Signed Language Interpreter

Young World Physical Education; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Rio Rancho Public Schools District Office is seeking a Signed Language Interpreter for the 2026-2027 school year in the Special Services department. This 190-day position supports deaf and hard-of-hearing students across classrooms and IEP teams, providing fluent ASL interpretation and collaboration with teachers.

The successful candidate will hold a current New Mexico license, RID certification, and complete interpreter training; experience in educational settings is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must hold a current New Mexico Department of Education license.
• Completion of an accredited interpreter training program, or equivalent.
• Three years’ experience as a sign language interpreter; work in post-secondary settings preferred.
• Certification by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is required.

Responsibilities

• Travel to RRPS district sites to provide direct services and/or consultation to deaf or hearing-impaired students, parents, teachers and IEP teams.
• Contribute to IEP development with goals, modifications, and learning styles.
• Coordinate with site-based goals and district objectives by recommending evaluations as needed (e.g., orientation and mobility, assistive tech, adaptive PE).
• Consult with diagnosticians, teachers, students and parents regarding evaluations, modifications, and test administration.
• Interpret all classroom communications between hearing and deaf/hard-of-hearing students and staff.
• Assist teachers by adapting materials for students with hearing impairment in diverse classroom settings.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Interpreting in classroom settings

RID Certification

Educational interpreting

Education

Current NM Department of Education license

Interpreter training program completed or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited college

Job description

Signed Language Interpreter

Rio Rancho Public Schools District Office - Special Services - Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Job Details

Job ID: 5839272

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Jul 17, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

This job posting is for the 2026-2027 school year

RRPS- Special Services Department

190-day contract

Minimum Qualifications

• Current New Mexico Department of Education license.
• Completion of an accredited interpreter training program, or equivalent.
• Three years’ experience as a sign language interpreter. Work experience in a post-secondary educational setting preferred.
• Certification by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Accurately interpret spoken language to sign language and interpret sign to spoken language for lecture classes, physical education classes, labs, meetings and various assignments as scheduled; follow and give oral and written directions; demonstrate sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse population; maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Must be skilled in American Sign Language and appropriate forms of manually coded English; may be required to sign for extended periods of time. Must be prepared to sign under various environmental conditions.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Travels in assigned areas of the RRPS District to provide direct services and/or consultation services to school age children who are deaf or hearing impaired, their parents, teachers, and IEP teams.
• Contributes to the development of the IEP with goals, modifications, and learning styles.
• Coordinates with site-based goals and district-wide objectives by recommending appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as on-campus orientation and mobility, assistive technology, and adaptive PE as needed.
• Consults and serves as a liaison with diagnosticians, classrooms teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modifications, and test administration.
• Interpreting all intended messages in the classroom, during social interactions, meetings, or after-school events as decided by the educational team.
• Assists classroom teachers in adapting materials for students with hearing impairment in a wide variety of classroom settings, student ages, and experiences.
• Other responsibilities in addition to interpreting may include: negotiate or mediate language transactions by adding information to clarifying meaning, explain vocabulary, interpret for tests or exams if necessary as determined by the educational team.
• Ensure the safety of all children, including hearing children, and alert staff if potential danger is perceived.
• Conducts in-service and/or trainings for classroom staff, district staff, community organizations or other individuals or groups as assigned by supervisor.
• Provides appropriate instructional classroom activities for students as well as assists in obtaining modified standardized testing materials.
• Under direction, interprets/transliterates spoken language using American Sign Language or other manual sign system, and vice versa, to facilitate communication between hearing and deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
• Interprets audio medical reports as they relate to educational environments.
• Helps arrange physical environment of the classroom for optimum learning and safety of students.
• Accurately interprets lectures, discussions, announcements, conversations, meetings, events, and other spoken word situations into fluent English using manual sign system appropriate for the language and the cultural background of deaf/hard of hearing students and staff.
• Works with faculty and college departments to gain understanding of relevant concepts to better facilitate translation for deaf/hard of hearing students.
• Provides information and orientation to deaf/hard of hearing students in emergency situations.
• Works effectively in teams with other sign language interpreters.
• Maintains certification by completing continuing education units required by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
• Adheres to the RID Code of Professional Conduct.
• May utilize technologies to transcribe speech to text in classroom and other settings.
• Uses and applies appropriate conflict resolution skills with students, including reporting incidences to the appropriate school administrator/staff.
• Contributes to the development of appropriate goals and objectives for student academic achievement.
• Maintains records of student performance as it relates to students’ ASL proficiency.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service training activities and schools.
• Complies with state-approved New Mexico Administrative Code of Ethical Responsibility of the Education Profession and the RRPS Employee Standards of Conduct and upholds and enforces rules, administrative directives and regulations, school board policies, and local, state and federal regulations.
• Performs related duties consistent with job description and assignment as assigned.

Work Hours: Work hours are established in employment contract. Additional work hours may be assigned by the Director of Special Services for RRPS.

Application Procedure

The following documents must be attached to complete this application:

• One (1) transcript from each crediting college or university
• Copy of Professional License

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Type: Full-Time

Contact Information

• Antoinette Nieto, Director of Special Services
• District Office - Special Services
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]