Substitute Sign Support Specialist/Educational Sign Language Interpreter I and II

Sign Support Specialist, Educational Sign Language Interpreter I & II

Immediate Supervisor: Principal

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Employment Term: No guaranteed days or hours. Work as needed.

Salary: Pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8a, in accordance with Kanawha County Salary Scale, Pay Grade E, F, G, commensurate with experience and education level.

Evaluation: Performance in this position will be evaluated annually by the building principal/immediate supervisor and in accordance with WV State Code §18A-2-12, WV State Board Policy 5314, and KCS's Guide to Performance Evaluation for Service Personnel.

Job Summary: "Sign Support Specialist" means a person who provides sign supported speech assistance to students who are able to access environments through audition. "Educational Sign Language Interpreter I & II" mean a person employed to provide communication access across all educational environments to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Responsible for providing sign language interpreting for assigned student, to include conferring with students and educators to analyze student's communication needs. Works cooperatively with school personnel and students to provide coordinated interpreting services to students.

Performance Responsibilities: Additional duties may be assigned. Maintains regular attendance. Maintains a neat and orderly work area. Complies with KCS Policies. Receives permission from building principal/supervisor to work in excess of 40 hours per week. Works cooperatively with school personnel and students to provide coordinated interpreting services to students. Work under the direction and supervision of the teacher/professional to whom assigned. Interpret for students utilizing the students preferred mode of communications. Provide interpreting during the school day in academic and non-academic settings with staff, peers, and other hearing impaired and deaf students. Confer with educators to plan for interpreting services. Demonstrate self-improvement in signing ability, interpreting skills, communications with school personnel, and understanding the educational process by attending staff meetings. To assist students and perform other related duties as indicated by teachers and administrators. Receives close supervision and verbal instruction. To provide an appropriate role model for students. To maintain positive work habits, to perform duties efficiently and productively and to maintain and upgrade skills. To fulfill duties as described in IEP. To provide interpreting in other capacities to include communication with deaf parents, committee meetings, PTA, conferences, and other situations as needed. To act as liaison between educators. To assist teachers and bus drivers in monitoring student's activities To perform basic clerical assistance. Attends meeting/training as requested by supervisor. To participate in other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal or building supervisor. Will be trained in Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation and New Violet Crises Prevention Intervention. Attends in-services and workshops as directed. Follows all safety rules and regulations and uses prescribed personal protective equipment. Maintains confidentiality. Continuously improves processes.

Qualifications: High School diploma or equivalent, pursuant to WV Code §18A-2-5; Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c; Meet the definition of "Qualifications" in WV Code §18A-4-8b and WV Board of Education Policy 5202; demonstrated competency, pursuant to WV Code §18A-4-8e (state-approved competency test) as required. A Sign Support Specialist must be able to translate the spoken word at a normal conversational rate using signed English, 'pigeon' English, and other sign systems; be able to reverse interpret (voice interpret) from sign language to the spoken word; have some knowledge of deafness ad hearing impairments and their effect on language development; and have successfully completed an in-service training program determined by the state board to be the equivalent of three hours of college credit (e.g. Introduction to Exceptional Children). It is also recommended to complete fifteen hours of state board approved college credit in an interpreter training program with at least 2.0 grade averages. An Educational Sign Language Interpreter I holds the Initial Paraprofessional Certificate – Educational Interpreter pursuant to state board policy. An Educational Sign Language Interpreter II holds the Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate – Educational Interpretor, pursuant to state board policy. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, staff and the general public. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide consistent with the duties of this position. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions practical situations consistent with the duties of the position. Written and oral skills consistent with the duties of this position. Ability to interface effectively with other departments, school personnel, other staff and business contacts from outside KCS. Ability to work with children and with groups of students to support academics and behavior management. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parent and staff members. Ability to work under minimal or no supervision. Ability to understand and follow both written and oral directions. Complete necessary training and in-service as required by KCS. Ability to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists consistent with the duties of this position. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or scheduled form.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, push, pull, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move at least 50 of materials, children, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud (60-90 dB).