American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter - Pool Recruitment

About the role

Under the general supervision of the Student Disability and Accessibility Resources (SDAC) Director, incumbents facilitate communication between Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and hearing consumers in the campus community for the purpose of providing communication access in classrooms, study groups, student activities and events, field trips, and meetings with faculty and staff.

Interpreters may also interpret for university functions, workshops, lectures, performances and commencement ceremonies.

Responsibilities

• Provides in-person and remote interpreting services for classroom lectures and other presentations and events from English into Sign Language (American Sign Language (ASL), signed English, transliterating, and/or another manual sign system based on the needs of the consumer), simultaneously with the presentation.
• Ensures that register, tone, intent, and content of the message is conveyed accurately.
• Translates responses from sign language into English.
• Provides in-person and remote interpreting services for short-term individual assignments which may include conferences, meetings, and other university- or academic-related events/activities from English into Sign Language (American Sign Language (ASL), signed English, transliterating, and/or another manual sign system based on the needs of the consumer), simultaneously with the presentation.
• Aids students in other situations where translation may be required, as determined by SDAC.
• Attends SDAC meetings, as requested.
• Participates in mandatory on-line campus-wide training.
• Maintains an accurate record monthly of hours worked as well as prep time, to include specific time and hours they take place, as well as students served.
• Other Functions: Follows policies and procedures established by SDAC, CSUMB, and/or the CSU. Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Generally, wide acquaintance with academic higher education through attendance at or graduation from a four year college or university may be essential to provide interpreting services and fully comprehend and accurately interpret the concepts, language, and vocabulary used in the assigned instructional, academic, and/or administrative situations.
• In addition, two years of relevant documented interpreting experience in a variety of settings usually are needed to perform at the level required for position assignments.
• Specialized skills: Fundamental knowledge of the interpreting process; fluency in American Sign Language and other manual systems; demonstrated understanding of the communication needs of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers; working knowledge of academic vocabulary in a variety of subjects; skilled in terminology, language, instruction, concept, theory, and emotion to convey all aspects of the lecture, teaching material, and activities; responsiveness to consumers’ communication needs and preferences. Thorough knowledge of Deaf culture and ability to convey complex concepts and adapt sign vocabulary to student needs and language preferences. Customer/Client Focus with an emphasis in problem solving and resolution and the ability to be responsive to student, consumer or client’s needs and instructional goals. Demonstrated understanding of adult learning theory, interpreting methodologies, ethics, business practices, the mentoring process and culture. Ability to collaborate effectively with an interpreter team.

Skills

• Knowledge of the process of interpretation; ASL and/or an English sign system as required by the student(s) or the assignment; the methods and techniques used in communicating with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers; the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct; the vocabulary used in the courses to which the interpreter is assigned; and a demonstrated knowledge of Deaf Culture.
• Thorough knowledge of the interpreting process; demonstrated understanding of the special communication needs of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing consumers; comprehensive understanding of Deaf Culture; working knowledge of platform interpreting techniques; and specific knowledge of specialized vocabulary and techniques used in interpreting professional and technical subject matter.
• Ability to hear spoken English and use ASL, Signed English, and/or another manual sign system to effectively generate language; interpret and transliterate between ASL and sign systems and spoken English at a speed required by the assignment with may involve a variety of settings such as a classroom, conference, and/or one-on-one meeting; collaborate effectively with interpreter team; and work with students from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

• CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.
• The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus.