Educational Visual Language Interpreter - Bear Creek Elementary

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education; Surrey; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education is seeking an Educational Sign Language Interpreter (ESLI) for Bear Creek Elementary in a temporary full-time assignment through January 31, 2028.

The ESLI will collaborate with District TDoHH and classroom teachers to provide interpreting and support for deaf and hard of hearing students, employing American Sign Language and IEP-directed strategies across in-class and extracurricular settings.

Qualifications

• Two-year post-secondary program completed in Sign Language Interpretation.
• Grade 12 completed and WAVLI membership.
• Minimum of one year interpreter-related experience.
• Very high level of fluency in American Sign Language.
• Must join CUPE Union Local 728.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpreting services for classroom instruction, activities, assemblies, parent-student meetings, field trips and other school functions.
• Prepare for interpreting by previewing material, vocabulary and concepts.
• Participate as a member of the I.E.P. team.
• Review concepts with Deaf/Hard of Hearing students one-to-one or in groups when not interpreting.
• Operate FM equipment, captioning, and related tech upon request.
• Support behaviour and social skills development as defined in I.E.P.

Skills

ASL fluency

Deaf culture

Hearing-impaired student experience

IEP support

Curriculum understanding

Interpersonal skills

Education

Two-year post-secondary program in Sign Language Interpretation

Grade 12

WAVLI membership

Job description

Temporary Full Time Assignment with Bear Creek Elementary until January 31, 2028

THE ROLE

An Educational Sign Language Interpreter (ESLI) works as part of a collaborative team within the school system and provides interpreting and support services for deaf and hard of hearing students, consistent with the Ministry of Education guidelines. The duties involve facilitating communication between deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students and staff by providing educational interpreting services in and out of the classroom, adjusting to the communication and educational needs of the student as specified in the students’ Individual Education Plan (I.E.P). The ESLI receives direction from a District Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with regard to implementation of the students’ Individual Education Plan goals, and the Classroom Teacher with regard to implementation of the regular curriculum. The ESLI works collaboratively with a District Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Classroom Teacher to perform duties and responsibilities. The ESLI reports to the School Principal or designate.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides interpreting services for school functions including classroom instruction, activities, assemblies, counselling sessions, parent-student meetings, field trips, tutorials, musicales and other situations throughout the school day as required.
• Prepares as necessary for interpreting by previewing material, vocabulary, and concepts
• Participates as a member of the I.E.P. team
• Reviews previously taught concepts with deaf and hard of hearing students one-to-one or in small groups as requested and when interpreting is not required as indicated in the I.E.P.
• Operates equipment such as FM auditory equipment, close captioning, and computers upon request
• Assists with the implementation of behaviour management or social skills programs as defined in a students’ I.E.P.
• Ensures proper functioning of hearing aids, cochlear implants and other auditory equipment by performing daily listening checks and reporting any equipment malfunctions to the District Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Assists student(s) in maintaining, cleaning and troubleshooting hearing aids, cochlear implants and other auditory equipment
• Assists with the preparation of learning materials for deaf and hard of hearing students upon request
• Assists with implementing language development strategies as provided by the Speech Language Pathologists
• Works with the student on language development including use of American Sign Language
• Respects the confidential nature of information regarding students
• Performs other assigned related duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY & SKILLS

• Demonstrated fluency in American Sign Language
• Knowledge of Deaf culture and community resources
• Experience working and/or interacting with Deaf or Hard of Hearing people, especially children
• Understanding of the language implications in the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students
• Ability to adjust the signing, education and communication levels required, in accordance with students needs
• Ability to support student(s) in the implementation of his/her IEP
• Ability to understand and work with curriculum at the appropriate grade level (s)
• Ability to be flexible in order to meet the varying academic, social, emotional and behavioural needs of students
• Knowledge of the basic aspects of student’s physical, educational, social and emotional development
• Knowledge of the basic principles of educational practices, the function of support services, and the role of interpreters as a member of an educational team
• Effective interpersonal skills

Qualifications include:

• Successful completion of a two (2) year post-secondary program in Sign Language Interpretation and at least one year related experience
• Successful completion of grade 12, active member of Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI)
• Must have experience as an interpreter
• Very high level of fluency in ASL required

All successful applicants are required to join CUPE Union Local 728.

Note: Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Records Search prior to employment. Only those persons selected for interview will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.