Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Job Title:

Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Serving as a member of the educational team, support students with hearing loss and staff, which may include hearing and deaf people. Minimize linguistic, cultural, and physical barriers, and facilitate all communication among deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) students, hearing personnel, and other hearing students in an educational environment through the use of American Sign Language or mode of communication appropriate for the language level of the student(s).

Work in tandem with special education and general education teachers to implement and adjust instruction based on the needs of students. Implement differentiated strategies specific to the need of students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to support them with: understanding lectures and classroom instruction; reading, writing, and math proficiency; academics and social needs outside of the classroom. Tutor academic classes and lessons as needed.

• Ensure Deaf/Hard of Hearing students receive and understand communication presented in all educational settings through interpreting, collaborating with general and special education teachers to facilitate signing interpretation and environmental feedback, and determining optimal positioning for student viewing.
• Communicate with all members of the educational team to provide input about student performance and progress for instructional planning, conferences, and IEP meetings; participate in IEP meetings to ensure interpreting is provided as needed.
• Assist the educational team by monitoring and supporting student behavior in all settings, facilitating and clarifying appropriate social interaction with peers, and helping students access extracurricular activities through interpreting and social interactions.
• Provide tutoring services to Deaf/Hard of Hearing students by reinforcing concepts taught in the classroom and adapting materials to match the student's communication profile.
• Plan for upcoming lessons and activities, interpreting more efficiently and providing academic assistance; adapt language and materials to meet the needs of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students.
• Uphold and enforce state, county, local, and district rules, regulations, and policies related to student accessibility and education.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required.
• Associate's degree.
• Two years of professional work experience in sign language or interpreting functional areas in an educational setting.
• Colorado Department of Education Educational Interpreter Authorization.
• Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Advanced knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Advanced knowledge and proficiency with American Sign Language and other signing systems.
• Intermediate organization skills.
• Intermediate tutoring skills.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced interpersonal relations skills.
• Advanced interpreting skills (voice to sign and sign to voice).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
• Ability to work one‑on‑one or in small groups with students.
• Ability to stay abreast of and follow the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment Professional Conduct Guidelines.

• Light work strength level (lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds).
• Primarily works indoors.
• Typically a moderate noise level.
• Work location is subject to change to meet organizational needs.
• Experience working in the public sector.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the capacity to commit to continuous improvement.
• Frequent standing and walking.
• Occasional bending, lifting, and climbing.
• Eye‑hand coordination.
• Visual concentration.
• Repetitive motions (hand and finger movement).
• Focusing in noisy environments.
• Usually a noisy environment.
• May be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Normal school district environment.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC) or equivalent.
• Experience working in the public sector.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the capacity to commit to continuous improvement.