1278 Sign Language Interpreter

Northwest Area Education Ag; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwest AEA seeks a dedicated Sign Language Interpreter to facilitate communication between deaf and hard-of-hearing students and school staff. The interpreter will work across classrooms and school-sponsored events, ensuring access to all instructional activities.

The role requires Iowa licensure with the Department of Public Health and a two-year interpreter training program or equivalent experience. This is a full-time, on-site position serving multiple districts in Northwest Iowa.

Qualifications

• Licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• Two-year interpreter training program and/or experience with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret between spoken English and ASL for classroom, lectures, announcements, and school events.
• Work as a multidisciplinary team member at IEP meetings.
• Provide sign language instruction and in-service training for teachers as requested.
• Maintain confidentiality and support accessibility across instructional settings.
• Serve as liaison to promote rapport between general education and deaf education.

Education

Licensed Iowa IDPH credential

Two-year interpreter training program

Job description

Posting # 1278

Posting date: August 11, 2026

Closing date: Open until filled

Starting date: Immediately

Location: TBD

Overview

Northwest AEA provides visionary leadership and quality, student-centered services through relationships with families, schools, and communities. In short, our focus can be summed up in these four words: Inspiring Learning. Changing Lives.

Our vision is to be the first contact for timely and ongoing support to improve the performance outcomes and well-being of all learners.

About the Agency

Northwest AEA provides special education and school improvement services to 34 public school districts and 32 accredited, non-public schools. The agency serves 45,000 students and more than 5000 educators in a 10-county area of Northwest Iowa (Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, Monona, and Crawford).

Our headquarters is located at 5800 Discovery Blvd., near the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, with regional offices in Cherokee, Denison, Le Mars, Onawa, and Sioux Center.

Why Northwest AEA?

Our vision, mission, and anchors guide our actions. Staff at Northwest AEA believe that what they do inspires learning and leads to changed lives for the students, staff, and families we serve. Our work is anchored in building positive, professional relationships with stakeholders and with one another. We embrace responsiveness in how we serve so that students, staff, and families can see improved results.

Qualifications:

• Licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health
• Two-year (or more) interpreter training program and/or experience involving extensive contact with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community (Preferred)

Job Purpose:

Interpret between spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL) or another signed or visual system.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Interpret as delineated by the student's IEP, using the district's communication policy as a guide, including lectures, announcements, discussions, assemblies, etc.
• Interpret for school-sponsored functions outside of the classroom during regularly scheduled school hours
• Serve as a multidisciplinary team member at IEP meetings.
• Assisting with classroom modifications when appropriate, as determined by the IEP, educational team, or in consultation with other direct service personnel;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Seek professional development opportunities and attend district-sponsored professional development opportunities as appropriate;
• Serve as liaison to promote rapport between general education and deaf education classrooms, students, the school, and the deaf community
• Review text, lesson plans, etc. in preparation for the day;
• Provide sign language instruction in all instructional settings as requested
• Provide in-service training to new teachers regarding interpreter roles and responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned

If you are an internal candidate interested in this position you must complete the application process associated with this position.

It is the policy of Northwest Area Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jerome Schaefer, Equity Coordinator, 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa, 51111, 712-222-6114.