American Sign Language Interpreter

Title: Interpreter for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing      

Department:   Schools

Reports To:     School Principal       

The School District of Philadelphia is the cornerstone provider of public education in Philadelphia. For forward-thinking administrators and educators, opportunities abound. Over 131,000 students entrusted to the District arrive at school every day with an extraordinary range of needs and aspirations. We are committed to delivering on their right to an excellent public school education, and we are particularly focused on ensuring every student has access to exceptional educational opportunities. Equity is our mandate. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Provides sign language interpretation for signing Deaf or Hard of Hearing students mainstreamed into regular education classes. Facilitates communication between Hard of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students and their teachers, their hearing peers and other personnel within the School District. Uses American Sign Language, transliteration or sign support to relay information both to and from the Deaf/Hard of Hearing student in order to assist in the instructional and socialized processes.

Essential Functions

• Uses a system of total communication and sign language; interprets spoken material from teachers, classmates or other school personnel into sign language for the understanding of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing student; interprets sign language communication of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing student into spoken language for hearing individuals.
• Confers and consults with special education teachers regarding Deaf/Hard of Hearing students’ needs and progress; assists in the identification and expression of students’ needs and concerns; charts the progress of students.
• Reviews and studies curriculum material in order to assist Deaf/Hard of Hearing students in their comprehension of school material; participates in staff development, sensitivity awareness and in-service training with other school staff.
• Serves as an interpreter for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students and parents at special assemblies and meetings or any School District activity.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree from an accredited community college in interpreter education/preparation.
• Three years of full-time, paid experience as an educational interpreter.
• Possession of a valid Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) report with a score of 3.5 or higher or valid certificate as a Sign Language Interpreter from the Registry of Interpreters for Deaf, Inc.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education or a related field.
• Two years of full-time, paid experience as an educational interpreter.
• Possession of a valid Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) report with a score of 3.5 or higher or valid certificate as a Sign Language Interpreter from the Registry of Interpreters for Deaf, Inc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • American Sign Language.
  • the effects of hearing loss on the psychological and educational development of students.
  • the current principles, practices, trends and literature in the field of hearing disorders.

• Demonstrated skill:
  • using American Sign Language.

• Demonstrated ability to:

• communicate fluently in English and American Sign Language.
• understand and respond appropriately to subtle indications that the student may not have understood the presented material and to translate the material through the use of sign language.
• communicate ideas and concepts to Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
• communicate ideas and concepts expressed by the Deaf/Hard of Hearing student to school personnel and classmates.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.