Sign Language Interpreter

Sign Language Interpreter

Des Moines Public School District Multiple Schools – Des Moines, Iowa

• Job : 5795224
• Final date to receive applications: Jul 01, 2026 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)
• Posted: Jun 22, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: To Be Determined

TITLE: Sign Language Interpreter

CLASSIFICATION: PARA

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS:

• Valid Iowa Department of Health Interpreting license
• Successful experience or competency working in a culturally diverse educational environment

• Two-year (or more) interpreter training program and/or experience involving extensive contact with the deaf and hard of hearing community.
• AA degree in interpreting or Bachelor’s Degree in an area
• Educational interpreting experience with DHH children

JOB SUMMARY: Interpret between spoken English and ASL at a fluent rate. The essential functions as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the student services department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for interpreting all information presented in a classroom or building situation, including lectures, announcements, discussions, assemblies, etc.
• Attend staffing meeting and IEP meetings when appropriate to address communication needs and classroom observations of specific student(s).
• Participate as part of the IEP instructional team and work collaboratively with other team members.
• Report concerns to the appropriate individual.
• Interpret as delineated by the student’s IEP, using the district’s communication policy as a guide.
• Direct student to ask questions to the teacher.
• Arrive at class on time and remain in the instructional setting with the deaf student(s) even during tests or independent work until the class is over or scheduled time ends.
• Interpret for school-sponsored functions outside of the classroom during regularly scheduled school hours (Exceptions: non-school sponsored events).
• Maintain confidentiality by discussing assignments only with classroom teachers, lead interpreter, IEP team members, or administrators directly responsible for the educational program of the deaf student on a need- to-know basis.
• Confer and plan with classroom teachers and TDHHs in order to be prepared for interpreting; prepare for interpreting by accessing curriculum content ahead of time.
• Seek professional development opportunities and attend district sponsored PD opportunities as appropriate.
• Attend all sign language interpreter professional development sessions provided by the district/AEA.
• Assist with classroom adaptations when appropriate, as determined by the IEP, staffing team, or in consultation with deaf education personnel.
• Provide sign language instruction in mainstream classes if requested - Serve as liaison to promote rapport between general education and deaf education classrooms, deaf and hearing students, the school and deaf community.
• Interpret for deaf adults, when appropriate.
• Provide supervision for students outside the classroom setting.
• When not interpreting, accept other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the lead interpreter, building principal, program coordinator, or D/HH teacher. This could include, but is not limited to: tutoring, facilitating language development, etc.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position):

• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.
• Assist with other duties as may be assigned.

DEPARTMENT: Student and Family Services

REPORTS TO: Deaf Education Coordinator

HIGHEST LEVEL SUPERVISED: N/A

BARGAINING GROUP: DMEA

FLSA STATUS: No-Exempt

CALENDAR: 190 day

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequent:
Standing,…