Sign Language Interpreter

Downey Unified School District; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Downey Unified School District seeks an American Sign Language interpreter to facilitate communication for deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream classrooms. The role involves interpreting verbal and written educational materials, translating sign language to spoken language, and supporting teachers with IEP implementations.

The position is part-time, 35 hours per week, 11 months per year. Candidates must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and appropriate interpreter

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; certification by NRID, EIPA/ Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, Educational Sign Skills Evaluation-Interpreter and Receptive, NAD, ACIC or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provides interpreter services for students in mainstream classes.
• Interprets a wide variety of subject matter and instructional materials into total communication.
• Interprets from sign to voice and voice to sign for classroom comprehension.
• Acts as liaison between administration, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program staff and teachers.
• Assists with implementing student IEPs and attends required meetings.
• May assist with supervising classroom and outdoor activities and with medication administration.

Skills

Sign language

Total communication

Interpreting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Interpreter certification (NRID/EDP/Eeducational Interpreter Eval)

Job description

Only online applications and certifications by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, the Educational Sign Skills Evaluation-Interpreter and Receptive, the National Association of the Deaf, American Consortium of Certified Interpreters, or equivalent will be accepted: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/downey

This is a Open recruitment to establish an eligibility list, fill vacancies, and hire substitutes. Substitutes work on an as-needed basis to fill in for absent employees. The eligibility list will be used to fill permanent vacancies which may occur during the life of the eligibility list.

Positions in this classification are part-time, 35 hours per week, 11 months/184 workdays per year.

The recruitment process will consist of an oral technical interview that is tentatively scheduled during the weeks of November 23, 2026 - December 11, 2026. Qualified applicants will be notified by email.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, TITLE IX, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The Downey Unified School District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information (including family and medical history), marital status, political affiliation, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as protected by state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, Downey Unified School District will provide you with one upon notice.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the general supervision of an administrator, acts as the communicator between student and teacher when the student uses total communication (e.g., sign language), and interprets test responses, recitations and reports into or from total communication.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from the Senior Instructional Assistant – Sign Language class by the additional responsibility of using total communication skills (e.g., sign language) to translate and interpret written and spoken educational information or instructions. The Sign Language Interpreter interprets subject matter and educational concepts for deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream classrooms. The Senior Instructional Assistant – Sign Language functions as a paraprofessional assistant for teachers and deaf and hard of hearing students in special education classrooms. Provides interpreter services for students in mainstream classes. E

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides interpreter services for students in mainstream classes. E
• Interprets a wide variety of subject matter and instructional materials into total communication (e.g., sign language) for a teacher or student who does not sign. E
• Interprets from sign to voice and voice to sign for comprehension by others in the classroom. E
• Acts as liaison between administration, staff of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and regular classroom teachers. E
• Assists teachers with implementation of student's Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.). E
• Attends in-service and staff meetings as required. E
• May assist in arranging and conducting special activities. E
• May assist with supervision of classroom and outdoor playground to direct students in safe activities and relationships. E
• May assist students with taking medication under prescribed policies and procedures. E
• Performs routine clerical tasks related to student records and instructional activities. E
• Performs related duties as assigned. E

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Basic characteristics of human behavior and basic communication skills
• Practical learning patterns and behavior
• Reading, speaking and writing in English
• Elementary concepts of child development and behavior
• Basic math
• High school academic courses
• Laws, rules, practices and procedures related to the education program to which assigned
• Recognition and reporting requirements for suspected child abuse

ABILITY TO

• Understand and interpret K-12 subject matter
• Model communication and interaction that respects and includes all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions and cultures
• Maintain emotional control under difficult situations
• Interpret written and verbal educational materials through total communication (e.g., sign language)
• Interpret sign to voice and voice to sign
• Recognize and report safety hazards
• Motivate students to participate in learning activities
• Maintain confidentiality of student information
• Operate computer technology
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff

EDUCATION

High school diploma or equivalent, and certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, the Educational Sign Skills Evaluation-Interpreter and Receptive, the National Association of the Deaf, American Consortium of Certified Interpreters, or equivalent, with a score 4.0 or above.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION

Some positions in this classification may require the availability of private transportation; may occasionally be assigned duties from the class specification for Paraeducator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The work requires some physical exertion.
• Stands to monitor and assist students with academic instruction
• Moves between areas of a school site or within a classroom to monitor students and assist with academic instruction
• Sits to assist students with classwork
• Rotates head left and right from a neutral position to monitor, supervise, and/or attend to students
• Moves head forward and backward from a neutral position to assist students with academic instruction
• Uses hands, wrists, and fingers repetitively to communicate using sign language to students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Exchanges information with students and staff to facilitate classroom instruction and ensure safety
• Uses near visual acuity at 20 inches or less to facilitate classroom instruction, safety, and other related areas
• Uses far visual acuity at 20 feet or more to facilitate classroom instruction, safety, and other related areas
• Observes surroundings within one's periphery to facilitate classroom instruction, safety, and other related areas

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions.
• Work in an indoor, climate-controlled environment