Job title: Sign Language Interpreter

Location: Federal Way, WA

Duration: 3+ months

Job Description:
Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years interpreting experience for the deaf
• Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a minimum score of 4.0, and the EIPA written test with a passing score; or
• National Interpreter Certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and the EIPA written test with a passing score
• Experience using sign language systems such as ASL, PSE (Contact Signing), and SEE
• Interpreting and transliterating skills (sign-to-voice & voice-to-sign)
• Proficiency in using the English language
• Evidence of continued training/professional studies
• Recognized two-year interpreter training program
• Certification by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) with CI/CT Certification of Interpretation and/or Certificate of Transliteration or National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
• Educational interpreting experience
• Criminal background clearance
• Possess EIPA certification by first school/work day
• The role of an Educational Interpreter within the educational team
• Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form with clients and staff
• Establish and maintain effective, collaborative, working relationships with a diverse community
• REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools’ commitment to “Each Scholar: A Voice
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage
• 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

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities include facilitating communication between the teacher and students in a classroom setting, and providing interpreting services for staff at school assemblies, staff meetings, and other special events
• Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Accompany student(s) who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing in all classes; interpret teacher instructions and lectures using fluent sign language
• Ensure that student(s) understand the teacher’s communications; repeat interpretation as requested
• Interpret auditory responses and communication by other students or presenters—facilitating students’ understand of group interaction
• Interpret sound track from films and tapes
• Voice interprets signed responses for teacher and hearing students, as needed
• Assist teacher in understanding verbal responses from student
• Communicate with teacher concerning student’s problems and progress
• Secure teacher’s attention as necessary to indicate that student has a question
• Interpret school events for student(s) who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, such as student assemblies, field trips, and special events
• Provides professional support and assistance to other interpreters in the D/HH program
• Providing back-up interpretation for classes as available
• Prepares for interpreting daily classroom lectures and activities (e.g. reviewing text, audio visual materials, specialized vocabulary, PowerPoint’s, etc.)
• Responsible for determining which manual sign is appropriate for communication with a specific person or group who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing (ASL, PSE, or SEE)
• Facilitates students’ reading of signs by maintaining an appropriate dress code/neutral colors & limited jewelry
• Facilitates student(s) reading of signs by recommending alternative seating arrangements, as appropriate
• Interpret for student(s) who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing in informal conversations with students and staff by interpreting language; interpret interaction between other students and student(s) who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing during unstructured time as necessary
• Serves as a member of the Interpreter Services team of the district; performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position
• Serves as a resource to other school district personnel requiring assistance when communicating with people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• May interpret for student(s), parents, and teachers who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing in other classes during meetings, conferences, or testing
• Performs other job related duties as assigned
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Work effectively under pressure and exercise independent judgment
• Organize, set priorities, coordinates activities and meet deadlines
• Effectively use e-mail, word processing, spread sheet and database computer software
• Remain flexible; able to cope with frequent interruptions and shift priorities to meet required deadlines
• Demonstrate professionalism in accordance with district policies and the Educational Interpreter
• Work scheduled shift on a consistent basis
• Keep confidentiality and observance of chain of command in departmental and outside communications
• Positively interact with students, staff and administrators
• Complies with school board policies and follows administrative procedures
• Complies with school building policies and practices regarding staff management of student behavior; takes appropriate action when necessary to manage student behavior
• Perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, use hands for repetitive motion
• The employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, and lift/carry
• The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 5 pounds and must frequently lift /carry up to 10 pounds
• The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 35 lbs
• The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum weight of 100 pounds
• 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
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and intermittently works near video display
• The employee occasionally may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions
• Position regularly requires exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals, typically in a school classroom environment
• Position reports directly to the building administrator or designee

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
Two years interpreting experience for the deaf