Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Newton Public Schools USD 373; Newton (KS); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Newton Public Schools USD 373 in Newton, Kansas, seeks an experienced interpreter to facilitate communication for deaf/hard-of-hearing students. Responsibilities include interpreting spoken language into sign language and supporting students in understanding material across various settings.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, and preference for a BA degree in interpreting or equivalent, as well as certification at EIPA Level 3 or above. The position is vital to ensuring effective educational experiences for D/HH students.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prefer BA degree or AA in interpreting, or equivalent experience.
• Certification with Level 3 or above on the EIPA or RID preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interprets spoken words using appropriate sign language for D/HH students.
• Accurately conveys D/HH signs to voiced English.
• Provides tutoring and instructional support for D/HH students.
• Clarifies the interpreter’s role to staff and students.
• Participates in IEP meetings as a team member.

Skills

Understanding and expressing ASL

Manual sign language interpretation

Tutoring and instructional support

Effective teamwork with interpreters

Education

High school diploma or GED

BA or AA in interpreting

EIPA or RID certification (level 3 or above)

Job description

Reports To

Director of Special Education

Job Goal

To facilitate communication, and make cultural adjustments when necessary, between students who are deaf/hard-of-hearing (D/HH) and their hearing peers, teachers, and other personnel involved in the students’ education, using American Sign Language (ASL) or Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE) to convey spoken communication and intent, and to serve as a resource to other school personnel requiring assistance with the D/HH student.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Prefer BA degree or AA in interpreting, or completion of an interpreter training program, or equivalent experience
• Preferred certification: Level 3 or above on the EIPA or RID
• Competency in understanding and expressing ASL and/or Manually Coded English systems

Performance Responsibilities

• Interprets lectures, discussions, announcements, conversations, meetings, events, and other spoken word situations, using a manual sign language or system appropriate for the language and the cultural background of D/HH student and staff.
• Accurately interprets D/HH students’ signs into voiced fluent English for other students and staff.
• If needed, provides some tutoring and instructional support to the D/HH students to assist them in their classes to support the goals and objectives of the educational program.
• Assists in providing clarification of the interpreter’s role to all students and staff/faculty.
• Participates in IEP meetings as a team member providing insight on the student’s use of communication strategies, or as the interpreter for the meeting, but not both roles at the same time.
• Interprets at meetings attended by parents who are deaf/hard-of-hearing.
• Provides information and orientation to the D/HH students in emergency situations.
• Works effectively as a team with other sign language interpreters.
• Provides interpreting for situations that are part of the educational program that occur outside of the school environment (i.e. field trips).
• May interpret for extracurricular school activities in which the D/HH student is involved (sports, drama, etc.).
• Completes continuing education to maintain or work toward interpreter certification (EIPA or RID).