SUMMARY

The interpreter provides interpreting and/or transliterating services for deaf students in the educational environment. This environment includes classrooms, field trips, assemblies, counseling sessions, club meetings, extracurricular activities, IEP meetings, and other educational settings. The interpreter facilitates communication through use of sign language, spoken English, and knowledge about visual accessibility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Provides interpreting and/or transliterating services for deaf students in the educational environment and acts a language model for the students

Trains deaf/HH youngsters to use the interpreter

May provide instruction for sign language classes.

Conducts individual instruction as directed by the supervisor of the deaf education program and/or classroom teachers, time permitting.

Assists in evaluating student progress according to the criteria and procedures outlined by the teacher especially interpreting goals/objectives.

Informs teacher and other appropriate staff members of any problems or special information about individual students, including communication skills and language mode of each student.

Facilitates communication through use of sign language, spoken English, and knowledge about accessibility

Interprets within social and academic settings, direct conversations, class instructions, lectures, tests, assemblies, fieldtrips, extracurricular activities, tutoring and any other school function.

Keeps all assignment-related information strictly confidential

Encourages staff members to collaborate with each other instead of using the interpreter as a source of information

Gives information to the deaf ed teacher about the student’s skills regarding use of interpreting services

Does not give opinions about the student’s academic or social progress

Refers questions about improvement, grades, etc. to the teacher

Follows the NAD-RID Professional Code of Conduct

Renders the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using the language most readily understood by the person(s) being served

Functions in a manner appropriate to each interpreted situation, demonstrating professional appearance, conduct, and promptness

Strives to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field as prescribed by TEA

Maintains high professional standards by virtue of professional membership, certification, and ethical practices

Prepares for demanding course material as necessary for successful interpreting/transliterating

Assists in education of staff about note-takers and captioned materials

Communicates that other responsibilities such as tutoring, supervising, disciplining, and evaluating students are inappropriate and cause confusion about the interpreter’s role

Determines appropriate learning environment and communicate with staff to accommodate changes

Provides in-service training (Lead Interpreter only).

Participates and is knowledgeable in the ARD process.

Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Superintendent.



SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead interpreter oversees other interpreters


QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. There may be alternatives to the below qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Proficiency in signing as evidenced by a Basic (Level 1) certification or higher

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to effectively communicate orally, in writing or signing to a variety of audiences including conferences with parents, community service providers, district staff, chairing committee meetings, preparing written student evaluations, preparing written reports regarding program implementation/recommendations, preparing policies and procedures, and conducting staff development activities.


MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform basic math
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, and percentages.


REASONING ABILITIES

• 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.


CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Basic or Level 1 Interpreting Certificate

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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 regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.  The employee is often required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds or assist in a 2 man lift up to 200 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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.

Regular district-wide travel to multiple campuses as assigned.