Educational Interpreter - Specialized Program Assistant

Special Services; Lawrence (MI); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in Michigan is seeking an Educational Interpreter to provide vital interpreter services for deaf students, facilitating communication within the classroom. The ideal candidate will hold relevant qualifications and demonstrate a commitment to inclusive education. Responsibilities include assisting in classroom communication, participating in educational team meetings, and supporting IEP implementations. Competitive pay based on union contracts is provided for this crucial role within the special services department.

Qualifications

• EIPA score of at least a 4.0 or working towards qualified certification.
• RID certification and NAD-RID certification at a certified level preferred.
• Experience interpreting in a school setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational interpreter services to ensure language access.
• Assist in communication between teachers and deaf students.
• Participate as a member of the educational team.

Skills

Knowledge of implications of deafness on childhood development and language acquisition

Skills necessary to support an effective team

Ability to interpret lectures and lessons

Ability to provide incidental learning opportunities

Sign-to-voice interpretation skills

Knowledge of and ability to use technology

Ability to breakdown language concepts

Willingness to participate in team meetings

Classroom discipline skills

Ability to provide feedback on teaching practices

Commitment to continuing education for certification

Principles of Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence

Education

Degree in an educationally-related field

BA Degree (preferred)

Graduate of an Interpreter Training Program

Job description

Educational Interpreter - Specialized Program Assistant

Job ID: 4898078

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Re-Posted: Jan 19, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Details

Location of Work: Multiple locations (Base Location: Special Services Building, 701 S Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, MI 49057)

Hours to Work: 7 hours per day

Classification: Specialized Program Assistant

Job Description

Reports To: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program Supervisor

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Rate of Pay: Pay range as stated in support staff union contract

Job Goal(s): The primary job goal of the Educational Interpreter is to provide educational interpreter services, as assigned, to ensure uninterrupted language access. Generally speaking, educational interpreter services include (a) the communication of classroom information between General Education Teachers, the Deaf Student, and other hearing students, and (b) assistance to the Deaf Education Teacher in providing services to students in the DHH classroom.

Qualifications:

Education: Degree of coursework in an educationally-related field. BA Degree (preferred) and/or Graduate of an Interpreter Training Program

Certification:

• An Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) score of at least a 4.0 or working toward qualified certification
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification
• NAD-RID certification (NIC) at a certified level
• BEI2

Work Experience: Experience interpreting in the school setting is preferred, but not required

Skills:

• Knowledge of implications of deafness on childhood development and language acquisition
• Skills necessary to support and foster an effective team working environment
• Ability to accompany students throughout their school environment and interpret lectures, lessons and any other information presented to students
• Ability to provide incidental learning opportunities for students throughout their school day
• Sign-to-voice interpretation for students to teachers, service providers and peers
• Knowledge of and ability to use technology for the purposes of organization, communication and developing and providing accommodations to students
• Ability to breakdown language concepts to students to ensure comprehension and language acquisition
• Ability to prepare for interpreting in academic settings by reviewing books, teacher emails, course content materials, and other instructional information
• Willingness to participate, as a member of the educational team, in team meetings, development of the student’s Individualized Education Plans and student evaluations
• Skills needed to maintain classroom discipline, through a cooperative effort with the teacher, by implementing behavioral management programming
• Ability to provide input and feedback to the supervising teacher, regarding best practices in teaching with a Deaf student in the classroom
• Willingness to follow and support the implementation of student IEPs and related recommendations
• Willingness to continue educational and professional growth in order to maintain all required interpreter certifications.
• Willingness to participate in monthly team meetings
• Ability to demonstrate the principles of Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence
• Willingness to adhere to Van Buren ISD policies and procedures, complete assigned responsibilities within agreed upon or established timelines, and perform other duties as assigned by the Special Education Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

• Valid Driver's License required
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time

Terms of Employment: As per master agreement and provisions established by the Van Buren Board of Education.

Position is open until filled.

In-house staff must fill out the online internal application.

Position Type: Regular

Job Requirements

Contact Information

• Van Buren HR
• 490 South Paw Paw St.
• Lawrence, Michigan 49064
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]