

CSD of Minnesota Earns Gordon Allen Community Award

csdmedia — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens Honors CSD of Minnesota with Award

On June 19 at a Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC) meeting, CSD was surprised to find themselves the recipient of the Gordon Allen Community Award. Marty Barnum, CSD of Minnesota director of interpreting operations, attended the meeting and accepted the award on CSD’s behalf.

The award is presented to an organization whose community involvement has contributed to positive and productive service towards the advancement of deaf people in Minnesota.

“The award was a surprise,” said Jessalyn Frank, CSD of Minnesota coordinator of Advocacy and Education. “We’re happy that Marty Barnum was at the conference to accept the award on behalf of Minnesota staff. We thank the community for supporting our work and we thank MADC for recognizing the contributions CSD has made to the community.”

The award is proudly displayed at CSD’s front entrance.

Congratulations to our CSD of Minnesota staff, and keep up the great work.

FCC Extends CSD’s DTV Contract to July 31

csdmedia — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:10:48 +0000

Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Release date: 6/30/2009

Consistent call volume to CSD’s DTV Help Center even weeks after the DTV transition deadline prompts FCC to extend this resource another month.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —Nielsen Ratings announced on June 12, the digital TV (DTV) transition deadline, that 2.8 million American households were still unprepared for the DTV transition. Once TV stations around the nation flipped the switch, consumers flooded DTV resource call centers like CSD’s Help Center to get assistance watching their TV programming.

The DTV Help Center has assisted thousands of deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and hearing consumers since it was launched in early February. This innovative call center can receive traditional phone calls, and also TTY, relay, video relay, videophone, and CapTel calls. This means that regardless of the level of hearing loss, the Help Center is equipped to handle any call type preference. Please watch video for complete story.