Educational Interpreter

Bucks County Intermediate Unit; Doylestown (Bucks County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Educational Interpreter for the 24-25 school year. This vital role supports deaf and hard of hearing students by ensuring effective communication with teachers and peers. The interpreter will actively participate in the educational team, adapting communication methods to meet individual student needs. This full-time position offers a collaborative environment where your skills will directly impact students' educational experiences. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess the required qualifications, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• BA or Associate’s Degree in Educational Interpreting required.
• Minimum score of 3.5 on EIPA or RID certification required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication for deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Collaborate with educational teams and provide input on interpreting services.
• Promote self-advocacy for students regarding their interpreting needs.

Skills

Nonverbal communication techniques

Reverse interpretation techniques

Broad sign language vocabulary

Modern office practices

English language proficiency

Understanding hearing loss impact

Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters

Effective working relationships

Education

BA or Associate’s Degree in Educational Interpreting

Job description

Job Description - Educational Interpreter 24-25 School Year (24000069)

Description

Job Summary: Supports the education process for students who are deaf and hard of hearing by facilitating accurate communication between the students and their teachers, hearing peers, and other school personnel. In addition, the interpreter will serve as a member of the student's educational team.

Essential Functions:

• Interpreter may voice for the student as needed.
• Interpret/transliterate lectures, discussions, tests, films, assemblies, and extracurricular activities for students who are deaf and hard of hearing utilizing the student’s most beneficial communication mode and adjusting the language level to meet student needs.
• When necessary, provide tutoring in the form of expansion of background knowledge, language, and vocabulary (spoken or signed) used in a lesson.
• Work closely with the Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) and collaborate with school staff. Participate in educational team meetings, providing input on the student’s use of interpreting services and proficiency in communication, general functioning in the mainstream setting.
• In collaboration with the TOD, provide staff orientations on hearing loss and the use of an interpreter.
• Improve knowledge of and skill in interpreting through participation in workshops, in-services, and seminars to meet state requirements for professional development.
• Promote self-advocacy by helping the student understand his/her needs related to interpreting, language, social opportunities, and rights.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hours are dependent on the building assignment. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: Travel between buildings and to team meetings may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• BA or Associate’s Degree in Educational Interpreting.
• Minimum score of 3.5 on Educational Interpreter’s Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) OR Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Requires the ability to display knowledge of techniques for communicating nonverbally using body language, mime, facial expression, gestures, and cues.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of methods used in reverse interpretation of the manual communication of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (sign to voice techniques).
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of broad sign language vocabulary.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of the English language, including grammar and spelling.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of the impact and implications of hearing loss on the student's comprehension of English.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge and practice of the Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters.
• Requires the ability to interpret and transliterate at a reasonable rate as determined by EIPA certification requirements.
• Requires the ability to understand and utilize a variety of communication modes used by hearing impaired students.
• Requires the ability to display knowledge of reverse interpreting (sign to voice) the signed communication of students.
• Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws.