Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Newton Public School; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A school district is seeking an Educational Sign Language Interpreter to facilitate communication between deaf/hard-of-hearing students and their peers. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or GED, with a preference for a degree in interpreting or equivalent experience, and knowledge of ASL. Responsibilities include interpreting lectures and meetings, providing instructional support, and participating in IEP meetings. A collaborative team environment is emphasized.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preferred BA degree or AA in interpreting or equivalent experience.
• Competency in understanding and expressing ASL or Manually Coded English.
• Competency in understanding and expressing ASL and/or Manually Coded English systems.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication using ASL or CASE.
• Interpret discussions and announcements for D/HH students.
• Provide tutoring support to D/HH students as needed.
• Participate in IEP meetings and interpret when necessary.
• Work effectively as part of a team with other interpreters.
• Interprets at meetings attended by parents who are deaf/hard-of-hearing.
• Provides information and orientation to 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 outside of school (field trips).
• May interpret for extracurricular school activities (sports, drama).
• Completes continuing education to maintain or work toward interpreter certification (EIPA or RID).

Skills

Understanding ASL

Manual sign language proficiency

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

BA degree or AA in interpreting or interpreter training

Preferred certification: Level 3 or above on the EIPA or RID

EIPA or RID Level 3+ certification

Job description

Position Details

• Position Type: Student Support Services/ Educational Sign Language Interpreter
• Date Posted: 7/2/2025
• Location: Harvey County Special Education Cooperative
• Date Available: 08/01/2025
• Closing Date: Open until filled

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.

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.

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).