Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Professional Highlight
Clearance
Skills And Professional Affiliations
Accomplishments
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Jonathan Strazzulla Vega

Hyattsville,MD

Summary

Dynamic ASL Interpreter with extensive experience at Gallaudet University, adept at bridging communication gaps in diverse environments. Proven track record in managing multimillion-dollar contracts and enhancing accessibility through innovative training resources. Skilled in ASL and contractor management, fostering inclusive collaboration while ensuring compliance with ADA standards.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

ASL Interpreter

Gallaudet University
Washington, DC
01.2024 - Current
  • Freelance ASL Interpreter
  • Full-time since 2024 - Part-time/Evenings & Weekends since 2011

ASL Interpreter – Workday Implementation Project

Gallaudet University
Washington, DC
08.2022 - 12.2023
  • Provided ASL interpretation for cross-functional teams during Gallaudet University’s enterprise-wide Workday implementation (HCM, Payroll, and Finance), supporting a Deaf-centric environment with a bilingual workforce (ASL/English).
  • Interpreted complex technical discussions, stakeholder meetings, system demos, and training sessions to ensure full communication access for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing team members, leadership, and end users.
  • Collaborated with Deaf professionals in HR, IT, and finance to ensure that Workday materials, workflows, and trainings were linguistically and culturally appropriate for a primarily Deaf user base.
  • Supported development of accessible training resources by advising on captioning, plain language use, and integration of Deaf-friendly design principles.
  • Acted as a cultural and linguistic bridge between hearing consultants, Workday representatives, and the Gallaudet community, promoting inclusive collaboration and mutual understanding throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Maintained strict adherence to RID’s Code of Professional Conduct and institutional privacy policies, particularly in contexts involving employee records, payroll data, and system security protocols.
  • Contributed to a smooth go-live by supporting real-time interpreting during testing, system validation, and university-wide rollout, ensuring that accessibility remained central to the implementation strategy.

Staff ASL Interpreter & Interpreter Coordinator

District of Columbia Superior Court - $114,923
Washington, D.C.
07.2020 - 07.2022
  • Provide accurate, impartial, and culturally appropriate American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for court proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and attorney-client conferences.
  • Interpret between ASL and English in both simultaneous and consecutive modes for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals involved in legal matters.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards as outlined by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and court interpreting guidelines.
  • Coordinate scheduling and assignment of qualified interpreters for over 30 spoken languages across all divisions of the court.
  • Maintain and manage the daily interpreter schedule, ensuring appropriate coverage for all courtroom and ancillary needs.
  • Liaise with judges, clerks, and court staff to assess language access needs and provide timely, appropriate language services.
  • Vet and contract with freelance spoken language interpreters, ensuring credentials and certifications meet court standards.
  • Manage interpreter database, track interpreter hours, and prepare usage reports for budgetary and administrative purposes.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to new interpreters, and contribute to language access policy improvements.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for language access questions and emergency interpreter needs within the court system.

Program Manager & Staff ASL Interpreter

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - GS 13 $132,658
Washington, DC
07.2011 - 06.2020
  • Oversee a $1M+ annual ASL interpreting & captioning services contract supporting 200+ interpreters; redesigned staffing models for the Bureau of Labor Statistics and regional offices, realizing $1.2M in annual savings.
  • Directly supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of federal staff and contract interpreters; conduct performance reviews, skills assessments, and career-development workshops.
  • Serve as SME for sign-language interpreting and captioning; author DOL-wide guidance, ensuring alignment with ADA, Rehabilitation Act, and DOJ regulations.
  • Manage intake of service requests, scheduling, and real-time support (including after-hours and emergency assignments); liaise with vendor agencies to monitor billing hours and maintain exemplary service quality.
  • Design and deliver workshops for the Council of Interpreters in Government and federal partners; spearheaded an internship/mentorship program for Gallaudet University students.
  • Advise the Civil Rights Center on reasonable accommodations for discrimination investigations; provide best-practice recommendations to enhance DOL’s customer service for Deaf/HoH communities.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Team Leader: Lead D&I training initiatives to increase workforce representation of individuals with disabilities; supervise analytics team producing interactive diversity dashboards for the Secretary of Labor.
  • Special Emphasis Month (SEM) Program Manager: Manage department-wide SEM events: plan agendas, secure speakers, draft executive talking points, and evaluate participant feedback to continuously refine programming.
  • Affinity Group Liaison: Provide administrative support to employee affinity groups; co-develop bylaws and foster launch of new department-wide networks.

Program Specialist & Staff ASL Interpreter, GS-12

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Washington, DC
07.2011 - 11.2017
  • Established the DOL’s inaugural internal ASL interpreting & captioning program, serving 16,000 employees and public visitors across national and regional offices.
  • Delivered high-profile interpreting services for White House events during the Obama administration, including televised platform interpreting for the President.
  • Developed SOPs, vendor onboarding processes, and quality-assurance protocols; upheld the RID Code of Professional Conduct in all assignments.

Sign Language Interpreter

Freelance
Washinton, DC
01.2004 - Current
  • Provide ASL interpreting (platform, academic, medical, corporate, mental-health) and collaborate with Certified Deaf Interpreters.
  • Contracted by multiple agencies (e.g., GIS, Gallaudet University, Deaf Access Solutions, KDC Interpreting, Joyful Signing, Access Interpreting, First Chair) at $60–$80/hr.

ASL Coordinator | Job Developer & Employment Specialist

Creative Options & Employment
Upper Marlboro, MD
01.2011 - 07.2011
  • Placed 25 Deaf/HoH and developmentally delayed clients in meaningful employment; built employer partnerships and managed case files, including medical and psychological documentation.

Teaching & Internship Experience

Ocean Classroom, United States Capitol
01.2001 - 12.2010
  • Teacher: Ocean Classroom Foundation (Maritime Literature & Science curriculum)
  • Sign Language Interpreter: Williams College Maritime Studies Program, Marion High School, Cameron Middle School, Mission Hill Public High School
  • Teacher’s Assistant & Interpreter: The Learning Center for the Deaf (K–12)
  • Congressional Intern: Office of Congressman Marty Meehan
  • Intern: New England Aquarium

Education

BA - Political Science & Journalism

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA
05.2005

Massachusetts Interpreting Mentorship Program -

Deaf Inc.
Boston, MA
12.2009

Leadership & Cultural Studies - East Africa

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
Naro Moru, Kenya
08.2002

Professional Highlight

Recognized by DOL leadership for transforming ASL interpreting services into a best-in-class program, delivering over $2M in cost savings and elevating communication access for thousands of employees and public stakeholders.

Clearance

SF-85

Skills And Professional Affiliations

ASL, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), Signed Exact English (SEE2), CASE, SimCom, basic Spanish, Diversity data visualization, contractor management systems, ADA/504 compliance frameworks, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (DPI, ITOC, IEIS chapters), Potomac Chapter RID, National Association of the Deaf

Accomplishments

  • Williams Mystic Maritime Studies Program Honorary Alumni

Certification

  • NIC Advanced - 2011

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

ASL Interpreter

Gallaudet University
01.2024 - Current

ASL Interpreter – Workday Implementation Project

Gallaudet University
08.2022 - 12.2023

Staff ASL Interpreter & Interpreter Coordinator

District of Columbia Superior Court - $114,923
07.2020 - 07.2022

Program Manager & Staff ASL Interpreter

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - GS 13 $132,658
07.2011 - 06.2020

Program Specialist & Staff ASL Interpreter, GS-12

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
07.2011 - 11.2017

ASL Coordinator | Job Developer & Employment Specialist

Creative Options & Employment
01.2011 - 07.2011

Sign Language Interpreter

Freelance
01.2004 - Current

Teaching & Internship Experience

Ocean Classroom, United States Capitol
01.2001 - 12.2010

BA - Political Science & Journalism

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Massachusetts Interpreting Mentorship Program -

Deaf Inc.

Leadership & Cultural Studies - East Africa

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)

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