Ex Ed Interpreter for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Certified)

Hamilton County Department of Education; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, TN seeks an Educational Interpreter to facilitate communication for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, supporting classrooms and field activities. The role involves interpreting, tutoring, and participating as a team member in educational planning and meetings.

Applicants must hold a State Education Interpreter license or meet alternate criteria (Associate’s degree, EIPA scores).

Qualifications

• Sign language skills matching high school curriculum pace and vocabulary
• Pass an in-house competency assessment (EIPA)
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with students with various disabilities
• Willingness to be trained in nonviolence crisis intervention techniques

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication for deaf or hard-of-hearing students in academic and non‑academic settings
• Meet in-house competency assessment requirements for sign language interpretation
• Use interpreting strategies and techniques effectively
• Provide academic assistance to students with hearing impairment
• Accompany students to various sites including field trips and activities
• Perform duties to support deaf education teachers and other staff
• Prepare and manage documents related to instruction and school operations
• Operate equipment and tools used in interpreting and related tasks
• May assist with lifting and physical positioning as needed
• Maintain reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license
• Coordinate with supervisors and school personnel to plan services
• Attend and participate in staff, parent, and IEP-Team meetings
• Follow safety procedures for assigned areas
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support student learning
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethics rules
• Assist with additional duties as assigned

Skills

Sign language proficiency

In-house EIPA assessment

Verbal and written communication

Collaborative work with diverse needs

Training in crisis intervention (non--

Education

Education Interpreter License

Associate’s degree

Job description

Overview

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to facilitate communication among students who are deaf or hard of hearing, their hearing peers, the classroom teacher and other personnel in the school system. The educational interpreter provides interpreting and support services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing being educated in the school district. Other duties that may be performed when they do not interfere with interpreting include tutoring, participation in meetings and being an active member of the school’s educational team.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication for students with hearing impairments in academic and non‑academic settings
• Must have sign language skills at a level equivalent to the rate, pace and vocabulary of high school curriculum and be able to pass an in‑house competency assessment
• Use interpreting strategies and techniques
• Provide academic assistance to students with hearing impairment
• Accompany assigned student(s) site to site including field trips and extracurricular activities
• Perform miscellaneous tasks as needed for deaf education teacher and other teachers serving hearing impaired students
• Prepare and receive various documents pertaining to student instruction and school operations
• Operate various equipment and tools associated with projects and work activities
• Task may require the ability to exert physical effort which will require lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects/materials
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Must be flexible with daily schedule
• Communicate with supervisors, school officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the community, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities under the direction of administration or special education teacher/supervisor
• Attend staff meetings, parent meetings, IEP‑Team meetings, or other meetings as required
• Follow established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe
• Work collaboratively with supervisor, administrators, employees, students, and other stakeholders
• Attend work regularly and arrive to work in a timely fashion
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law
• Other responsibilities may include lifting, transferring, and positioning students with physical support needs; appropriate use of assistive technology; feeding/oral‑motor interventions; signing; Brailing instructional materials; augmentative systems; etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Applicants must have one of the following to be considered for this position:

• Hold a School Service Personnel License as an Education Interpreter (#147)
• OR Satisfy one of the following criteria:
  • Non‑licensed educational interpreters employed by a local school system prior to January 2021 must satisfy the following requirements by January 1, 2021:
    • Obtain a passing score on the written portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)
    • Obtain a minimum score of 3.0 on the performance assessment portion of the EIPA
  • Non‑licensed educational interpreters employed by a local school system on January 1, 2021, or after, must satisfy the following requirements:
    • Hold at a minimum an associate’s degree
    • Obtain a passing score on the written portion of the EIPA
    • Obtain a minimum score of 3.0 on the performance assessment portion of the EIPA

If the applicant holds the State Interpreter License, they will be paid on the teacher scale. If you hold a license in another state, you must apply for a Tennessee license.

If the applicant does not hold the State Interpreter License, they will be paid on the classified scale at a Grade 15.

With a willingness to seek licensure.

Skills/Qualifications

• Must have sign language skills at a level equivalent to the rate, pace and vocabulary of high school curriculum
• Be able to pass an in‑house competency assessment
• Demonstrate proficient verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with students who have a variety of disabilities
• Training in or willingness to be trained in nonviolence crisis intervention techniques

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

Salary Scale

This position may be eligible for an increase in total compensation. The Differentiated Compensation Plan applies to designated schools and hard‑to‑staff positions. Please see https://www.hcde.org/staff/human_resources/differentiated_compensation for more details.