Interpreter

Interpreter for Students

This position is responsible for facilitating communication between users of English (spoken and/or written) and users of sign language including American Sign Language (ASL) and English-based sign systems. Interpreters provide students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind with appropriate access to classroom instruction and communication with all school staff and students in the environment so they have an equitable opportunity for academic and social learning. Interpreters also assist students in learning to use an Interpreter (using the "Pyramid of Support" concept), the development of self advocacy skills, and the development of independence across all settings as appropriate.

Essential Duties or Responsibilities:

Facilitate Student Learning -- 60%

Serving as a facilitator of communication between the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/hh) students and hearing students, faculty and staff in all school-related settings

Serving D/hh students using American Sign Language (ASL) or other manual sign systems appropriate for the student and voicing for the D/hh student as needed

Interpreting and facilitating communication in environments including but not limited to classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, assemblies, outdoors, counseling and tutoring sessions, school-related meetings and extra-curricular events

Providing information and orientation to D/hh students in emergency situations including but not limited to evacuation drills, lockdowns, medical intervention by nursing staff

Monitors students for “back-channeling” or feedback indicating they understand the interpretation and make adjustments if student is struggling

Uses the "Pyramid of Support" concept when working with students in providing supports and education on using an interpreter

Interprets all instruction related communication including non-captioned videos and discussions

Collaboration with Administrations, Teachers, and the Interpreting Team -- 15%

Participating in formal and informal team meetings including but not limited to IEP meetings, through oral or written communication regarding communication performances, strategies and/or progress

Following supervisor’s directives for each assigned student in compliance with IEP goals

Facilitating in-service opportunities for staff regarding the use of interpreting services and providing visual access to D/hh students

Partnering with administrators, faculty and staff to gain a clear understanding of the relevant concepts, goals and objectives of lessons to better facilitate interpretation for the D/hh student

Interprets MSDB staff meetings, IEP meetings, workshops, conferences, and other events where staff members need interpreting services

Professional Relationships – 10%

Establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Consulting with colleagues and Deaf role models, web-based and other library resources for updated information

Maintaining awareness of the local, national and worldwide current events to facilitate effective interpretation to D/hh students in an educational setting

Maintain Ethical Behavior -- 10%

Complies with NAD/RID Professional Code of Conduct

Participates in team-interpreting as appropriate

Attends professional development opportunities

Works with Interpreting Specialist with job embedded activities

Maintains confidentiality and demonstrates good ethics in regards to student/staff interactions

Other duties as assigned -- 5%