Educational Interpreter II

Unalaska City School District; Alaska; On-site; USD 39,200 - 56,545; Full time

Job summary

The Unalaska City School District is seeking a full-time Educational Interpreter to provide support for deaf students by interpreting and transliterating in various educational settings. Candidates should possess an Associate's degree and fluency in American Sign Language along with a strong understanding of American Deaf culture. The position also involves adapting communication styles to meet the needs of individual students.

This role requires a commitment to continual improvement and participation in annual training sessions. Working conditions are in a professional environment with diverse individuals.

Qualifications

• Must have ability to interpret ASL to English effectively.
• Knowledge of multicultural environments is necessary.
• Must acquire an EIPA 4.0 or above within three years.

Responsibilities

• Interpret for deaf students in classroom and extracurricular activities.
• Adapt communications to meet students' needs.
• Participate in IEP meetings when necessary.

Skills

Fluency in American Sign Language

Effective communication skills

Knowledge of American Deaf culture

Ability to interpret academic English

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's or master's in ASL Interpreting

Job description

Bargaining Unit: ACE Work Year: 182 days per year Work Day: 8 hours per day FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE Salary: ACE D, step A - P ($39,200 - $56,545), DOE

Job Summary

The Educational Interpreter interprets and transliterates between deaf students and English speaking non‑signers in school‑related environments. The interpreter provides other supports to the learning environment such as directing attention and identifying environmental sounds. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Job Requirements

Required:

1. Associate's degree.
2. Must acquire an EIPA 4.0 or above and the passage of the knowledge Written Test within three years of hire.
3. Must be fluent in American Sign Language and spoken/written English, including academic English.
4. Must have the ability to effectively and accurately comprehend, interpret, and transliterate ASL to English and vice versa among students, staff, parents, administrators, and the public.
5. Must be knowledgeable regarding American Deaf culture and sensitive to multicultural environmental conditions.

Preferred:

1. An associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in American Sign Language Interpreting from an accredited college or university.
2. Must be working toward RID certification or equivalent.
3. Completion of an educational interpreter training program, or documented proof of ongoing participation in interpreter training activities.
4. Minimum of two years of paid interpreting work.
5. Possession and maintenance of an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment rating of 3.5.
6. Receipt of a passing score on the Educational Interpreter Knowledge Assessment (EIPA-WT).

Essential Job Functions

1. Interprets and transliterates between Deaf & Hard of Hearing students and English speaking non-signers in the classroom, and in other settings to include activities both on campus, the community, and school related extracurricular activities.
2. Interprets and transliterates between Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff and English speaking non-signers for school related purposes, when not assigned to students.
3. Adapts signing level to communication needs of the students.
4. Ensures appropriate logistics such as lighting and seating are implemented for effective interpreting.
5. Prepares for content and message delivery of instructional materials.
6. Provides clear and appropriate information for substitute interpreters.
7. Functions as a member of the educational team, at times participating in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
8. Attends interpreter training and skill building sessions annually.
9. Interacts with the public as a representative of AKSD.
10. Demonstrates in work activities and interactions knowledge of the role, duties, and functions of an educational interpreter.
11. Works with students ages 3 to 21 with a variety of disabilities and in a variety of educational settings.
12. Works as an effective educational team member.
13. Abides by the Anchorage School District protocol/policy and to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
14. Maintains professional boundaries as noted in the Alaska Educational Interpreter Handbook.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking, and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to communicate by oral and written means in an appropriate business manner and have cognitive skills to understand instructions, readily recall facts and details, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure.

The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with qualified physical or mental disabilities.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Job Information

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Anchorage School District employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, coworkers, and the public. Employees must also have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

The Anchorage School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.