Special Education Signing Aide

USD #116; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 30,307,000; Part time

Job summary

Urbana School District #116 is seeking a Special Education Signing Aide to support students across district locations. The role requires signing proficiency, collaboration with educators, and adherence to IEP accommodations.

The position is non-exempt and part of the educational team. The Signing Aide works under the supervision of the DHH teacher and the building principal, assisting with interpretation in classrooms and school activities, and promoting inclusive communication for students who

Qualifications

• Paraprofessional certificate or 60 college credits required.
• 2 years of school-based experience; American Sign Language coursework preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interprets with a signing system appropriate for the student in all educational settings including classrooms, field trips, assemblies, meetings, and disciplinary situations.
• Preserves the integrity of the original message in content, intent, affect, and linguistic style across modalities.
• Maintains confidentiality and professional behavior; uses verbatim sign-to-voice when appropriate.
• Encourages student independence and use of communication skills.
• Monitors student understanding per the IEP and communicates with the case manager and teachers.
• Provides tutoring and implements accommodations listed on the IEP.
• Promotes sign language use and fosters participation of deaf or hard of hearing students.
• Assists in carrying out lessons and adapts programming as directed by the special education teacher.
• Records data monitoring academic and behavior programming.

Skills

Highly organized

Excellent communication

Collaboration skills

Excellent problem-solver

Work under pressure

Education

Paraprofessional Certificate or 60 college credits

2 years school-based experience; ASL coursework preferred

Job description

Special Education Signing Aide

Urbana School District #116 USD #116 - Urbana, Illinois Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Urbana School District #116

Job Details

Job ID: 4424036

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Re-Posted: Aug 26, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Special Education Signing Aide

LOCATION: District-wide (Upon assignment)

SUPERVISOR/S: Executive Director of Student Services, Teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing

JOB SUMMARY: The role and function of the signing aide is unique to the educational setting. This specialized role calls for the integration of a number of different responsibilities. As a member of an educational team, the signing aide needs to be able to work cooperatively with numerous other professionals and contribute specialized knowledge. The signing aide must possess sufficient signing skills for communication and the signed vocabulary for specific courses, and the basic content knowledge for the courses interpreted. The signing aide works under the direct supervision of the DHH teacher and under the broad supervision of the building principal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Interprets with a signing system appropriate for the student in all educational settings including classrooms, field trips, assemblies, meetings, and disciplinary situations.
• Interprets messages across modalities, preserving the integrity of the original message in content, intent, affect, and linguistic sophistication.
• Applies a code of ethics, including maintaining confidentiality, judging when to use verbatim sign-to-voice, and maintaining professional behaviors and responsibilities.
• Encourages and plans for student independence, including the use of communication skills.
• Monitors student understanding in class using the communication method designated by the IEP.
• Communicates and shares information and data regularly with the case manager and classroom teachers.
• Provides resource assistance such as tutoring and implements accommodations listed on the IEP.
• Promotes an expanded communication environment for the deaf or hard of hearing student and fosters student participation in activities.
• Shares information about sign language and deafness for the layperson.
• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students on an individual or small group basis.
• Make needed adaptations and accommodations for students’ academic programming in general education classes as developed by the special education teacher.
• Follow each student’s individual behavioral plan as well as the classroom behavior management plan.
• Promote and model appropriate social interactions with and between students.
• Provide programs for students off school property if requested. (May include, but not limited to, field trips, vocational, and aquatic center activities.)
• Record and compile data monitoring academic and behavior programming.
• Participate in staff/team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE, A Paraprofessional Certificate or 60 hours of college credit are required.

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of school-based experience including coursework to learnAmerican Sign Language preferred

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Highly organized
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent problem-solver
• Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems
• Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Student Contact Days

EVALUATION: To be completed by the principal with input from the DHH teacher.

START DATE: TBD

NOTE: This position is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position. This is a non-exempt position.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CREATED: September 2023

Position Type: 6.5 Hours Per Day

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Special Education > Hard of