Job Title:	American Sign Language Educational Interpreter
Department:	Special Education	Salary Schedule:	Lane 13
FLSA Status:	Non-Exempt	State Academic License (Y/N):	N
Reports To:	Assigned Administrator or Director of Special Education	Supervises:	No

 

Job Goal: The American Sign Language Educational Interpreter provides accurate, effective, and impartial communication access for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The interpreter facilitates communication between assigned students and teachers, staff, peers, families, and other members of the school community across instructional and school-related settings. The position supports access to the educational program while preserving the roles and responsibilities of the classroom teacher and other service providers.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Interpret spoken English into American Sign Language and interpret American Sign Language into spoken English accurately, effectively, and impartially.
• Provide interpreting and, when appropriate to the student's documented communication needs, transliterating services during classroom instruction, discussions, meetings, assemblies, school events, extracurricular activities, vocational experiences, and field trips.
• Interpret grade-level academic content, specialized vocabulary, social interactions, and school communications while preserving the intent, tone, and meaning of the original message.
• Support communication access identified in the student's Individualized Education Program or other applicable educational plan.
• Collaborate with teachers, related-service providers, administrators, and other members of the educational team regarding communication access and interpreting needs.
• Prepare for interpreting assignments by reviewing lesson content, vocabulary, schedules, and other relevant materials while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Convey relevant auditory and environmental information, including announcements, alarms, bells, and other cues, when needed for student access or safety.
• Follow teacher direction when supporting classroom activities and student participation. The interpreter does not replace the teacher, independently deliver instruction, or independently modify curriculum.
• Follow established student support, behavior, health, safety, and emergency procedures. The interpreter does not independently develop, direct, or evaluate behavior or instructional plans unless separately assigned and qualified to do so.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA, district policies, professional ethical standards, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of interpreting services and other documentation required by the district. The interpreter does not independently grade students or evaluate academic progress unless those responsibilities are expressly assigned and the employee is qualified to perform them.
• Use communication devices and assistive technology appropriately and report access concerns to the assigned administrator or designated service provider.
• Participate in required professional learning and complete continuing education necessary to maintain required credentials.
• Adapt to changes in student assignments, schedules, grade levels, and school locations based on district needs.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the purpose and qualifications of the position.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and strong command of spoken and written English.
• Professional interpreting techniques, including receptive and expressive interpreting and, when required by the assignment, transliteration.
• Educational terminology, classroom practices, child and adolescent development, and communication needs of students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
• Professional standards of confidentiality, impartiality, ethical decision-making, and appropriate role boundaries.
• Ability to interpret academic and school-related content across varied settings and adjust language use to the student's age, communication mode, and documented needs.
• Ability to establish effective professional relationships with students, families, staff, and community members.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, receive feedback, manage stress, and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
• Ability to operate computers, communication devices, and assistive technology used in the educational environment.

Qualifications (minimum education, licensure, and/or experience)

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language and spoken and written English sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Current nationally recognized interpreter certification applicable to the assignment, such as an appropriate credential recognized by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or another educational-interpreter credential or assessment accepted by Oak Ridge Schools and permitted by applicable law and program requirements.
• Professional interpreting experience with individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
• Ability to maintain all required credentials and complete continuing education throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in interpreting, American Sign Language, Deaf studies, education, or a related field.
• Completion of an accredited or recognized interpreter-training program.
• 1-3 years of experience interpreting in a prekindergarten through grade 12 educational setting.
• 1-3 years of experience supporting students with Individualized Education Programs and collaborating with multidisciplinary educational teams.

Licenses Certifications and Other Requirements:

• Must maintain the interpreter credential or qualifying assessment required for the assignment and by applicable law, regulation, district policy, or funding source.
• Must satisfy all district pre-employment requirements, including fingerprinting and a satisfactory Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Read, see, and distinguish colors on screens, in books, and in other instructional materials, with or without visual aids.
• Hear and distinguish spoken communication and environmental sounds necessary to interpret and convey auditory information.
• Communicate clearly and effectively using American Sign Language and spoken English.
• Use hands, fingers, wrists, and arms continuously for expressive and receptive communication.
• Operate computers, communication devices, assistive technology, and other standard office equipment.
• Sit, stand, walk, kneel, bend, twist, reach, push, pull, and lift or carry up to 50 pounds.
• Move quickly and safely across various surfaces and terrain, including classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, school grounds, and community-based settings.
• Maintain the physical stamina and visual attention necessary to provide interpreting services throughout the workday.

 

 

Work Days: 189