Senior Sign Language Interpreter (Flexible-Hour/Year-Round)

State Center Community College District; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State Center Community College District seeks an ASL interpreter to provide interpreting and transliteration services for D/HH students, faculty, and staff in classrooms and events across the Fresno campus. The role requires expertise in sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign interpretations with a strong commitment to equity and confidentiality.

The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, RID certification, and at least three years of paid educational interpreting experience,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, communicative disorders/deaf studies, social services or related field.
• National Interpreter Certification from RID or equivalent.
• At least three years of paid interpreting experience in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide ASL interpreting and transliteration in classrooms, laboratories and college events.
• Consult with faculty to address communication needs and explain student rights and responsibilities.
• Adhere to NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct and advocate for D/HH students and faculty.
• Participate in team interpreting as required and maintain professional duties across settings.

Skills

ASL interpretation

Cultural competency

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Technical proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education, communicative disorders/deaf studies, social services or related field

National Interpreter Certification (NIDC/RID)

3+ years interpreting in educational settings

Tools

VRS equipment

Computer skills

Job description

General Purpose

Under general supervision, performs American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and transliteration services for Deaf and Hard‑of‑Hearing (D/HH) students, faculty and staff in classrooms and a variety of other settings; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs ASL interpreting services for D/HH students, faculty and staff in classrooms, laboratories and a variety of settings for orientations, meetings, counseling appointments, assessment testing, field trips, professional development, human resource matters and other college/District events; on a regular basis, responds to revisions in assigned schedules that require interpreting for different courses/disciplines, in different settings and for individuals with differing communication needs and preferences; transliterates course materials and other documents when required.
• Consults with faculty to identify potential problems that could inhibit the effective provision of interpreting services; advises faculty on uses of technology and how to negotiate communications with D/HH students to convey course content; explains student rights and responsibilities in accordance with District rules and regulations.
• Follows appropriate ethical codes and processes for addressing situations observed or experienced in the course of interpreting assignments; advocates for D/HH students and faculty in difficult or stressful situations.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity‑minded practices within the District.

Other Duties

• Participates in team interpreting as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge Of

• American Sign Language interpretation and application techniques, including special sign vocabularies required for varied college disciplines.
• Current developments, trends and techniques in the field of interpreting utilized both for the deaf and hard‑of‑hearing.
• Federal, state and local laws, codes, rules, regulations and court decisions applicable to providing services to the deaf and hard‑of‑hearing, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and associated regulations.
• Proper ethical conduct as outlined in the National Association of the Deaf – Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NAD‑RID) Code of Professional Conduct with emphasis on the appropriate role of an interpreter in an educational setting.
• Values, behaviors and language of the American Deaf Culture.
• Use and operation of various assistive devices for the deaf and hard‑of‑hearing.

Skills And Abilities To

• Interpret proficiently in both voice‑to‑sign and sign‑to‑voice modes while accurately conveying the thought, intent and spirit of speakers.
• Rapidly process visual and audible information to convey complex concepts, unusual vocabulary and unexpected information to ensure student understanding.
• Analyze situations accurately, evaluating alternatives and adopting effective courses of action.
• Interpret, apply and explain District policies and procedures and reach sound decisions in areas applicable to the work.
• Maintain confidentiality of District and student files and records.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential student issues and situations.
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service‑oriented practices.
• Communicate effectively, orally, via ASL and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Operate a computer and standard business software.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Education And Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in education, communicative disorders/deaf studies, social services or a closely related field, completion of requirements for a National Interpreter Certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and at least three years of paid interpreting experience in an educational setting; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

*(One year experience equates to twenty‑five (25) hours per week in an educational setting based on a 10‑month year or twenty‑five (25) hours per week in a non‑educational setting based on a 12‑month year of the required experience)*

Licenses, Certificates And Other Requirements

• Certain assignments may require a valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.
• An active National Interpreter Certification or Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) level 3.

Physical and Mental Demands

Essential and marginal functions may require physical fitness requirements necessary to perform the job functions with or without accommodation, such as the ability to walk rapidly to varied locations throughout the day; stand or sit for prolonged periods, use both hands with dexterity while interpreting, and lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to hear at a 20db range or better, with or without hearing aids.

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written, oral and ASL communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff, other organizations and the public.

Working Environment

Employees generally work under typical classroom conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.