Job Title: Interpreter, Sign Language

Location: Beveridge Middle School, 1616 S 120th Street, Omaha, NE 68144

Reports To: Building Principal

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 185 duty days, 7.0 hours per day, 10 Month/ Non- exempt

Salary Schedule: Per negotiated agreement

Start Date: August 2024

Position Purpose: The Sign Language Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services to deaf and hard of hearing students. The SLI’s primary function is to facilitate communication with peers, the classroom teacher, and other personnel in the school. Interpreting may include tutoring and participation in meetings as a member of the educational team.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• The Sign Language Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services to deaf and hard of hearing students in the school district.
• The SLI’s primary function is to facilitate communication with peers, the classroom teacher, and other personnel in the school.
• Interpreting may include tutoring and participation in meetings as a member of the educational team.
• Meet professional development requirements as defined in Nebraska State Statute, Rule 51
• Facilitate communication between hearing individuals and deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Reinforce skills presented by the teacher.
• Provide tutoring for deaf and hard of hearing students when necessary and interpreting is not required, and not during plan time.
• Provide interpreting/transliterating for parent meetings during the duty day.
• Assist in providing orientations about deafness and the use of sign language to hearing students and staff in collaboration with the Deaf Hard of Hearing Teacher, if needed (i.e.: beginning of the school year, new staff to building).
• Assist in implementing classroom adaptations when appropriate, as determined by the IEP, educational team, or in consultation with special education personnel.
• Provide general classroom assistance in general education or special education classrooms or occasional sign language instruction in mainstream classrooms when not scheduled to interpret not during plan time.
• Work with audiologists and special educators to insure functional status and use of devices for deaf/hard of hearing.
• Accept other responsibilities and duties as assigned by teacher, administrator, supervisor, or Lead EI/T when not engaged in interpreting. 
• Dedication to providing competent interpreting services.
• Willingness to adhere to the Omaha Public Schools' EI/T Code of Ethics.
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with students, staff and parents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Sign Language Interpreting
• Candidate must receive a passing score on the EIPA written exam, and attain and maintain one or more of the following competency levels as defined in Nebraska State Statute, Rule 51:
  • E.I.P.A- 4.0 or above
  • Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Certification (RID)
  • National Association of the Deaf (NAD)- Competency level 4.0 or above
  • National Interpreter Certification (NIC)\
  • Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST)-Competency level 4.0
• Excellent attendance record.
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
• Skill in organization, time management, communication, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools as appropriate.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Exemplary attendance.
• Ability to work the required number of hours. Hours will include evening and weekend.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to work within the local community/neighborhood as appropriate.
• Work in standard office and school building environment.
• Exemplary communication skills, verbal and written.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.
• Regular attendance is important.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time non-exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time, and the Teacher Contract. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.