Looking for Educational Interpreter (American Sign Language) in Maryland
Job title: Educational Interpreter (American Sign Language)
Company: Howard County Public School System
Job description: The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in the state of Maryland and the nation. In alignment with our , our mission is to ensure academic success and social emotional well-being for our approximately 57,000 students in an inclusive and nurturing environment that closes opportunity gaps. To learn more about employment with HCPSS, please visit .
DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Countywide Services, the Educational Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services for deaf/hard of hearing children in the school district. The primary function is to serve as a communication facilitator between children who are deaf/hard of hearing and their hearing peers, the classroom teacher, and other school staff. Other duties that may be performed when not required to provide interpreting services include providing educational support and participating in meetings as a member of the education team. The function of an Educational Interpreter is to provide access to communication using American Sign Language, Cued Speech, and/or Oral Transliteration to and from spoken English through a complex process that requires a high degree of linguistic, cognitive, and technical skills.
ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Make the language of the classroom accessible to students who are deaf/hard of hearing through interpretation in the child?s language level and communication mode as stated in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Work with classroom teachers of multiple disciplines to facilitate academic and personal communication for deaf/hard of hearing students with adults and student peers, by providing interpreting services during scheduled classroom lessons, tutoring sessions, parent conferences, meetings, and other school activities.
- Review coursework materials in advance so that classroom activities and assignments can be conveyed clearly and accurately.
- Follow guidelines and procedures of the Department of Special Education (DSE) to provide support and interpretation assistance to deaf/hard of hearing students.
- Provide input and follow recommendations made by IEP teams related to students? interpreting needs (e.g., communication strategies, student progress with services, recommends resource materials related to student interpreting needs, etc.).
- Collaborate and serve as a liaison to DSE staff, classroom teachers, related service providers, parents, advocates, and other school staff.
- Perform other duties assigned by the school principal or designee when this does not conflict with the primary responsibility of interpreting.
- Interpreter skills translating signing/cueing to and from spoken English.
- Proficiency in English and American Sign Language, Cued Speech, or other modes of communication.
- Ability to exercise professionalism and patience in highly active learning environments or stressful situations.
- Interpersonal skills that will enable the candidate to communicate and work collaboratively with administrators, central office staff, teachers, families, and other HCPSS stakeholder groups.
- Knowledge and cultural awareness of the Deaf culture.
- Knowledge of current trends and best practices related to providing services to deaf/hard of hearing and/or special education students.
- Knowledge and understanding of the practices, procedures, and documentation in a public preK-12 school system.
- High school diploma or GED (equivalency) and evidence of progress towards achieving a national level certification.
- High school diploma or GED (equivalency) and evidence of completion of an interpreter training program.
- Bachelor?s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
- Experience as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter within the past two years or Practicum (advanced level) student status in an Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP).
- Certification through Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf (RID), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA), National Interpreter Certification (NIC), and/or other national certifying bodies.
- Prior professional experience interpreting with students of varied degrees of deafness, age range, cognitive level, and related disabilities.
- Experience with technology to include web-based productivity and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or learning management systems (Canvas).
- A complete application form that includes a listing of employment locations with dates of employment and names of direct supervisors.
- All supplemental materials (i.e.: resume, letter of introduction, transcripts, certificate) required to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.