VISUAL LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

School District #40 (New Westminster); New Westminster; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

New Westminster School District seeks a Visual Language Interpreter to support Deaf and hard-of-hearing students across classrooms and activities. The role involves interpreting in ASL, contact signing, and spoken language modalities in line with individual IEPs.

The interpreter collaborates with teachers and the educational team to reinforce concepts, review materials, and promote student independence. Travel between sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 graduation.
• ASL–English interpreting Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Active WAVLI membership or eligibility.
• Fluency in ASL with adaptable signing styles.
• Experience with individuals with disabilities and diverse abilities.
• Minimum one year interpreting experience with children or youth.
• Knowledge of child development and impact of hearing loss on learning.
• Understanding of educational practices and inclusive supports.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with technology and assistive tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpreting services to facilitate communication among students, peers, teachers, staff, and families.
• Support student learning by collaborating with the educational team.
• Consult with DDHHT and teachers to support learning goals.
• Prepare for interpreting by reviewing course materials and vocabulary.
• Promote student independence and understanding of the interpreter's role.
• Support staff understanding of Deaf culture and interpreter role.
• Interpret assessments and student responses as required.
• Implement IEPs, personal care plans, and other programs.
• Maintain amplification and assistive equipment.
• Complete required documentation and adhere to policies.

Skills

ASL–English interpreting

Fluency in ASL

Educational interpreting

Interpersonal skills

Communication with Deaf/HH students

Organizational skills

Driver's license

Record keeping

Education

Grade 12 graduation

ASL–English interpreting Diploma

WAVLI membership eligibility

First Aid certification (asset)

Tools

Captioning software

Assistive technology

Computers/Tablets

Job description

VISUAL LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

SCOPE OF POSITION

Under the direction of the Director of Instruction, Inclusive Education or designate, the primary role of the Visual Language Interpreter is to facilitate communication between individuals who do not share a common language. This includes interpreting for Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing student(s) and their hearing peers, classroom teachers, parents/caregivers, school staff, and administrators.

Interpretation services are provided in classroom settings as well as during school activities such as meetings, assemblies, field trips, athletic teams, clubs, and other educational experiences.

This is a district-based position. As such, interpreters may be assigned to one or more school sites and should expect to travel between locations based on where student support needs arise.

Employees in this role also support student learning by assisting individuals or small groups with a variety of tasks. The position requires specialized skills to effectively support students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This work demands a high degree of initiative, emotional regulation, empathy, and an understanding of the diverse and complex needs of students. The interpreter must exercise sound judgment in responding to a variety of situations while working under the direction of classroom teacher(s) and District Deaf & Hard of Hearing Teacher (DDHHT) and supervised by the Director of Instruction, Inclusive Education or designate.

JOB FUNCTION

• Provide interpreting services to facilitate communication between students, peers, teachers, staff, and families, using appropriate modalities (e.g., ASL, contact signing, spoken language) as outlined in the student's IEP
• Support student learning and participation by working collaboratively with the educational team
• Consult regularly with DTDHH and subject teachers to support achievement of learning goals and reinforce concepts and vocabulary
• Prepare for interpreting by reviewing course materials, technical language, and instructional approaches
• Promote student independence and understanding of the interpreter's role
• Support staff understanding of the interpreter's role and Deaf culture
• Interpret assessments, including test questions and student responses, as required
• Implement and support Individual Education Plans (IEPs), personal care plans, and other individualized programs
• Provide insight into cultural and linguistic factors affecting student learning and behaviour
• Maintain and manage amplification and assistive equipment
• Complete required documentation and adhere to district policies, procedures, and professional standards

• Participate in relevant professional development and team meetings
• Other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 graduation
• ASL–English interpreting Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution
• Active membership in WAVLI (Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters) or meets eligibility criteria for membership
• Fluency in ASL, with ability to adapt to a range of signing styles and communication needs
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities and diverse abilities;
• Minimum one year of interpreting experience with children or youth in educational or community settings
• Knowledge of child development (educational, physical, social, emotional) and the impact of hearing loss on learning
• Understanding of language development and communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing students
• Knowledge of educational practices, inclusive supports, and the role of interpreters within a school team
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively
• Ability to maintain records and collect/monitor student-related data
• Proficiency with technology, including adaptive and assistive tools (e.g., computers, tablets, captioning software)
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development specific to interpreting
• First Aid certification considered an asset
• This position may require movement between school sites during the school day. Class 5 Driver's license and reliable transportation is required.

HOURS OF WORK & SALARY

• 32 hours per week, 8:15am – 3:25pm, Monday-Friday at $39.60 per hour (inclusive of July 1, 2025 & 2026, rate increases)
• As this is a new bargaining unit position, the wage placement will be subject to review by the Joint Job Evaluation Committee (JJEC) as per the terms of the CUPE 409 Collective Agreement.

About New Westminster Schools

Serving the community of New Westminster, the New Westminster School District provides high quality educational programs to over 7,000 students in a variety of learning environments. New Westminster is in the center of Metro Vancouver between the larger communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Richmond. Despite its location the city is relatively small and has retained a strong sense of history and community. The total population is approximately 82,000 and expected to grow to 104,000 by 2041. District schools are in general, fully subscribed, and a steady increase in student enrolment is expected over the next ten years.

New Westminster School District has a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and needs. Together, we are a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners.

The New Westminster School District recognizes and acknowledges the Qayqayt First Nation, as well as all Coast Salish peoples, on whose traditional and unceded territories we live, we learn, we play and we do our work.

New Westminster Schools welcomes and encourages applications from women, visible minorities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, any gender identity or gender expression. If you require an accommodation through our hiring process, please include your request in the application email to [e-mail].