Description | Under the direction of the principal, the Interpreter-Sign Language serves as an interpreter/transliterator to provide equal access of communication for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HOH) and provide service in the public schools at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. Interpreters/transliterators require a high degree of skill to provide a critical communication link to students, employees, parents, and the community at large.
Major duties of the Interpreter-Sign Language include, but are not limited to conveying questions/comments and assisting the employee in communicating with students, employees, parents, and community members; assisting the employee with daily activities related to the employee’s job responsibilities at the school level and meeting the needs of stakeholders; interpreting at school district meetings/assemblies, etc.; participating as a team member to plan, review, and share information.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
Incumbent may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities, associated with this classification but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. (Note: To the full extent applicable, the essential job functions are also meant todescribe those duties associated with the Interpreter - Sign Language performing service to district employees who are D/HOH. All questions regarding applicability of essential job functions are to be referred to Human Resources.)
Assists the school principal in achieving school and district objectives and carrying out policies established by the Board of Directors in Successfully Preparing All Students for Their Futures.
Attends classes, guidance sessions, tutoring sessions, parent meetings, student activities, faculty meetings, in-services and professional development activities, as well as a variety of meetings with assigned D/HOH employee to provide necessary services. Attends out-of-district meetings as required.
Ensures that D/HOH employee receives the vocabulary and technical terms used by employees throughout the educational day and the comments and questions of students and parents. Facilitates communication between D/HOH employee, other employees, students, parents, and community members requiring different communication needs simultaneously. Conveys the precise statements of a speaker (either literally or in slightly paraphrased form) at a comparable rate of speed as the original spoken message. Provides reverse interpretation for students, employees, students, parents, and community members unable to make themselves adequately understood by the D/HOH employee.
Interprets for the employee for the purpose of meeting ADA and other legal compliances at school district meetings, conferences, etc.
Interprets information, lectures, discussion, classroom activities, etc. for the purpose of conveying the D/HOS employee’s instructions and direction to students
Participates as a team member for the purpose of planning and reviewing daily activities, attending in-services, and information sharing.
Assists D/HOH employee as needed for the purpose of planning and reviewing daily activities and information sharing. Attends appropriate workshops or educational venues to remain current with technology and effective communication techniques.
Communicates regularly with in a positive and constructive manner.
Maintains adequate and careful records as required by the principal and district.
Provides for the care of school property and appropriate use of supplies, equipment, and utilities.
Performs all other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- AA degree in American Sign Language, deaf studies, deaf and hard of hearing, deaf culture, social service, or related field.
- Minimum of two years of successful experience as an Interpreter - Sign Language.
- National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certificate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language, deaf studies, deaf and hard of hearing, deaf culture, social service, or related field.
- Proven successful experience in working in urban public education or social service programs.
- Proven successful experience in an ethnically diverse public school district.
- Bilingual (oral and written; academic fluency).
Employment eligibility may include fingerprints, health (TB), and/or other employment clearance.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Goals, and objectives of public education, deaf education, and social service agencies.
- Deaf culture; effective methods of working with students, and education techniques.
- American Sign Language (ASL), Signed Exact English (SEE Sign), and/or other sign systems.
- Effective sign language facilitation skills (methods and techniques; technical signs and/or vocabulary) for various professional educational interactions with students and adults.
- Code of Ethics prepared by the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.
- District organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
- Educational and business technology programs, procedures and methods, computer equipment, and computer software necessary to perform required duties.
- Oral and written communication skills, including English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, composition, and skills in mathematics.
Ability to:
- Earn trust and credibility with colleagues, students, and parents.
- Effectively work with teachers.
- Operate technology hardware and software necessary to perform assigned duties/responsibilities.
- Demonstrate multicultural and ethnic understanding and sensitivity, and communicate effectively with all cultural groups in the school community.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Write/present in a clear and concise manner for broad public appeal and interpretation.
- Use ASL, SEE Sign, and/or other sign systems to interpret spoken English, including academic language, at a rate appropriate for expected job performance in order to voice for D/HOH employees for extended periods of time.
- Maintain confidentiality
- Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; promote consensus in groups of individuals with diverse interests and values.
- Plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet multiple schedules and deadlines.
- Work under pressure.
- Be dependable, including good habits in attendance and punctuality.
- Use effective interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
(Allowable Substitutions: Any combination of experience and training which provide the incumbent/applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, as determined by the district.)
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