Beaumont independent school district

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

To interpret for hearing impaired students Pre-K through 12th grade in a variety of educational settings, to assist the deaf education teacher in academic development of those students and to assist in the preparation and organization of classroom activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Certificate in Interpreting issued by DARS – DHHS Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), or the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). Beginning on January 1, 2012, an applicant for a Certification in Interpreting must possess the following:
  • Passed the Written Test of English Proficiency through the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters or the Knowledge Portion of the National Interpreter Certification through the Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf.
  • Possess an associate degree from an accredited college or university, field of interpreting preferred.
  • Passed the Performance Test of Sign Language Proficiency Test through the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, the Performance Portion of the National Interpreter Certification through the Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf or Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Must be able to interpret/transliterate expressively and receptively
• Knowledge of the role of the interpreter and RID Code of Ethics
• Ability to work with hearing impaired students
• Knowledge of deaf culture
• General knowledge of language development and child development
• Ability to read and interpret documents
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Strong people skills and team player
• Ability to use a computer, other classroom technologies and general office equipment

Experience:

• One year of experience providing interpreting services preferred
• Some experience working with children preferred

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Work with and under the immediate direction of the teacher(s) to whom assigned.
2. Assist the deaf education teacher(s) with:
   1. Planning, production, and organization of instructional materials
   2. Evaluation and reporting of pupil performance and progress
   3. Individual and/or group instruction activities
   4. General supervision of students in all settings
   5. Clerical duties, hearing aid checks, FM system checks, etc
   6. Any other classroom related activities
3. Cooperate with other staff members in the movement of students from one activity to another.
4. Participate in appropriate district, school in-service activities.
5. Serve as a role model for students in:
   1. Personal appearance and dress
   2. Usage of appropriate speech, signing vocabulary and other means of communication
   3. Personal behavior at all times.
6. Accept personal responsibility for the care of school facilities, supplies, and equipment.
7. Teach pupils to respect school facilities, supplies, and equipment.
8. Develop and maintain proper attitudes, good work habits, and respect for the rights and properties of others. Encourage students to do the same.
9. Work toward becoming an effective, dependable member of the total school program and to the specific area assigned. Be prompt, regular, and honest in attendance and job performance.  Be appropriate in conversations and behavior.  Be friendly and concerned about others.
10. Operate in accordance with district regulations and within the framework of any specific guidelines of the buildings to which assigned.
11. Assist with and participate in all school activities (district, and/or individual school); cooperate with teacher(s) assigned. All aspects of student supervision, (i.e. playground, lunchroom, hall, transportation, etc.), are included in this regulation.
12. Become and remain well-versed in the deaf education classroom or general education classroom course materials in order to demonstrate competency.
13. Become and remain well-versed in course material in order to demonstrate competency in the interpreting or transliterating process.
14. May be required to take class notes to facilitate instruction for the student(s).
15. Assist with in-class support in either the self-contained deaf education setting or the general education setting via sign language to facilitate communication (i.e. small group instruction, individual tutoring, or clarification of information presented by the teacher).
16. Demonstrate flexibility when role shifts take place (i.e. in-class support vs. interpreting in a self-contained deaf education setting or in the general education setting).
17. Interpret in educational setting including classrooms, school-related programs, meetings, conferences, ARD meetings, and as needed in other school activities and school environments.
18. Be informed, monitor, and report to the deaf education teacher when concerns arise about the student’s attention, comprehension, and general academic progress, and accommodations/modifications approved by the Admissions Review and Dismissal committee (ARD).
19. Interpret/transliterate according to the specifications of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s communication needs.
20. Demonstrate professionalism in all ethical areas, especially in applying the Interpreter Code of Ethics to the educational setting as well as all communication.
21. Participate in RDSPD Supervisor approved staff development targeted at assisting individuals to develop expressive and receptive sign language proficiency or in topics related to the field of deaf education. Provide copies of attendance/completion certificates to RDSPD office.
22. Maintain current certification through DARS-DHHS/BEI or RID or EIPA.
23. Work with any identified RDSPD student in any assignment.
24. Perform other duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• Computer, Printer, Copier, Audio-Visual Equipment, Sound Field Systems and Amplification Devices

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands

• Ability to communicate effectively in receptive and expressive sign language as well as spoken/written English
• Ability to paraphrase, clearly explain, and accurately convey/receive signed and spoken information
• Maintain emotional control while working with students and adults
• Ability to repair communication breakdowns
• After hours work for overtime

Physical Demands

• Repetitive hand motions due to signing; hearing, speech, and visual activity
• Moderate, bending, stooping, lifting, standing, walking

Environmental Demands

• Normal office environment
• Exposure to childhood communicable diseases; good general health and stamina needed
• Limited driving

The above statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to the job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.