2025-2026 Certified Sign Language Interpreter

Certified Sign Language Interpreter
Blue Springs School District
2025-2026

Position Summary:
The job of Certified Sign Language Interpreter is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for assisting in the instruction or supervision of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students; providing voice to sign and sign to voice support; serving as a resource to other school personnel requiring assistance with hearing impaired persons; and providing access to the general curriculum, classroom dynamics, and social interactions.

• This job reports to Building Principal
• This is a Full Time (179 Agreement Days, 7hrs/day), Benefits eligible position.
• The salary range for this position is $32,444 - $59,383. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Essential Functions:

• Administers and translates subject specific tests and skill assessments under the guidance of a classroom teacher or resource teacher for the purpose of evaluating students' subject proficiency.
• Assesses classroom, assembly hall, and other room setups for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students (e.g., noise level, visibility, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring proper setup to facilitate hearing impaired students' learning.
• Attends Individual Education Program meetings with assigned student(s) for the purpose of providing necessary input into the evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing/modifying students' objectives through the conversion of conversation to sign language.
• Coaches and provides instruction to Deaf/Hard of Hearing students, under the supervision of the teacher, in accordance with lesson plans (e.g. reading, spelling, self-esteem, behavioral skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students' academic success through a defined course of study.
• Confers with teachers for the purpose of assisting in evaluating student progress and/or implementing student objectives.
• Consults with teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and supporting staff for the purpose of conveying information and upgrading classroom skills necessary for the successful educational process for deaf or hard of hearing students.
• Facilitates the communication of classroom work and educational plans between teachers and hearing- impaired students for the purpose of providing methods to support and/or reinforce lesson plans to assigned students and to mainstream the students.
• Interprets in meetings and activities with hearing impaired individuals for the purpose of providing communication between voice to sign and sign to voice.
• Monitors and accompanies student(s) in various activity locations (e.g., classroom, lunch, grounds, etc.) for the purpose of providing for the safety and welfare of hearing-impaired students.
• Offers teachers input and feedback for the purpose of assisting in evaluating assigned hearing-impaired student progress and/or student objectives.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops, and committees for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.
• Performs record keeping and clerical functions (e.g., scheduling, copying, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or administrator in providing records/materials.
• Prepares a variety of documents, reports, and written materials of hearing-impaired students for the purpose of communicating information to parents, staff, providing written support, developing recommendations, and/or conveying information.
• Provides interpretation for group meeting for the purpose of providing content understanding to hearing impaired participants.
• Responds to emergency situations with hearing impaired students (e.g., injured student, fights, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Reverse interprets spoken words of hearing-impaired student(s) with limited speech for the purpose of facilitating classroom instruction of the hearing-impaired student(s).
• Translates verbal communication for the purpose of assisting students, teachers, and parents in communicating effectively between voice to sign and sign to voice.
• Uses adapted classroom work/homework/assessment instruments under the direction of the teacher for the purpose of providing voice to sign and sign to voice support and/or reinforcing classroom objectives.

Other Functions:

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Skills are required to perform single, technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating equipment used in instructional media machines and specialized equipment for the hearing impaired; operating standard office equipment using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and preparing materials to support work unit success.

Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: student behavior management strategies/techniques; and ASL or other manual communication language; age appropriate activities/behaviors; subject areas of curriculum; and both English and Spanish.

Ability is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited.

Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: present information in one-to-one or small group; interpret by sign all spoken and written language; voice interpret the signed communication of students or adults who are deaf; communicate with diverse groups; organizing tasks; and work with detailed information/data.

Responsibility:
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 15% sitting, 10% walking, and 75% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and in a generally hazard free environment. Experience: Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is desired.
Education: Community college and/or vocational school degree with study in job-related area.
Equivalency: Any combination of education, training, and/or experience which demonstrates ability to perform the required duties. A typical qualifying background would include an associate degree or equivalent in Sign Language from an approved and accredited Sign Language Program; or recognition from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Alternative Pathways of the Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts degree. Experience working with students with a variety of disabilities and in an educational setting is preferred.

Background Check:
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to the Blue Springs School District. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Equal Opportunity Employer 10/14/2024