Job Description:
SUMMARY: The Interpreter for the Deaf/Hearing Impaired is responsible for facilitating communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing students, their peers, teachers, and other school staff. This role involves interpreting spoken language into American Sign Language and vice versa, assisting with total language communication as applicable, and ensuring that students have equal access to educational content and school activities. The Interpreter for the Deaf plays a crucial role in promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Other duties may be assigned.) 1. Interpretation Services: Provide real-time interpretation in American Sign Language during classroom instruction, assemblies, meetings, conferences, and school events. Interpret spoken language to ASL for students during lessons, ensuring they understand the material being taught. Facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing students and their hearing peers and teachers. 2. Student Support: Assist students with understanding classroom instructions, assignments, and other academic content.Support students during assessments, ensuring they comprehend the questions and instructions. Provide one-on-one support as needed to reinforce learning and understanding. 3. Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, special education staff, and other school personnel to ensure effective communication and support for students. Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to the development of educational plans for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. 4. Confidentiality and Professionalism: Maintain confidentiality of student records and sensitive information. Adhere to professional ethical standards and school policies. Exhibit professionalism in all interactions with students, staff, and parents. 5. Cultural Sensitivity: Promote an inclusive environment by being aware of and sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of deaf or hard-of-hearing students. Foster positive relationships and understanding between the deaf and hearing communities within the school. 6. Professional Development:Stay updated on best practices in interpretation, totocal communication, and deaf education. Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance interpreting skills and knowledge. Lead or assist with professional development for staff as needed to best support students.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or a state-level certification or licensure is highly required. Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education, Special Education or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Previous experience as an interpreter, preferably in an educational setting. Proficiency in American Sign Language and understanding of Deaf culture.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before people. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to collate and interpret data.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to operate a personal computer and related software. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and depth perception.