Special Education Sign Language Interpreter

LOCATION: Harmony Elementary

REPORTS TO: Special Education Instructor/Building Principal

DEPARTMENT: Special Services

Hours / Work Times 

6 Hours Per Day (7:55 a.m. - 2:25 p.m. includes 30 minute unpaid lunch)

3.83 Hours on Early-Release Days (7:55 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. includes 30 minute unpaid time)

190 days per year (180 student days/10 holidays)

This position will remain open until a qualified applicant is selected. The earliest date a recommendation for hire may be submitted is after 08/15/2023.

Must meet Paraeducator Employment Requirements as follows*:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; AND
2. Must meet one or more of the following:

• Have received a passing score of 455 or higher on the Education Testing Service ParaPro Assessment (ETS test/PRAXIS); or
• Hold an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
• Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
• Have completed a Paraeducator Apprenticeship Program (program must be registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council).

*If you do not meet the required qualifications listed above, your name will be screened out from the list of qualified candidates.

Upon hire, new paraeducators will be required to complete state required training offered through Evergreen School District.

Position Status: Student Support 

Position Duration: Permanent

Classification Group: Professional Technicians (PSE) Class VII

**Click this link to find the salary schedule associated with this position PSE Large Group Salary Schedule

Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) offers the following to eligible employees who work at least 630 hours in a school year:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic long-term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance through School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). For additional information click EPS Benefits Information.
• Employees may also be eligible to participate in FSA, DCAP, HSA, FPFSA (w/HDHP), and other supplemental benefits.

Employees may be eligible for employer-employee funded retirement benefits through Department of Retirement Services (DRS).

EPS offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, religious, and bereavement leave. Additional negotiated leave options can be found in the associated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for this position PSE Large Group CBA.

We appreciate your interest in employment with Evergreen Public Schools. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation including fingerprints Click here for Fingerprinting Services.

Failure to submit a full application package will result in disqualification.

External applicants must include official transcripts (upon hire) to confirm education or ETS ParaPro Assessment results with application.

STANCE STATEMENT:

Evergreen Public Schools are committed to eliminating the predictability of outcomes by demographic group and we strive to be a diverse community of schools that provides each member with the opportunities, access, resources, and support they need to be successful. With this in mind, our goal is to recruit, hire and retain employees of all racial/ethnic backgrounds who will bring their unique talents and skills into our educational institution to encourage students to thrive academically. Our district aims to provide an equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for all students and staff to succeed in a racially and culturally diverse local, national and global community.

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Under the supervision of the program instructor(s) and/or the Program Administrator, the Sign Language Interpreter for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program will assist in the supervision of instructional and all other activities by interpreting and tutoring for the deaf/hard of hearing students on an individual as well as a small group basis.

*Indicates Washington State Core Competencies for Paraeducators for each essential function and qualification.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist the program instructor(s) in supervising and working with elementary or secondary students as follows:

• Communicate effectively with students, staff, and the general public. (*5)
• Transliterates and/or interprets information accurately in a manner appropriate to the student's communication level. (*10)
• Assist in instructional and all other activities by transliterating and/or interpreting and tutoring on a one-to-one basis as well as on a group basis. (*9)
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a learning environment as specified by course goals and curriculum outcomes. (*10)
• Assist in evaluating and specifying direction of instruction so as to maximize each student's potential. (*9-10-11)
• Maintain accurate data on student progress. (*9)
• Implement behavioral management strategies using the emphasis and techniques that have been outlined by the instructor. (*6)
• Assist the program instructor(s) in explaining technical assistance needs for interpreting, i.e. lighting, visual aids, positioning, time, length, and difficulties in changing languages. (*10)
• Attend inservices and workshops in order to keep current with issues relating to the deaf culture.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform other related duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS REQUIRED:

MENTAL DEMANDS REQUIRED:

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY:

Computer, Telephone, TDD, Relay Service, and all other tools and equipment necessary to perform the essential functions as listed above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must meet Washington State Requirements for Sign Language Interpreters in Educational Settings; Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a minimum score of 3.5 AND Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) - Written Test - passing score; OR Interpreting Certificate (NIC) with RID certification AND Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) - Written Test - passing score.
2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents. (*5)
3. Previous knowledge and background in working with students and educational techniques preferred. (*1-3)
4. Must possess personal characteristics of flexibility, initiative, cooperativeness, and confidentiality. (*5)
5. Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to follow through. (*3)
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate by telephone, TDD, and Relay Service. (*13)
7. Must be willing to participate in activities, inservices, and skill building workshops to improve knowledge in transliterating/interpreting in the educational process, and issues relating to the deaf culture.
8. Demonstrated ability to encourage independence in students in order to avoid inappropriate dependence on the student/interpreter relationship. (*11-12)
9. Demonstrated ability to work under conditions of constant interruption.
10. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. (*4)
11. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others as part of a team. (*5)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:

1. Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
2. Supports a positive school environment that celebrates, respects and values diversity, where learning is made relevant and meaningful to students of various cultures.
3. Participates in activities and discussions that lead to increased cultural competence.
4. Demonstrates a commitment to equitable outcomes for all students.
5. Ability to recognize each person as a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
6. The ability and desire to establish positive relationships with persons regardless of race, gender, physical limitation, sexual orientation or religious belief, with an active commitment to equal opportunity for all persons.

Notice of Nondiscrimination:

Evergreen Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, 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 Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: