TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Classified Salary Range

 

Benefits Available

 

 

Therapy Assistant

American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL)

Special Services District-Wide position

7.00 hours per day/5 days per week/180 days per year

Shift time is subject to building needs. 

 

JOB SUMMARY
The Interpreter facilitates communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing
(DHH) and others, conveys, pre-teaches, and re-teaches teacher instruction and intent,
and conveys student responses, information, and intent. Provides voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice support in the classroom, office, meetings, and other workplace settings including confidential meetings regarding sensitive staff and/or student issues. Participates as a team member to plan, review and share information, and serves as a resource to other school personnel.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. High school diploma or GED and a minimum of 72 college quarter credits from a nationally accredited institution/pass ETS test required.
  2. Fluent in American Sign Language, certification required (EIPA 3.5 or NIC).
  3. Must have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  4. Accurate and efficient at completing tasks on time without constant/direct supervision.
  5. Must have the ability to relate in a positive way with teachers, parents, and students using tact, courtesy, kindness, and good judgment.
  6. Strong organizational and management skills.
  7. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the board may find acceptable.
  8. Ability to work effectively with large or small groups or individual students under the supervision of certificated staff.
  9. Prior experience or training working with children in large or small group settings.
  10. Must have the ability to apply appropriate discipline according to district procedures and school policies.
  11. Excellent attendance.
  12. Interpret spoken language to sign language for hearing-impaired students.
  13. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the building principal and or supervisor.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in
consultation with the employee(s) involved.

  1. Interprets communication and dynamics between people who are DHH and hearing persons, including what staff, students, or the DHH person may say and other sounds that may occur, to facilitate accurate communication.
  2. Provides interpretation in classrooms and for various other situations, such as assemblies, field trips, meetings, test administration, phone calls, music, extra-curricular activities, and athletic practices and competitions.
  3. Uses American Sign Language or the manual sign system appropriate for a specific DHH person or group; observes DHH person for indications of understanding, questions, or comments; refers questions from DHH students to the teacher.
  4. Familiarizes self with the subject matter being taught, previewing instructional materials as necessary to ensure the ability to utilize appropriate signing of vocabulary and expressions applicable to the subject.
  5. Pre-teaches and re-teaches content delivered by the General Education or Special Education teachers
  6. Breaks down language depending on student’s language level
  7. Adapts signing to varying abilities of staff and to the affect of the speaker to objectively express the tone and mood of the speaker as well as the content of the material; re-signs communications using different signs as necessary to facilitate understanding or communication.
  8. Facilitates DHH person's reading of signs by maintaining a dress code of solid-colored clothes that contrast with skin tone and limited jewelry that may interfere or reduce visual reception by causing glare or distraction; selects a standing or sitting position that allows the DHH person to see the interpreter and the teacher/speaker, as well as any visual aids. Modifies positioning as appropriate to changing dynamics of class/presentation(s).
  9. Serves as a resource person for District staff providing information regarding the interpretation process and deaf culture; may provide informal instruction in basic sign language skills.
  10. Drives or travels to different district schools or off-site locations (job training, sports, etc.) to perform job duties as directed.
  11. Participates in workshops, conferences, and other professional development as directed.
  12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

The Moses Lake School District #161 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX, Civil Rights, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity officer, Michelle Musso, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766-2650, mmusso@mlsd161.org; OR Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Samantha Burgess, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766- 2670, sburgess@mlsd161.org