Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator

About the Role

The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator is a developmental position designed to prepare individuals for a career as an Educational Interpreter serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This role combines supervised educational support responsibilities with intensive professional learning through the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program and individualized coaching from an experienced Bucks IU Educational Interpreter. The position is expected to demonstrate continuous professional growth, developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to achieve a minimum score of 3.5 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and become eligible for future employment as an Educational Interpreter. This position is not eligible for remote work, telecommuting, or off-site assignments.

Responsibilities

Interpreter Development

• Participate fully in the PaTTAN Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program.
• Meet regularly with an assigned Bucks IU Educational Interpreter mentor.
• Observe experienced Educational Interpreters across a variety of educational settings.
• Participate in guided interpreting practice under the supervision of qualified mentors.
• Develop receptive and expressive American Sign Language skills.
• Develop educational interpreting skills, including vocabulary development, educational discourse, interpreting strategies, and professional decision-making.
• Learn and apply the Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters.
• Participate in workshops, seminars, and professional development activities related to deaf education and educational interpreting.
• Demonstrate growth through ongoing mentor feedback, self-reflection, and performance coaching.

Student Support

• Provide reliable on-site presence and regular attendance.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring if scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher.
• Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials.
• Act as a liaison in communicating with teachers and other IU and district staff regarding ongoing needs of students.
• Support parental involvement activities.
• Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations.
• Assist students in using equipment and maintaining augmentative communication devices.
• Assist students with ambulation, positioning, and transfers.
• Support students in range of motion and other exercises.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (e.g., feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering).
• Monitor designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
• Accompany students on school buses or other vehicles.
• Cue, redirect, or monitor students to ensure they perform ADL tasks when cognitive impairments prevent independent completion.
• Observe, monitor, and redirect students to assist with completion of ADLs.
• Cue students to pay attention, participate in activities, and complete tasks.
• Participate in the implementation of each student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and C.E.Rs (if applicable).
• Assist with data collection of student performance.
• Follow individualized support plans that may be part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation).
• Track information about each student, including needs, strengths, gains, and problem areas.
• Assist with setting up the educational environment and preparing materials for instruction.
• May occasionally transport students if trained and qualified.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members to support departmental and organizational goals.

Work Environment

The work environment is typically moderate in noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The position requires regular on-site presence and includes a combination of sedentary and active physical duties.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, and use hands for fine motor tasks.
• Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, and positioning at student level for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally; certain assignments may require assisting students with mobility or physical support needs exceeding 25 pounds, with appropriate training and support.
• Requires active supervision of students across various educational settings and the ability to respond appropriately to students' classroom or safety needs.
• May involve implementing approved crisis intervention techniques and supporting students with diverse educational, behavioral, communication, and personal care needs.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to hear and interpret sounds within the environment, including student communication, alarms, and other potential safety concerns.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday but may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Travel

No regular travel is required. Occasional travel to meetings, trainings, conferences, Bucks IU locations, or other work-related activities may be necessary.

Requirements

• Have completed the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and be awaiting official results, or have achieved an EIPA score of 3.5 or higher.
• Completion of an Educational Interpreter Preparation Program preferred.
• Coursework in Educational Interpreting, American Sign Language, Deaf Studies, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with children or students with disabilities preferred.
• Must meet the requirements of a “highly qualified” paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following:
  • Associate or Bachelor Degree
  • At least 48 college/university credits
  • A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment (Bucks IU considers the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education sufficient for those without 48 credits or a degree).

Skills

• Developing proficiency in American Sign Language.
• Willingness to receive coaching and implement feedback.
• Commitment to continuous professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective communication with students, staff, and families.
• Professionalism, initiative, reliability, and flexibility.
• Working knowledge of educational technology and standard office software.

Internship Requirements

• Participation in the Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator Program is a condition of employment.
• Successfully participate in the PaTTAN Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program.
• Participate in ongoing on-site mentoring provided by a Bucks IU Educational Interpreter.
• Attend all required mentoring sessions, workshops, and professional learning activities.
• Complete all required assignments associated with the mentoring program.
• Demonstrate satisfactory professional growth throughout the internship.

Pay

The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator includes a $10,000 stipend funded through the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN). Payment is contingent upon successful completion of all requirements of the PaTTAN Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program, including attendance, participation, and completion of required activities.