Educational Specialist, (American Sign Language Interpreter Training Program)

University of Hawaii system; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i at Manoa invites applications for Educational Specialist to lead the newly launched ASL Interpreter Training Program within the College of Arts, Languages and Letters, Linguistics Department.

The position focuses on program management, advising, curriculum coordination, and data tracking to support student success and workforce development across campuses. This is a full-time, 11-month, temporary appointment with obligations for recruitment and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Sign Language Interpretation or related field with at least 3 years of related experience.
• Broad knowledge of ASL interpretation and interpreter credentialing.
• Experience in program management, advising, and administrative coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead launch and administration of a bachelor-level ASL Interpreter Training Program.
• Research existing ASL ITP models to guide program design for multiple islands.
• Manage curriculum proposals and course actions.
• Coordinate administrative requirements for new concentrations in ASL and Sign Language Interpretation.
• Track program data, enrollments, student performance, and progress.
• Advise students on requirements, courses, orientation, and career readiness.

Skills

Program management

Advising

Data management

ASL interpretation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sign Language Interpretation or related field

Tools

Word processing software

Database management

Job description

Educational Specialist, (American Sign Language Interpreter Training Program) (pos.0096871T) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

Full-Time Temporary

Job Number

2026-02309

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - CALL - Department of Linguistics

Opening Date

10/28/2026

11/16/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number:

0096871T

Description

Title: Educational Specialist (American Sign Language Interpreter Training Program)
Position Number: 0096871T
Hiring Unit: College of Arts, Languages and Letters, Linguistics Department
Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Date Posted: October 28, 2026
Closing Date: November 16, 2026
Band: B
Salary: salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Month: 11-Month
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead to launch and administer a bachelor-level American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Training Program (ITP).
• Conducts research on established ASL ITPs to gather information for a program model tailored to higher education needs that serve students on multiple islands. Presents findings and strategic recommendations to the department, college leadership and community stakeholders to guide program design decisions.
• Manages the administrative logistics for curriculum proposals and processes course actions.
• Establishes and coordinates administrative requirements for new and expanded concentrations in ASL and Sign Language Interpretation.
• Tracks ASL ITP data; monitors program data and maintains databases regarding enrollments, student performance, and progress.
• Serves as an advisor to assist students with program requirements, course offerings, orientation, and campus navigation.
• Advises students on the transition from language learning to professional interpreting, including necessary credentials, licensure disclosure, and national standards for interpreter candidates.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements new student orientation sessions.
• Acts as the program's primary point of contact for responding to inquiries, disseminating information, and assisting with faculty recruitments.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements recruitment activities and special academic events to promote the department's undergraduate and graduate offerings.
• Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with interpretation-related community organizations, interpreting agencies, and state agencies to support student recruitment, secure practicum and mentorship opportunities, and drive workforce development initiatives.
• Facilitates requests for extramural funding to support the ITP, including renewal of funding.
• Resolves operational, academic, and administrative matters effectively in accordance with current policies and procedures.
• Keeps abreast of federal, state, and university policies and professional standards governing ASL interpretation, language access, and academic research
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Deaf Studies, Linguistics or a related field and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for program management, academic advising, administrative coordination, or sign language interpretation; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of interpretation of ASL as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range and pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with higher education, student academic services, or disability and communication access for d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problem in an effective and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employees relations.
• Demonstrated expertise in ASL interpretation, including comprehensive knowledge of the interpreting profession, training pathways (ITPs), and local and national credentialing systems.
• Proven experience working closely with Deaf communities and a demonstrated ability to network within the professional interpreting field to promote students and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, organize, analyze, and share program data for tracking and reporting purposes.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends for program-related events and activities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Deaf Studies, Linguistics, or a related field.
• Experience in website maintenance and using social media for public relations.
• Experience planning and executing promotional campaigns, outreach strategies, or recruitment events targeted at prospective students or community stakeholders.
• Fluency in ASL.

Inquiries: Amy Schafer, Linguistics Department Chair, [e-mail]

EEO, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/