American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Internship

State of Oregon; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The Oregon State Legislature is seeking an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Intern in Salem for about three months, January through June 2027. The role requires roughly 25 hours per week and offers exposure to public testimony and remote proceedings within a nonpartisan legislative team.

You will work with LPRO’s Language Access Team and gain mentorship, developing professional interpreting skills in a legislative setting.

Qualifications

• Be a senior in an ASL interpreting program at a qualified educational institution.
• Strong proficiency in ASL and spoken English; familiarity with Deaf culture.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and nonpartisanship; work collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Work as a nonpartisan staff interpreter in a state legislative setting, including public testimony and remote proceedings.
• Collaborate with LPRO’s Language Access Team.
• Receive mentorship and professional growth opportunities.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Spoken English

Deaf culture familiarity

Professional ethics

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Nonpartisanship

Team collaboration

Feedback reception

Education

ASL interpreting program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Compensation

Salary Range: $17.00 / Hour

Position Information

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Internship

About the opportunity

The ASL interpreter internship will be approximately three months in length and will take place between January and June 2027, during the 2027 legislative session. The specific start and end dates will be determined based on program and placement needs. The intern is expected to work approximately 25 hours per week in Salem. The intern will gain experience in the functions of a nonpartisan staff interpreter in a state legislative setting, including public testimony and remote proceedings. The intern will work collaboratively with LPRO’s Language Access Team and be exposed to a variety of legislative topics while developing professional interpreting skills. The intern will be assigned a mentor who will provide professional growth and networking opportunities.

About the office

LPRO’s mission is to provide professional, nonpartisan staffing, analysis, and research that support and inform the policymaking process. Our highest priority is to ensure that Oregon’s legislature has access to relevant and timely information on public policy issues of interest to the state.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate for the ASL interpreter internship is eager to learn about the legislative process and to develop their interpreting skills in the legislative setting. They have strong proficiency in ASL and spoken English, familiarity with Deaf culture, an understanding of professional ethics, and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally. They are also able to maintain confidentiality and nonpartisanship and work collaboratively as part of LPRO’s interpreting team.

For complete details about this internship opportunity, including the specific qualifications, please review the position description here.

Minimum Qualifications

Be a senior in an ASL interpreting program at a qualified educational institution.

Other Requirements

• Strong desire to learn about the legislative process through hands‑on experience
• Ability to work effectively in a nonpartisan role and serve individuals with differing political and policy perspectives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of: ASL and spoken English grammar, vocabulary, and syntax
• Deaf culture, including relevant social norms, history, and values
• Professional interpreting ethics, including neutrality, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest
• Skill in:
  • Communicating effectively in both ASL and spoken English
  • Preparing for interpreting assignments, including researching unfamiliar concepts and terminology
  • Working collaboratively as part of an interpreting team
  • Receiving and incorporating feedback to further develop interpreting skills
  • Computer applications, including the Microsoft suite
• Ability to:
  • Communicating effectively and professionally in person and in writing
  • Learn and accurately convey specialized terminology and concepts
  • Maintain attention to detail
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Remain nonpartisan in a highly political environment
  • Work effectively with people with differing perspectives and communication needs
  • Collaborate with LPRO team members

Special Information

Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. If you are requesting veterans' preference, you may receive an additional questionnaire in your Workday account. To ensure your privacy, we are asking that you complete the Veterans’ Questionnaire and attach your qualifying military documents at that time. This questionnaire will be sent to your Workday account after you submit your application. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before the application deadline; extensions may be granted if necessary and reasonable. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources. Or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum and desired skills listed above.

Work Authorization

The Oregon State Legislature does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. The Oregon State Legislature is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Aimee Steketee, Human Resource Analyst, at [e-mail] or [phone].

The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”