SUMMARY: Position is to facilitate communication in the language most readily understood (i.e. American Sign Language, manually coded English, contact variety, signed Exact English, cued speech, or oral) for student(s), parents, etc. To provide interpreting services as stipulated in the students Individualized Education Plan (EIP).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Facilitate communication between special educators, general educators, and others to successfully integrate deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the regular classroom.
- Analyze communication and the interpreting process to produce a linguistically appropriate representation of classroom communication for each students ability and goals.
- Demonstrate knowledge about deafness in the education process.
- Demonstrate knowledge about meeting the needs of the students.
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of instructional strategies/techniques relevant to tutoring of elementary and secondary students regarding general education classes.
- Interpret after school activities, meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High School Diploma/GED required, plus post-secondary course work from a recognized business, vocational or community college equivalent to three (3) years of college and/or an Associated Degree/advanced specialized knowledge/skills related to this position.
EXPERIENCE: Up to two years experience working with and interpreting for deaf/hard of hearing students. Completion of either an interpreter training or preparation program is preferable.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT: Position requires employee to be proficient in sign language to facilitate communication and successfully integrate deaf and hard of hearing students in the classroom. Must be knowledgeable of curriculum, teaching and tutoring methods. Must have an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment written test or a EIPA/per-hire sign language screening with a passing score prior to hire.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: Valid Colorado Educational Interpreter Certificate or an Authorization - Educational Interpreter or applicant has met the minimum skill requirements for a Temporary Authorization - Educational Interpreter.
SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Position serves as a communication avenue for students that are deaf or hard-of-hearing, demonstrates techniques and modifications that educators might use in creating a positive and effective learning environment. Demonstrates knowledge of personal and classroom amplification systems and to conduct basic trouble shooting regarding hearing aids, cochlear implants and FM problems.
CONTACTS: Position requires daily contact with persons in same work unit/building and students regarding routine internal matters and to provide a service. Weekly contact with persons in other departments/buildings to furnish or obtain information. Monthly contact with parents to maintain relationships and the general public to furnish or obtain information. Annual contact with applicants to furnish or obtain information.
SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHERS: Medium to high exposure to self from repetitive motion when signing. Low exposure of self to bruises due to typical minor school environment accidents.
The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is not required to lift or move items. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the functions of this position the employee may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes/airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals or outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and use interpersonal skills. Frequently required to compare, analyze, instruct, and evaluate. The employee is occasionally required to coordinate.
JUDGMENT AND DECISION-MAKING: Work is assigned by administration/teacher for each semester based on the students needs. The type of decision making relates to helping a student gain self-advocacy skills and deciding language equivalencies. The decision making process is guided by District policies, Guidelines of Professional Conduct for Educational Interpreters and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics. Typically decision making involves the collaboration of the deaf and hard-of-hearing teacher and the classroom teacher. An error in decision making could cause the student to be enabled instead of empowered, improper signing could cause miscommunications ultimately causing the failure to understand new concepts or instructions. Supervisor is only involved in making major decisions.
DIVERSITY OF DUTIES: Duties require knowledge and cross-training in the areas of signing, classroom instruction and the knowledge of the classroom goals prior to student?s introduction to the material. Needs to be able to recommend and advanced preparation time in areas of responsibility. This position crosses over several departments on a daily basis.