Educational Interpreter (ASL)

Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Total Communication; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent Intermediate School District in Grand Rapids, Michigan, seeks an Educational Interpreter (ASL) to provide high-quality interpretation and transliteration services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students. The role supports equitable access to education and social interaction within the school environment.

The candidate will interpret in real-time, collaborate with teachers, and participate in IEP teams, while adhering to professional ethics and district policies.

Qualifications

• EIPA 4.0 or NIC/BEI certification and state credential.
• Fluency in American Sign Language and English; ability to provide multiple modes of communication as required by IEP.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time ASL-English interpretation for classroom activities and events.
• Adapt interpretation styles to student needs and promote direct interaction with teachers and peers.
• Cooperate with teachers to optimize placement, lighting, and visibility for accessibility.
• Facilitate communication for non-academic moments (lunch, recess, transitions) and support social integration.
• Participate as a member of the IEP team and maintain confidentiality per ethics guidelines.

Skills

EIPA 4.0 / NIC/BEI

ASL & English fluency

Job description

Kent Intermediate School District Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Total Communication - Grand Rapids, Michigan Open in Google Maps

Educational Interpreter (ASL)

Kent Intermediate School District Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Total Communication - Grand Rapids, Michigan Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Kent Intermediate School District , and Kent ISD

Job Details

Job ID: 5623112

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Re-Posted: Jul 07, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 18, 2026

Job Description

Title: Educational Interpreter (ASL)

Reports to: Supervisor- Low Incidence (Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Visual Impairment)

Terms of Employment: 182 Days - Kent ISD Interpreter Association

BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Educational Interpreter (ASL) provides high-quality interpretation and transliteration services that ensure students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind have equitable access to all educational opportunities, social interactions, and incidental learning within the school environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum score of 4.0 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or equivalent national certification (NIC, BEI) and valid Michigan Certification.
• Fluency in American Sign Language and English, with the ability to provide various modes of communication (e.g., Conceptually Accurate Signed English, Cued Speech) as required by the student's IEP.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide real-time interpretation (ASL to English and English to ASL/visual system) of all classroom activities, including lectures, peer discussions, announcements, and school-wide events.
• Adapt interpretation styles to match the student’s cognitive and maturational level. The interpreter promotes student autonomy by encouraging direct interaction with teachers and peers rather than acting as a "helper."
• Collaborate with the teacher to ensure optimal physical placement (lighting, line of sight, and proximity) so the student can access both the interpreter and the visual instructional materials simultaneously.
• Facilitate communication for non-academic moments, such as lunch, recess, and hallway transitions, ensuring the student is socially integrated into the school culture.
• Act as a contributing member of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. This includes sharing observations regarding the student’s communication access and linguistic needs (while deferring academic assessment to the teacher).
• Adhere to the Educational Interpreter Code of Ethics (EICOE), maintaining strict confidentiality while balancing the mandatory reporting requirements of a K-12 setting.
• Dedicate compensated time to previewing lesson plans, textbooks, and technical vocabulary to ensure the accuracy of the interpretation.
• Prioritize interpreting duties over secondary tasks. Non-interpreting duties (e.g., tutoring or supervising) must be clearly defined by the IEP team and must not conflict with the primary role of providing communication access.

• Participates in staff and building meetings as appropriate and as requested by teachers or by Program Administrator.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to read, write and communicate in English to understand directions and communicate with students and staff.
• Willingness to work as part of a team of professionals.
• Requires high levels of physical stamina for continuous signing and mental alertness for simultaneous linguistic processing.
• Commitment to ongoing education to maintain certification and stay current with best practices in deaf education and interpreting technology.
• Ability to drive between buildings, local school districts and community sites.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

The final candidate for this position will be required (at their cost) to furnish Kent Intermediate School District with a current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check prior to our recommendation to hire.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition), age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Dave Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Dave Rogers , Asst. Superintendent HR
• 2930 Knapp St. NE
• Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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