Itinerant Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Kanawha County Public Schools; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Kanawha County Public Schools is seeking an Educational Sign Language Interpreter responsible for providing communication access through sign language for students in various instructional settings. The role requires strong communication skills and a deep understanding of deaf culture.

The ideal candidate must have a high school diploma or GED and appropriate certification. This position is pivotal in supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring effective learning experiences.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Criminal background check required.
• Registered with the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Responsibilities

• Provide communication access for students using sign language.
• Interpret for students in academic and non-academic settings.
• Work cooperatively with educators and students.

Skills

Effective interpretation

Knowledge of deafness and Deaf culture

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

WVDE Paraprofessional Certificate

Job description

Position Details

Itinerant Educational Sign Language Interpreter JobID: 25420

• Position Type: Service Personnel
• Date Posted: 5/27/2026
• Location: Capital High

POSITION

Educational Sign Language Interpreter

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

Principal

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

EMPLOYMENT TERM

Minimum 200 days annually

SALARY

Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8a, in accordance with Kanawha County Salary Scale, Pay Grade E, F, G, commensurate with experience and education level.

EVALUATION

Performance in this position will be evaluated annually by the building principal/immediate supervisor and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5314, and KCS's Guide to Performance Evaluation for Service Personnel.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for providing communication access through sign language in a wide range of instructional and extra-curricular activities within an educational program. Notetaking support for a student may be considered necessary when not interpreting but is not a primary responsibility of the interpreter. Works cooperatively with school personnel to provide coordinated interpreting services to students. An Educational Sign Language Interpreter is a qualified interpreter who is able to provide communication access to students, teachers, and staff in settings requiring sign language, both receptively and expressively in a pre‑K through 12 public school setting.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

An employee working for Kanawha County Schools is expected to comply with all the Kanawha County Schools Policies and Procedures, including maintaining regular attendance and completing all required training. Employees are required to follow all safety rules to maintain a safe workplace.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES – ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Work under the direction and supervision of the teacher to whom assigned
• Interpret for students utilizing the student's preferred mode of communication
• Provide interpreting during the school day in academic and non‑academic settings with staff, peers, and other students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Confer with educators to plan for interpreting
• Demonstrate and understand the educational process of interpreting by attending county‑provided interpreter training during staff development
• Assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing and perform other related duties which benefit the students
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with individuals unfamiliar with the educational setting
• Interpret auditory and signed information which includes environmental sounds, teacher instruction, student questions and peer communication as described in the Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters
• Attend student's IEP Team meeting to provide information about the student's communication abilities and needs
• Receives permission from building principal/supervisor to work in excess of 40 hours per week
• Works cooperatively with school personnel and students to provide coordinated interpreting services to students
• Receive close supervision and verbal instruction
• Act as liaison between educators
• Assist teachers and bus drivers in monitoring student's activities
• Perform basic clerical assistance
• Attends meetings/training as requested by supervisor
• Participate in other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal or building supervisor
• Will be trained in Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation
• All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must have a high school diploma or general education development (GED), pursuant to WV Code §18A-2-5
• Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c
• Meet the definition of "Qualifications" in WV Code §18A-4-8b and WV Board of Education Policy 5202; demonstrated competency, pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8e (state‑approved competency test) as required
• Certificate and meet the requirements for a WVDE Paraprofessional Certificate: Educational Sign Language Interpreter I or II. This includes the ability to qualify for the West Virginia Paraprofessional Certificate, a score of at least 3.0 on the Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) for Interpreter I certification or 3.5 and pass the EIPA Written Performance Assessment for Interpreter II certification. Applicant must be registered with the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
• Applicant must be able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary and must have knowledge of deafness and Deaf culture
• The interpreter must have knowledge of hearing loss and other conditions and their effect on early development of language
• An interpreter should have knowledge of speech, motor, adaptive skills, and social‑emotional development of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing

NOTE

An Educational Sign Language Interpreter I holds the Initial Paraprofessional Certificate – Educational Interpreter pursuant to state board policy. An Educational Sign Language Interpreter II holds the Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate – Educational Interpreter, pursuant to state board policy.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Interpreters shall accept the same responsibility and authority as other members of the educational staff. They will abide by and enforce federal, state, school district, and individual school laws and rules.
• Interpreters shall provide communication access in the wide range of instructional activities within the educational program.
• Interpreters shall interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially using any necessary specialized vocabulary.
• Interpreters shall have the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or scheduled form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, push, pull, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions. The employee may frequently lift and/or move at least 50 pounds of materials, children, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to read handwritten or typed material.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans‑with‑Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.