Description

Interpreter for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Purpose Statement

The job of Interpreter for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibilities for assisting in the instruction or supervision of deaf and hard of hearing students; providing voice to sign and sign to voice support; and serving as a resource to other school personnel requiring assistance with deaf and hard of hearing persons.

This job reports to Assistant Director of Special Education/ Supervising Teacher.

Essential Functions

Adapt classroom work under the direction of the teacher for providing a method to support and/or reinforce lesson plans to assigned students.
Administer subject specific tests and skill assessments under the guidance of a classroom teacher or resource teacher for evaluating students' language ability and subject proficiency.
Assess classroom, assembly hall, and other room setups for deaf and hard of hearing students (e.g. noise level, visibility, etc.) for ensuring proper setup to facilitate deaf and hard of hearing students' learning.
Attend Individual Education Program meetings with assigned student(s) for providing necessary input into the evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing/modifying students' objectives through the conversion of conversation to ASL.
Conduct in-service meetings for conveying information and upgrading classroom skills necessary for the successful educational process for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Confer with teachers, parents and/or appropriate community agency personnel for assisting in evaluating student progress and/or implementing student objectives.
Under the direction of the teacher, instruct students, individually or in small groups, (e.g. reading, spelling, self-esteem, behavioral skills, daily living skills, etc.) for implementing goals for remediation of student deficiencies and ensuring students success by the conversion of language to ASL or other form of effective communication.
Interpret for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in meetings and in other activities (e.g. lectures, discussions, demonstrations, announcements, extracurricular activities, etc.) for facilitating communication between hearing impaired individuals and others (peers, teachers, etc.).
Maintain a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic lists and records for documenting activities and/or providing information.
Monitors activities of assigned student(s) in a variety of locations (e.g. classroom, lunch, grounds, special events assemblies, etc.) for providing for the safety and welfare of students and providing a safe and positive learning environment.
Participate in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees for conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
Perform record keeping and clerical functions (e.g. scheduling, copying, etc.) for supporting the teacher and/or administrator in providing records/materials.
Prepare for daily learning activities by collaborating with teachers and preparing materials for interpretation.
Provide ASL interpretation for group meetings for providing content understanding to deaf and hard of hearing participants.
Provides teachers with student progress updates for assisting in evaluating student progress and/or student objectives.
Respond to emergency situations (e.g. injured student, drills, etc.) for resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
Translate verbal communication for assisting students, teachers and parents in communicating effectively between voice to sign and sign to voice.
Use adapted classroom work/homework/assessment instruments under the direction of the teacher for providing voice to sign and sign to voice support and/or reinforcing classroom objectives.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: ASL, ESL, Signed Exact English or other communication methodology used with individuals affected by speech, language and hearing disorders (EIPA professional level of competence); operating equipment used in instructional media machines and specialized equipment for the hearing impaired; operating standard office equipment using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include student behavior management strategies/techniques; Interpreters Code of Ethics; and IDEA and Education Rights and Privacy Act.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include maintaining confidentiality and meeting deadlines and schedules.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 45% sitting, 5% walking, and 50% standing. The job is performed in a generally hazard free environment.

Experience: Job related experience within a specialized field is required.

Education: Targeted, job related education with study in job-related area.

Equivalency: Acquire and maintain professional level competence through scoring a 3 or higher on the educational interpreter's performance assessment examination.

Required Testing Certificates and Licenses

Continuing Educ. / Training Clearances

Certification Rating of "3" or higher on the EIPA

Criminal Background Clearance

FLSA Status Approval Date Salary Grade

Non-Exempt

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Geary County USD #475 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and/or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For questions or complaints based on race, color, national origin, sex or age, please contact the USD 475 Executive Director of Personnel Services, 123 N. Eisenhower, Junction City, KS 66441. Telephone: 785.717.4000. For questions or complaints based on disability, please contact the USD 475 Executive Director of Special Education, 123 N. Eisenhower, Junction City, KS 66441. Telephone: 785.717.4000.

Mary E. Devin Center for Education Support

Geary County Schools USD 475

Geary County Schools 475 is a regular school district located in Geary County with 16 schools, 541 teachers and 7,995 students. Total Revenue is $113,140,000 and is trending flat. Geary County Schools 475 spends $12,708 per student per year on instruction.