Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator

Bucks County Intermediate Unit; Doylestown (Bucks County); On-site; USD 9,000 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PaTTAN internship stipend

Job summary

Bucks IU is seeking an Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator to support deaf or hard of hearing students and participate in an interpreter development program.

The internship blends instructional support with mentoring through PaTTAN and on-site coaching from an experienced Bucks IU Interpreter. It targets EIPA 3.5 and future employment in this field.

Qualifications

• Must have completed EIPA or score 3.5+; results may be pending.
• Educational Interpreter Preparation coursework preferred.
• Experience with children or students with disabilities preferred.
• Credential options acceptable per Bucks IU requirements.

Responsibilities

• Participate fully in the PaTTAN Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program.
• Observe experienced interpreters across settings.
• Develop ASL and educational interpreting skills.
• Assist with data collection of student performance.
• Support students with daily living activities and mobility as needed.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Professional growth

Office software

Education

EIPA 3.5+

Educational Interpreter Prep

ASL/Deaf studies coursework

Associate or Bachelor degree

High school diploma with credentials

Tools

Educational technology

Office software

Job description

Job Summary: The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator is a developmental position created to prepare individuals for a career as an Educational Interpreter serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator will serve in a paraeducator role, providing instructional and classroom support, while participating in a structured interpreter development program. The position combines supervised educational support responsibilities with intensive professional learning through the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program and individualized coaching from an experienced Bucks IU Educational Interpreter.

The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator is expected to demonstrate continuous professional growth throughout the internship while developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to achieve a minimum score of 3.5 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and become eligible for future employment as an Educational Interpreter. This position is not eligible for remote work, telecommuting, or off-site work assignments.

Classified Core Essential Functions: Primary duties and responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully fulfill the requirements of a position.

Interpreter Development

• Participate fully in thePaTTANEducational Interpreter Mentoring Program.
• Meet regularly with an assigned Bucks IU Educational Interpreter mentor.
• Observe experienced Educational Interpreters across a variety of educational settings.
• Participate in guided interpreting practice under the supervision of qualified mentors.
• Develop receptive and expressive American Sign Language skills.
• Develop educational interpreting skills including vocabulary development, educational discourse, interpreting strategies, and professional decision-making.
• Learn and apply the Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters.
• Participate in workshops, seminars, and professional development activities related to deaf education and educational interpreting.
• Demonstrate growth through ongoing mentor feedback, self-reflection, and performance coaching.

Student Support

• Regular attendance and reliable on-site presence.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring(if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from ateacher).
• Assistwith classroom management, such as organizinginstructionaland/orother materials.
• Act as a liaison in communicating withteacherand other IU and district staffregardingongoing needs of students.
• Support parental involvement activities.
• Provide support across all educational settings;escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings.
• Assistthe student to use equipment.
• Assistthe student to use andmaintainaugmentative communication devices.
• Assista student to ambulate, position, and transfer.
• Support students inrangeof motion and other exercises.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (e.feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc.).
• Monitor the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions (e.g., seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
• Accompanystudenton school bus orothervehicle.
• Cue, redirector monitor to ensurethatthe student performs ADL tasks when a cognitive impairment prevents a student from knowing when or how to carry out the task (e.g., a student may not be able to dress without instruction on how to do so or need reminders of what to do and when).
• Observe/monitor and redirect/intervention toassistwith completion ofADL’s.
• Cue the student to pay attention,participateinactivitiesand complete tasks.
• Participate in the implementation of each student'sIEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and C.E.Rs(if applicable)
• Assistwith data collection of student performance.
• May betrained, whenqualified,tooccasionally transport students.
• Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (e.g., behavior, communication, health, transportation).
• Track information about each student including needs, strengths,gainsand problem areas.
• Assistwith setting upeducationalenvironment and preparing materials for instruction.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.

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

This position requires regular on-site presence and includes a combination of sedentary and active physical duties. Employees are regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for fine motor tasks, and move throughout the work environment. Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, and positioning at student level for extended periods of time. Depending on assignment and student needs, employees may also be required to assist with transitions, mobility support, and instructional or daily living activities. The employee must be able to lift up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds occasionally. Certain assignments may require assisting students with mobility or physical support needs that exceed 25 pounds, with appropriate training and support provided in accordance with program expectations and safety procedures. This position requires active supervision of students across various educational settings and the ability to respond appropriately and efficiently to students, classroom, or safety needs. Responsibilities may include implementing approved crisis intervention techniques, supporting students with diverse educational, behavioral, communication, and personal care needs, and maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Employees may work in environments with elevated noise levels and varying behavioral or emotional support needs. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret sounds within the environment, including student communication, alarms, and other potential safety concerns. Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday. Hours may vary based on district assignments, program needs, meetings, training, or organizational priorities. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties in demand.

Travel

No regular travel is required for this position. Occasional travel to meetings, trainings, conferences, Bucks IU locations, or other work-related activities may be necessary based on organizational needs.

Education and Experience

• Have completed the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and be awaiting official results;or
• Must have achieved an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) score of 3.5 or higher required.
• Completion of an Educational Interpreter Preparation Program preferred.
• Coursework in Educational Interpreting, American Sign Language, Deaf Studies, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with children or students with disabilities preferred.

• Must meet the requirements of a “highly qualified” paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following:
• Associate or BachelorDegree
• At least 48 college/university credits
• A high school diploma orequivalencyand successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/universitycredits or anAssociate or BachelorDegree).

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrates developingproficiencyin American Sign Language.
• Demonstrates a willingness to receive coaching and implement feedback.
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous professional growth.
• Ability toestablishand maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and families.
• Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, reliability, and flexibility.
• Working knowledge of educational technology and standard office software.

Internship Requirements

• Successfullyparticipatein thePaTTANEducational Interpreter Mentoring Program.
• Participate in ongoing on-site mentoring provided by a Bucks IU Educational Interpreter.
• Attend all required mentoring sessions, workshops, and professional learning activities.
• Complete all required assignments associated with the mentoring program.
• Demonstrate satisfactory professional growth throughout the internship.

Internship Stipend

The Educational Interpreter Intern/Paraeducator includes a $10,000 stipend funded through the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN).

Payment of the stipend is contingent upon successful completion of all requirements of the PaTTAN Educational Interpreter Mentoring Program, including attendance, participation, and completion of required activities.

Successful completion of the internship and receipt of the stipend does not guarantee employment as an Educational Interpreter. Employment in an Educational Interpreter position requires meeting all qualifications established for that position, including achieving a minimum score of 3.5 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or otherwise meeting applicable state requirements.

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.

Primary Location

US-PA-DOYLESTOWN

Work Locations

Itinerant Countywide

Job

Related Services-Interpreter

Organization

Bucks IU Business Unit

Schedule

Full-time

Job Posting

Aug 9, 2026, 11:16:48 AM