Sign Language Interpreter

About the role

The Sign Language Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services for pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing in all areas of the education environment. The interpreter's primary function is to facilitate communication among deaf or hard of hearing students and their hearing peers, the classroom teacher, and other personnel in the district.

Responsibilities

• Provides interpreting for pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in all areas of the educational environment.
• Provides tutoring and/or note taking services for DHH students.
• Follows the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment guidelines of professional conduct for Educational Interpreters.
• Participates as a member of the IEP team at meetings and conference. Provides insight and recommendations regarding communication in the development and review of progress on the IEP, including evaluations of student use of an interpreter.
• Interprets IEP meetings when not participating as a team member.
• Provides interpreting for conferences, telephone calls, assemblies, concerts, ceremonies, field trips or parent meetings when necessary.
• May provide interpreting for extra curricular sports/activities beyond contract hours.
• Prepares for daily lessons/school-related activities and preview media for interpreting.
• Carrries out classroom management of individual behavior plan as designed by classroom teacher and/or IEP team.
• Participate in DHH staff meetings and committee work.
• Maintain high academic standards and expectations.
• Provide immediate feedback on student performance.
• Serve as a resource person to the child study team as needed.
• Work with special needs children who have unique learning challenges.
• Encourage students to strive to meet their highest potential.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Keep accurate records and maintain individual records for each student.
• Maintain an inventory of supplies needed for the performance of job duties.
• Attend faculty meetings as required.
• Assume responsibility for his or her continuing professional growth and development through such efforts as reading professional journals and other publications.
• Seek assistance should emergencies arise.
• Represent the school district in a positive manner.
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• A minimum score of 3.5 or better on the EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) or, NAD (National Association of the Deaf) certification or, nationally certified by RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) within 1 year of being hired.
• Two to three years of ASL or related interpreting experience is preferred.
• Classroom or other instructional experience is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language preferred.

Skills

• Able to demonstrate strong command of ASL and English language.
• Able to provide oral interpreting.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of DHH culture and its role with the education of deaf students.
• Able to implement other visual systems.
• Demonstrate aptitude for working with adolescents.
• Work well with students, staff, and the public.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work under pressures and deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of staff and students.

Communication Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret governmental regulations and legal documents.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees and/or the general public.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish is preferred.

Problem Solving Skills

• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.

Productivity/ Efficiency Skills

• Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary; organize job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frame.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to conduct basic math functions, as well as manipulate formulas in spreadsheets.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing (Microsoft Office), spreadsheets (Excel), database (Access), presentation software and accounting/financial software.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and occasionally meets deadlines with severe time constraints.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and occasionally meets deadlines with severe time constraints.

Terms of Employment

• Student calendar assignment.
• Nampa School District #131 is an equal opportunity employer/educator with an alcohol, drug and tobacco free environment, and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment.
• Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons.
• Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization.