Sign Language Interpreter

About the role

The Sign Language Interpreter performs highly skilled professional interpreter/tutor duties that provide students who have an educationally significant hearing loss with an established system of sign communication and equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Reports consistently for work as scheduled
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
• Analyzes student communication needs and adapts signing level for student
• Affords assessments of students' accomplishments on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required
• Clearly conveys educational concepts and facilitates student understanding of the educational material
• Communicates with parents on a regular basis regarding student needs and progress
• Coordinates instruction by maintaining regular communication with classroom teachers to identify concepts, specific vocabulary, and necessary materials for tutoring
• Determines and interprets in the most appropriate linguistic mode all classroom activities (teacher language, peer discussions, student contributions, films, assemblies, etc.) for assigned deaf/hard of hearing student
• Edifies others regarding the implications of hearing loss
• Edifies the student and other professionals in understanding the role of the interpreter
• Encourages direct communication across various interactions
• Evaluates and ensures that the physical setting of the room will maximize instruction effectively for the hearing impaired
• Independently facilitates all communication in the classroom for deaf/hard of hearing student
• Interprets all oral communication accurately so that the intent and spirit of the message is conveyed
• Makes recommendations in the IEP team meeting for students receiving services
• Promotes student independence
• Promotes student’s participation in classroom discussions and activities
• Routinely assesses student progress, changes, problems and equipment needs, and informs appropriate service provider or coordinator
• Serves as a consultant regarding strategies to:

Requirements

• Associate's degree or two or more years (48 semester hours or more of college with no degree)
• Authorization: Educational Interpreter - Colorado Department of Education
• Bachelor's (Baccalaureate) degree (e.g., B.A., A.B., B.S.) preferred

Qualifications

• Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Ability to create training materials, related documentation, and to train others

Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems, including databases and spreadsheets

Ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping, document management, and filing systems

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public

Ability to follow oral and written instructions

Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities

Ability to operate standard office equipment, performing a wide range of supportive tasks

Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities

Ability to work independently without direct supervision

Ability to work well others and share knowledge in a team environment

Fluency in Standard English

Knowledge of curriculum content at the elementary and secondary level

Understanding of: Child development curriculum; language development – deafness; the educational process for deaf children; teaching and tutoring methods for working individually and as part of a team in teaching or tutoring deaf children in a classroom setting

Detail-oriented

Dress in a manner that will assist the student in reading signs

Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible

Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills

Expressive and receptive interpreting/transliterating skills in appropriate sign language system (American Sign Language, SEE, etc.)

General knowledge of language acquisition and development in deaf/hearing impaired students

Interacts efficiently with other departments and locations to resolve issues and document solutions

Knowledge and adherence to Code of Ethics of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Knowledge of and follow school policies and procedures and defer discipline to the appropriate authority, except in situations where student safety is jeopardized

Knowledge of deaf culture

Maintains an impartial attitude during interpreting and avoids interjection of personal views or advice

Maintains confidentiality of information regarding the student(s) within the educational team working directly with the student(s)

Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills

Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.

Physical Demands

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.

Cognitive Functions

The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.