Anticipated 2023-24: Sign Language Interpreter - SVRP (Rockingham County)

Summary

The Shenandoah Valley Regional Program (SVRP) is a public regional organization designed to meet the needs of students receiving special education services. The regional collaboration include the following school divisions: Page County, Shenandoah County, Rockingham County, Harrisonburg City, Augusta County, Staunton City and Waynesboro City. This position would provide sign language interpreting services in one of the designated school divisions listed above or there is also the option to serve in a floating role serving the region.

Sign language interpreters facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing students, their hearing peers, teachers, administrators, or other personnel within the school system while adhering to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. Interpreters will interpret all auditory and visual information, including instructions, discussions, questions and answers, interruptions, and messages on the public address system; interprets movies, slides, student presentations, and other audio-visual presentations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interpret all content and special subject areas for deaf or hard-of-hearing students, as deemed necessary by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Interpret for other activities during the school day to include but not limited to IEP meetings, parent conferences, assemblies, performances, announcements, musicals, and field trips.
• Interpret interactions of deaf students with administrators, guidance counselors, media specialists, and other staff members for the purpose of facilitating communication.
• Prepare for all interpreting assignments to ensure accurate representation of the material being presented.
• Serve as a resource for teachers, administrators, and other staff members regarding the role of the interpreter and promote cultural sensitivity.
• Serve as a language role model and encourage self-advocacy and independence for deaf students.
• Demonstrates professionalism in all interactions with administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students.
• Maintains certification at the state and/or national level;assumes responsibility for professional growth and keeps materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities.
• Complies with and supports school and division regulations and policies.
• Maintains proper boundaries with students at all times, ensuring respect for the ethical and legal duties in the staff-student relationship and the essential duty to serve as a role model.
• Other duties as assigned
  

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

  • Thorough knowledge of sign language methods and procedures.
  • Ability to sign accurately and rapidly process information for extended periods.
  • Ability to travel to one of the seven listed school divisions where coverage is needed on specific days.
  • Ability to shift work hours as needed to cover after-school activities/meetings if interpreting services are not needed during the school day.
  • Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Must possess the ability to establish rapport and work cooperatively with others in a positive manner.
  • Possess the ability to communicate and develop effective working relationships with students, parents, administrators, teachers, and staff.
  • Must maintain confidentiality.
  
  

  QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

  • Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited high school or General Education Development Certificate (GED) required. Associate Degree or higher preferred.
  • Candidate must possess or be eligible for VQAS III certification; or
  • Pass the EIPA Written Test and achieve a minimum of 3.5 on EIPA Performance test, or
  • Obtain national certification through Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf (RID)
  
  

  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. Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact as defined by the ability to see, read, talk, and hear. Frequent walking, standing, sitting, stooping, and occasional lifting of equipment and/or materials up to approximately 30 pounds may be required. Required to use hands, fingers and gross motor movements of arms to communicate. Other limited physical activities may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

  
  WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  Daily personal and close contact with students to provide learning support is required. Regular contact with other staff members and administrators is required. Contact with parents and medical professionals may be required. Occasional attendance at building-level meetings and division wide meetings and training may be necessary. Driving is required to the various school divisions listed above with mileage reimbursement provided.

  
  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Sign Language Interpreter will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Shenandoah Valley Regional Program reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

  
  185 Day Contract / 7.5 Hours Per Day
  Salary Scale on ACPS website