Sign Language Interpreter

Sign Language Interpreter

Thank you for your interest in a career with us! The Northshore School District is committed to a diverse workforce that reflects our students and our community, one that embraces and models equity and cultural competency.

This posting will be used to generate an applicant pool. This pool does not necessarily indicate there is a current vacancy. However, should a vacancy occur, this pool allows hiring administrators immediate access to potential candidates. Qualified applicants will be selected for interview by hiring administrators as needed throughout the school year.

The interpreter (sign language) facilitates communication between employees who are Deaf and/or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Supports the employee's communication needs within the school community; provides voice to sign and sign to voice support; participates as a team member to plan, review and share information. The primary mode of communication is American Sign Language (ASL). (This assignment is for school year only)

Duties and Responsibilities

This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in consultation with the employee(s) involved. Duties may vary from position-to-position or school-to-school based on the employee(s) specific assignment and program configuration.

1. Facilitates communication between Deaf and hard of hearing employees and hearing staff, students, and school community members in academic and non-academic activities, individually or in groups (e.g. regular classroom, common areas, assemblies, IEP meetings, staff meetings, special events, etc.).
2. Interpret classroom instruction and communication, including large group and individual instruction.
3. Facilitate communication between a Deaf or hard of hearing teacher and their hearing colleagues, staff, administrators and students using ASL. Such facilitation may occur both during the school day and also occasionally during before school and after school events, such as IEP meetings and staff meetings.
4. Supports the Deaf or hard of hearing employee in communicating with hearing students for the purpose of reinforcing classroom objectives and curriculum content under the supervision of assigned classroom teacher.
5. Facilitates communication with students for the purposes of: reinforcing classroom objectives and curriculum content, support and tutoring under the supervision of assigned classroom teacher.
6. Interpret for special events such as assemblies, field trips and school meetings.
7. Follow the Code of Professional Conduct for interpreters as established by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
8. Interprets inquiries (e.g. parents, students, staff, etc.) for the purpose of providing information or referring to appropriate personnel.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Reports to the building principal with input from classroom teachers.

Working Conditions

• Works full time with a Deaf teacher in classroom, school and district wide.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, lift, carry, move about, hear and speak. Employee may be required to perform work at a computer display terminal.
• The employee must lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds, and may assist or move students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.
• Additional physical requirements specific to this classification includes the following: hearing acuity sufficient to understand information to be interpreted in a variety of educational environments; facial dexterity to produce readable mouth movements for specific sign language expressions; manual dexterity to produce readable sign language though movement of fingers and arms; visual acuity to see information to be voiced (such as sign language and facial expressions).

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• Requires signing fluency by RID certification and/or graduation from a recognized Interpreter Training Program.
• A BA/BS and familiarity with or experience working with a K-12 educational system is desired, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to interpret and voice well for Deaf District employee and people who they work with. Ability to interact with ASL students and students with special needs in a warm and understanding manner; ability to consistently follow the directions of certificated staff and any written learning/behavior plans; ability to work cooperatively with other District staff, students, and parents; ability to supervise students with special needs using appropriate behavior management techniques; ability to demonstrate reading, writing, and math skills and provide academic instruction; ability to maintain the confidentiality of student information; ability to provide basic clerical support; and willingness to attend additional training as directed.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with 3.5 or better

Willingness to attend additional training as directed.

Salary

Salary is based upon the current ESP Salary Schedule Salary (Level II); placement on the salary schedule will be determined by Human Resources DOE. FLSA Non-Exempt.

Work Year

Days of the week and hours may vary

Benefits

Washington state health insurance coverage (SEBB) and a Washington state retirement package, for eligible positions. Generally, you are eligible for SEBB benefits if you are anticipated to work at least 630 hours per school year (September 1 through August 31). The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) benefits include:

• Medical plans with prescription benefits
• Dental plans
• Vision plans
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Dependent Care Assistance Program

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application.
• Attach a cover letter and resume.
• Enter 3 professional references, including their name, working relationship to you, phone number, and email address. Confidential Reference Forms are automatically emailed via the application system.
• Optional – letters of recommendation, transcripts, ETS scores, certificates, etc.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks with prior employers and/or character references; satisfactory outcome of a criminal history background check (includes fingerprinting); satisfactory outcome of sexual misconduct information from prior school district employers; and approval by the Northshore School Board.