About this role
Job Title: Educational Sign Language Interpreter Qualifications: Completed requirements for Educational Interpreters as outlined by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Reports to: Principal Job Goal: Facilitate communication and access to general education curriculum for students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or Deaf/Blind, matching the communication modality and language level of the student. Collaborate with school staff to provide quality interpretation for students. Support assigned student's academic, social, and cognitive growth.
Performance Responsibilities:
• Provide interpretation and/or transliteration services for students who are Deaf, Deaf/Blind, hard of hearing, and the hearing professionals and students who communicate with them.
• Abide by NAD-RID/EIPA Interpreter's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• Comply with all policies and procedures of assigned school.
• Facilitate communication through use of sign languages, spoken English, cultural mediation, and knowledge about accessibility.
• Interpret within social and academic settings as appropriate/needed:
• Direct and overheard conversations in the vicinity of the student
• Class instruction, lectures, tutoring, and tests
• Assemblies, field trips, graduations, sports, band/choir concerts, and any other school activities the student participates in.
• Keep all essential classroom information, needs of the student, IEP/504 information, and any adaptations confidential. Bring any questions or concerns to the attention of the IEP Teacher of Record or 504 Counselor.
• Encourage staff members to collaborate with the student who is Deaf, Deaf/Blind, or hard of hearing, teachers, and their IEP or 504 team.
• Render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using the language most readily understood by the person(s) being serve
• Refrain from providing counsel, advice, or interjecting personal opinions into interpreted situations that are beyond the scope of practice.
• Respect student autonomy and maintain a professional, respectful attitude towards students
• Demonstrate professional appearance, conduct, flexibility, and promptness. Interpreters should dress in solid colors that provide contrast to their skin tone.
• Strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
• Prepare for course material as necessary for successful interpreting or transliterating and growth of the student who is Deaf, Deaf/Blind, or hard of hearing.
• Educate consumers about using interpreting services and providing visual access to deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Assist in education for staff about note-takers and closed-captioned materials, adaptive tools.
• Provide tutoring, assistance, extra explanation, and/or rephrasing for lessons as necessary for clarification of concepts.
• Required certification must be maintained and kept current by the interpreter at all times.
Terms of Employment: Nine months basis. Salary to be established by the Board. Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's Policy of Evaluation of Support Personnel. Physical Demands: Normal demands as required by performance responsibilities.