Paraeducator-Certified Interpreter II (Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

Palmdale School District; United States; Remote; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution seeks a dedicated interpreter to facilitate communication for hearing-impaired students. This role involves providing essential support in classrooms, interpreting educational materials, and assisting teachers in creating an inclusive learning environment. You will play a vital part in helping students achieve their academic goals while ensuring effective communication between teachers, students, and parents. If you are passionate about education and making a difference in students' lives, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Paid Holidays

Sick Leave

Vacation Time

Qualifications

• Two years of experience working with individuals using manual communication.
• Proficiency in manual communication for RID or EIPA certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpreter services for students and adults in integrated classes.
• Assist teachers with classroom activities and tutoring for pupils.
• Maintain confidentiality and support the implementation of IEPs.

Skills

Sign Language Interpretation

Tutoring

Communication Skills

Classroom Management

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Certification

Job description

THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT AND EXAMINATION PROCESS. IT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME, WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE.

Under the general supervision of a certificated administrator and direction of a teacher, to act as the communicator between pupil/teacher/parent when pupil/teacher uses manual communication; to assist teacher in determining where special education pupils in integrated classes need help; to provide assistance through tutoring, guidance or arranging for other resources; to assist the teacher in determining the needs of hearing impaired pupils; to interpret test responses; to recite and report into or from manual communications; to act as a paraprofessional assistant to a teacher in performing assigned tasks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from the class of Paraeducator-Translator by the responsibility for interpreting subject matter and education concepts to hearing impaired pupils, and in turn, interpreting to the teacher and the pupil's understanding of educational concepts and primary information for one pupil or for a small group of pupils in a regular or mixed classroom setting. This class is distinguished from the class of Paraeducator – Certified Interpreter (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) by the responsibility for providing interpretation services where Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) certification is required.

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provides interpreter services for adults and/or pupils in integrated classes.
2. Interprets to adults and students with written and verbal educational materials through sign language.
3. Interprets between adults, pupils and/or teachers to compensate for differences in communication abilities.
4. Interprets from sign to voice (reverse interpretation) manual language so it is comprehensible to others in the classroom and other settings (i.e. professional development, Professional Learning Communities, etc.).
5. Tutors pupils in academic and elective subjects.
6. Assists teacher in arranging and conducting special activities.
7. Assists teacher with classroom activities for pupils.
8. Attends in-service and staff meetings as required; provides interpretation services at meetings where needed.
9. Assists with lifting pupils in and out of wheelchairs.
10. Assists teacher in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe, and pleasant classroom and learning environment.
11. Assists teacher in implementing the course of study through individual and group instruction.
12. Assists with supervision of classroom and outdoor playground to direct pupils with safe activities and relationships.
13. Performs routine clerical tasks, operates duplicating machines, assembles materials for classroom projects, prepares material and master, and performs incidental typing tasks.
14. Confers on a regular basis with a teacher in regard to planning and scheduling activities, instructional goals and objectives, student progress and pertinent health or behavior problems.
15. May participate as a member of the appropriate team or committee to assist staff with developing and implementing individual or site crisis management plans.
16. Assists teachers with implementation of pupil's Individualized Education Program (IEP) through instruction in a wide variety of activities, such as nature study, playing games, singing, dancing and sports.
17. May administer first aid; under the direction of the school administrator and procedure observed by a certificated school staff member, assists pupils with taking medication.
18. Maintains confidentiality of pupil records in accordance with legal requirements and policies.
19. Acts as communicator between adults (including staff) and teacher when necessary and between pupil and peers as appropriate.
20. Consults with integrated class teachers to determine where pupils need special help and provide the help through tutoring.
21. Acts as liaison between administration, staff of the Hearing Impaired Program and the regular classroom teachers.
22. Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of paid experience working with people who can communicate or be communicated with only by manual communication.

Education:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Sufficient college coursework to become proficient enough in manual communications to possess the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification or Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) certification.

In order to meet the Academic Proficiency requirements, in addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet ONE of the following:

1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (48 units from an accredited college or university, official transcripts needed); OR
2. Obtained an associate's degree or higher (official transcripts needed); OR
3. Meet a rigorous standard of qualify and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and mathematics. If you are attempting to satisfy the academic proficiency requirement, official college transcripts must be attached to the application to validate the degree awarded or completion of 48+ college units. If official transcripts are not attached to the application, you will be required to take and pass the academic proficiency assessment in addition to the job-specific examination for this position.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION

1. Must possess Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification or Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) certification to provide manual communication interpreter services, or equivalent.
2. Must qualify with a score of 4.0 or higher.
3. Certificate must be attached to application.

Application Filing:

Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. An eligibility list will be established to hire and fill future vacancies. All communication regarding this recruitment will be sent via email only.

Examination

The examination components consist of a qualifying written multiple-choice, performance, and oral exam. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be required to take the exam and are notified via email communication of the scheduled date, time, and location. A valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.

After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.

Work Schedule:

This position works seven (7) hours per day and observes the student calendar.

Salary and Benefits

The salary rate for a new employee is at the first step of the appropriate five-step salary schedule for this position. The probationary period is 130 work days (not counting sick, industrial accident). Upon becoming permanent, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with future annual advances up to the fifth step of the salary schedule. The District provides and contributes to a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, term life insurance) per contract year for each employee and eligible dependents. View the benefits matrix.

Holidays and Leaves

Seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA). Sick leave shall be granted in the proportion of daily hours worked. Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.

Work Environment and Physical Abilities

The job is performed primarily in a classroom environment, and occasionally in an outdoor environment when student support is required. Exposure to varying temperatures indoors or outdoors in inclement weather.

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: dexterity and coordinated movements of arm, hand, and fingers for sign language interpreting, with distinctive facial expressions to accompany sign language; some sitting and standing for extended periods; visual and hearing acuity; some walking, stooping, squatting, bending, twisting at waist; some lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs.

_______________________________

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.

For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link: https://www.palmdalesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4326699&type=d&pREC_ID=2532815

For further information regarding Palmdale School District’s Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link:
https://4.files.edl.io/c982/03/14/24/221235-151840c2-594e-486f-ad29-e288bcb5b8a8.pdf