Interpreter of the Deaf (Sign Language)

The Bibb County School District is now accepting applications for Sign Language Interpreter.

JOB SUMMARY:
The interpreter provides interpreting and/or transliterating services for Deaf consumers and hearing consumers in the educational environment. This environment includes classrooms, field trips, assemblies, counseling sessions, club meetings, extracurricular activities, IEP meetings, and other educational settings. The interpreter facilitates communication through use of sign language, spoken English, cultural mediation, and knowledge about visual accessibility. Within the context of an educational setting, the interpreter will facilitate communication and understanding among the deaf, hard of hearing, hearing students, and the teacher and others involved in the student's education. The interpreter will also need to provide interpretation in one or more forms.

REPORTS TO:
Director of Program for Exceptional Children

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT:
Program for Exceptional Children

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A minimum of an Associate Degree or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
2. Completion of an interpreter preparation program or equivalent experience required.
3. Ability to interpret and transliterate (expressive and sign-to-voice) at a normal conversational rate, American Sign Language, and manually coded English, required.
4. Ability to provide oral interpreting and transliterating (expressive and voice) required.
5. Certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf desired and the National Association of the Deaf (where applicable).

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
A fully qualified educational interpreter will possess:
1. Specialized knowledge about deafness.
2. An optimum combination of interpreting skills for expressing and receiving information in a variety of signed and oral languages and modes.
3. The interpersonal skills to work effectively and congenially with staff and students within the school system.
4. A comprehensive, general knowledge of academic subjects and current events
5. Knowledge of educational processes and organization.
6. An understanding of principles and practices of special education.
7. An understanding of aspects and issues of hearing impairment in students and adults.
8. Skills in presenting information visually to the deaf child, in the form most effective for that child's understanding.
9. Skills to interpret from and into American Sign Language, interpret orally, and interpret from and into at least one form of signed English.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide sign to voice and voice to sign interpreting, or visible to spoken and spoken to visible interpreting and voice (may include American Sign Language, a form of manually coded English, and/or oral interpreting) for deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream classes.
2. Participate in meetings with other members of the educational team dealing with the development and review of the Individualized Education Plan IEP) and progress in the classroom, as related to ability to process information.
3. Provide interpreting for situations that are part of the educational program that occur outside of the school environment.
4. Provide interpreting for extracurricular activities and parent meetings as necessary.
5. Assist in providing orientations to deafness and interpreting to hearing students and staff.
6. Other duties as determined with supervisor.
7. Provide tutoring when necessary and appropriate, when interpreting is not needed, as directed by the classroom teacher.
8. Interpret within:
a. Social and academic settings
b. Direct and overheard conversations
c. Class instruction, lectures, and tests
d. Assemblies, field trips, etc.
9. Keep all assignment related information strictly confidential.
10. Encourage staff members to collaborate with each other instead of using the interpreter as a source of information.
11. If requested, give information to the IEP team about the students skills regarding the use of interpreting services.
12. Do not include opinions about the students academic or social progress
13. Refer questions about improvement, grades etc. to the teacher(s).
14. Render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using the language most readily understood by the person(s) being served.
15. Never counsel, advise, or interject personal opinions into interpreted situations.
16. Accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
17. Function in a manner appropriate to each interpreted situation, demonstrating professional appearance, conduct, and promptness.
18. Strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
19. Strive to maintain high professional standards through professional membership, certification, and ethical practices.
20. Prepare for demanding course material as necessary for successful interpreting/transliterating.
21. Educate consumers about using interpreting services and providing visual access to deaf and hard of hearing students.
22. Assist in education about note-takers and captioned materials.
23. Other responsibilities such as tutoring, supervising, disciplining, and evaluating students are also inappropriate and manifest confusion about the interpreter's role.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Special education interpreter most often works in communicating concepts and information accurately in the school, community and home. Must possess the ability to demonstrate effective liaison relationships with parents, schools, and agencies.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Interpreting assignments may vary in length, depending upon the school schedule. The schedule may require multiple part-time interpreters and or full-time interpreters to ensure coverage of all classes and activities. Valid Georgia Driver's license.

SALARY/TERMS/BENEFITS:
1. 180 days; (10 month work year)
2. Salary range: Two years of college - $32,832.00 - $48,744.00; four years of college - $33,710.40 - $51,163.20; five years of college - $38,692.80 - $58,910.40 annually

3. Excellent benefits package: includes health insurance; dental and life insurance; employee assistance program; personal and sick leave; membership in Teachers' Retirement System.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To apply for this position, please complete an online application, submit a letter of interest and resume by attachment to your application. Educational documentation (diploma/transcripts); and three Classified Professional Reference Forms must be submitted preferably by attachment to your application.

NOTE: The Bibb County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation so long as the accommodation does not create an undue financial hardship for the district.

Screening/Consideration for employment will begin after closing date. An eligibility list will be created and will include only the candidates who meet the established qualifications. Chosen candidates will be contacted for interviews.

BIBB COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER