Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Educational Sign Language InterpreterSalary: $27.92/hr – Negotiations in ProgressReports To: Building Administrator Range: 13Location: Seward Area Schools Hrs/Day: 3.5 hrs/day Seward, Alaska # Days: 184Job Purpose: Under the direction of the Student Support Services Director or designee facilitate communication for Deaf and hard of hearing students between spoken English and American Sign Language at a fluent rate. Will work in a variety of academic and athletic settings. The position calls upon the interpreter to exercise initiative, independent judgement, and discretion in the performance of duties. The interpreter may increase awareness of and encourage connections to the Deaf community. Only the essential functions and primary responsibilities are listed below; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the student services department.Duties, Responsibilities, and Accountabilities: 1. Interpret all information presented in a classroom or building situation (ie. lectures, announcements, discussions, assemblies) between the student, adults, and peers. Advocate for communication access and model self-advocacy skills. 2. Provide communication access to the student's school day, which may include testing time, clubs, or independent work. Interpret for school sponsored functions outside of the classroom during contracted hours. 3. Review coursework materials in advance so that classroom activities can be conveyed clearly and accurately. Research and choose signs to convey clear meaning. Assist with classroom modifications when appropriate, as determined by the IEP, educational team, or in consultation with other direct service personnel. Provides tutoring as necessary. 4. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees. Educate students and staff in the strategies, processes, and protocol for using an Interpreter. Participate in professional growth activities. 5. Participate as a member of the educational team providing insight and recommendations regarding communication in the development and review of progress on the IEP, including evaluations of student use of an interpreter. 6. Requires willingness to perform various job-related duties as situations require, flexibility, and ability to work cooperatively with others. Be willing to perform the job duties outlined in this job description at other schools in the geographical region as necessary and directed by the Student Support Services Director or designee. Must have a valid driver's license, as travel between schools may be required.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Requires a minimum of an associate degree American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf Studies, Education, or a related field from an accredited education institute. 2. Educational Interpreters in Alaska must present a score of 4.0 or better on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment and a passing score on the Educational Interpreter Knowledge Assessment. A score of 3.0 may be considered, but the applicant must agree to take the EIPA and achieve a score of 4.0 within two years of employment. 3. Under Alaska Regulation 4 AAC 52.255 an interpreter provided as part of a program of special education and related services for a child with a disability who is deaf must be certified by the national registry of interpreters for the deaf, or must be enrolled and progressing in a program that meets the standards developed by the board of education and early development's advisory board for the deaf and hard of hearing.Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before parents, staff, and students.Mathematical Skill: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.Other Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to operate computers and related software. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and operate equipment. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and or move + 50 pounds. Requires ability to physically assist, position, and support students with limited mobility during activities of daily living, including for personal care needs. Ability to de-escalate students with behavioral crises, implement Positive Behavioral Intervention Plans, and work closely with supervising teachers. Ability to respond in a manner that protects student and staff safety during physical outbursts by students. Specific vision abilities this job requires include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but they should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification but to accurately reflect the primary job elements. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer