Job Description

CLOVIS UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT

Position: Sign Language Interpreter - Certified
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Site Administrator
Pay Grade: Classified Salary Schedule – Non-Operations/16

SUMMARY
Facilitates communication between deaf or hard of hearing students and teachers, staff members, and peers within an educational environment, using any of a variety of manual and verbal communication systems in a highly proficient manner reflecting the affect of the speaker and/or signer.

DISTINGUISHING CAREER FEATURES
The Certified Sign Language Interpreter is the second and senior-level in a career path. A Certified Sign Language Interpreter provides communication through the use of sign-to-English and English-to-sign skills. Advancement to the Certified position requires coursework and certification, and competency using manual sign systems such as American Sign Language, Conceptually Accurate Signed English, Signed Exact English, Manually Coded English, and Pidgin Signed English in a highly proficient manner for simultaneous translation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Interprets for deaf or hard of hearing students in a variety of educational settings, including, but not limited to, classroom lectures and activities, group discussions, assemblies, and counseling sessions, using various sign language systems and voice interpretation at a normal conversational rate.

Interprets a wide range of curriculum, including scientific and advanced placement topics. Confers with students, teachers and staff to develop new signs for technical subject matter.

Interprets at off-district activities such as field trips, job interviews, and co-curricular activities.

Provides voice interpretation for deaf or hard of hearing individuals as needed.

Coordinates, prepares, facilitates and conducts in-service ASL training sessions for instructional assistants, faculty members, and students. Conducts training of, and may mentor other interpreters.

Performs various clerical and record keeping duties.

Performs other duties as assigned by classroom teacher, student case manager, and/or Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Specialist regarding the educational needs of students.

Tutor individual students or groups of students where appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge and Skills: The position requires specialized knowledge of expressive and receptive forms of sign language systems which may include American Sign Language, Conceptually Accurate Signed English, Signed Exact English, Manually Coded English, and Pidgin Signed English. Requires knowledge of interpreting strategies and techniques necessary to accommodate individual needs of students in a variety of educational settings. Requires knowledge of the foundational concepts of deaf culture. Requires knowledge of curriculum used in elementary through secondary schools. Requires sufficient human relation skills to exercise extreme patience when dealing with students and staff, and to convey technical concepts to others.

Abilities: Requires the ability to interpret and communicate fluently and with high proficiency in the sign language system appropriate to the individual needs of the students. Requires the ability to assess and adjust to students' language abilities and their preferred sign language system. Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality Requires the ability to convey information promoting the awareness of the unique needs of, and issues pertinent to, deaf or hard of hearing persons. Requires the ability to express common technical and vernacular expressions used in the classroom in a clear manner. Requires the ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the communication process between deaf or hard of hearin persons and the needs of the persons involved in that process. Requires the ability to speak and write English clearly and with proper structure.

Physical Abilities: Incumbent performs work of an active nature. Requires well-developed arm, hand, and finger dexterity in order to perform advanced sign language interpretation for up to twenty-five hours per week. Requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time. Requires visual acuity to recognize numbers and words, and detect speech patterns. Requires hearing acuity sufficient to understand information to be interpreted in a variety of educational environments. Requires facial dexterity to produce readable mouth movements for specific sign language expressions. Requires manual dexterity to produce readable sign language through movement of fingers and arms. Requires visual acuity to see information to be voiced (such as sign language and facial expressions).

Education and Experience: The position typically requires an Associate’s degree, successful completion of a sign language interpreter training program, a valid certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or other acceptable certifications and two years of experience in providing sign-to-English (expressive skills) and English-to-sign (receptive skills) interpreting in one or more sign systems/languages. Additional higher education may substitute for experience.

Licenses and Certificates: A valid driver’s license and certification by national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), or equivalent. In lieu of RID certification or equivalent, an educational interpreter must have achieved a score of 4.0 or above on the EIPA, the ESSE-I/R, or the NAD/ACCI assessment.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in classroom, office, intermittent outdoor environments, and off campus field trips where minimal health and safety considerations exist.

Board Approved 10-12-05
Amended: 1-6-10