Sign Language Interpreter- Hrly/Int POOL (DSA)

California State University, Long Beach; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 62,267 - 103,278; Part time

Job summary

A public university in California seeks a Sign Language Interpreter to facilitate communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and faculty. The position is temporary, hourly, and involves adapting to a range of interpreting needs. Candidates should possess strong linguistic and cultural competency skills, and have completed an Interpreter Training Program or equivalent with at least 2 years of experience. The salary ranges from $45.20 to $74.97 per hour, depending on qualifications. Excellent listening skills and professionalism are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Ability to adapt to a wide range of interpreting needs.
• General knowledge of Deaf Culture and sign modalities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
• Facilitate integration into classroom and university settings.

Skills

Strong linguistic skills

Cognitive skills

Technical skills

Attention to detail

Excellent listening skills

Receptive and expressive communication

Judgment and integrity

Cultural competency

Education

Completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) or equivalent

Minimum 2 years of experience in the field

4-year degree in Deaf Studies or related field

Tools

Professional certification (NIC preferred)

Job description

Sign language interpreters facilitate the communication and integration of deaf and hard‑of‑hearing, or otherwise disabled students and consumers (including faculty, staff and university guests) into the classroom, other instructional settings, and into the university community either by way of American Sign Language (ASL), or Signed English, Transliteration (a manual, oral or tactile system of communication). Furthermore, the incumbent provides services that are equitable, inclusive and culturally sensitive, enhancing the quality of campus life. This position adopts a student‑centered and equity‑minded approach in all communication and service efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Sign language interpreters provide communication access by conveying verbal information into a mode of communication best understood by the deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, and/or otherwise disabled students, faculty, staff, and university guests.

Department: Bob Murphy Access Center

Time Base / Duration of Appointment

Hourly/intermittent on‑call temporary position. Successful candidates may be appointed for a few days up to one (1) year depending on the assignment. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Classification

Hourly Interpreter / Real Time Captioner / Computer‑Aided Transcriber

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. The salary range for this classification is $45.20 to $74.97 per hour.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to adapt to a wide range of interpreting needs and possesses strong linguistic, cognitive, and technical skills. They have a general knowledge of Deaf Culture and can work across the full spectrum of sign modalities, from ASL to Signed English. The candidate is flexible and able to transition between in‑person and remote interpreting as class modalities change, and is willing to provide interpreting support not only for registered BMAC students but also, when appropriate, for faculty, staff, and university guests.

Additionally, the ideal candidate has strong attention to detail, excellent listening skills, and a solid command of English grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation. They demonstrate strong receptive and expressive communication skills, accurately conveying message content, register, tone, and intent across languages. The candidate exercises sound judgment when accepting assignments based on skill level, topic familiarity, and consumer diversity, adheres to professional ethical standards and confidentiality requirements, and builds effective, respectful relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus officials, and guests across classroom and campus event settings.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non‑discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university’s commitment to a “vision of excellence.”

Education and Experience

• Sign language interpreters are required to complete an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) or have an equivalent level of experience.
• Minimum 2 years of volunteer and/or paid experience, or completion of a 4‑year degree in Deaf Studies or related field.

Licenses / Certificates

• Interpreters are required by their profession to work toward and seek various levels of professional certification that are recognized on a state and national level as being appropriate in a post‑secondary setting, including but not limited to NIC Certification granted by RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC) preferred, not required.

Physical Summary

Light work – Job involves some lifting of medium weight objects (10‑20 pounds) and/or 10%–20% of the job involves standing or walking.

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H‑1B Visas). A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti‑discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR‑[e-mail].