What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Interpreter position at Northshore School District 417?
Thank you for your interest in a career with us! The Northshore School District is committed to a diverse workforce that reflects our students and our community, one that embraces and models equity and cultural competency.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the supervision of a Northshore School District (NSD) staff member, provide interpretation services to NSD parents and guardians for whom English is not their primary language. Interpreting service opportunities usually consist of (but are not limited to): conferences, meetings related to student’s education, parent/teacher conversations, discipline meetings, and community events. Interpreting may include consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, and/or sight translation, and may take place in person or virtually.
This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in consultation with the employee(s) involved.
- Facilitates communication between parents/guardians for whom English is not their primary language and English-speaking school district employees at meetings or events individually or in groups (e.g. parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, curriculum nights, discipline meetings, etc.). Such facilitation may occur both during the school day and also occasionally during school and after school events, such as IEP meetings.
- Follows the NAETISL Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages, the AAITE National Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, as well as legal requirements of confidentiality.
- Interprets inquiries received from parents/guardian for whom English is not their primary language for the purpose of providing information or referring to appropriate personnel.
- Attends required interpreter training provided by the district.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
All applicants will undergo and pass language proficiency testing prior to being selected for an interview as part of the hiring process. Northshore School District will pay for one test attempt. This testing may be waived if an applicant already holds a valid, approved interpreting or translating credential or if they have satisfactory language proficiency testing results from an approved vendor within the past five years.
To interpret for NSD, an individual must meet the following standards in speaking and listening.
For general interpretation:
Advanced Low or above on the ACTFL scale
B2.1 or above on the CEFR scale
2 or above on the ILR scale
A score of 7 or higher on the AVANT Stamp Pro assessment
For special education, discipline, or health interpretation:
Advanced High or above on the ACTFL scale
C1 or above on the CEFR scale
3 or above on the ILR scale
A score of 9 on the Avant Stamp Pro assessment
Acceptable interpreting or translating credentials include but are not limited to:
DSHS
Federal court interpreter
State court interpreter
CCHI
RID
ATA
NBCMI
Note: credentials that test speaking AND writing may qualify an applicant to interpret and translate, but if a candidate holds a translation credential that does not test spoken language proficiency, they will still need to complete speaking and listening testing to interpret, and vice versa for interpreting credentials.
Acceptable language testing providers include but are not limited to:
- ALTA
- Avant (specifically the Stamp Pro assessment)
- LTI
- Cyracom
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Requires Speaking and Listening proficiency in both English and at least one additional target language.
- Desired languages include but are not limited to: Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Tigrigna, Korean, and Thai
- Requires the ability to accurately transfer information from one language to another
- Requires experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds
- A BA/BS and familiarity with or experience working with a K-12 educational system is desired, but not required.
- A valid interpretation credential is desired, but not required. Acceptable credentials include but are not limited to DSHS, state court interpreting credential, federal court interpreting credential, CCHI, and NBCMI.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to interpret well for parents/guardians with limited English proficiency; ability to interact with multilingual families in a respectful, warm and understanding manner; ability to consistently follow the directions of the Language Access Coordinator and Executive Director of Communications and Engagement; ability to work cooperatively with other District staff, students, and parents; ability to orally interpret written documents; ability to remain neutral in meetings and interpret everything said to all participants; ability to commit to scheduled meetings and attend consistently and on-time once committed; knowledge of the role of an interpreter in educational settings; knowledge of language access requirements; knowledge of codes of ethics and standards of practice for interpreters; and willingness to attend additional training as directed.
Licenses/Special Requirements
Willingness to attend additional training as directed.
Salary: $35.00 per hour. Salary is based upon the current Non-Represented Employee Salary Schedule; FLSA Non-Exempt;
Non-Represented position.
Work Year: On call. Hours and days will vary. 260 days per year.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Works on-call
Employees currently under contract may not exceed 40 hours of work per week without prior written approval from their supervisor or designated manager. Any hours worked beyond this limit without approval will not be authorized and may be subject to disciplinary action
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Language Access Coordinator
Benefits: Washington state health insurance coverage (SEBB) and a Washington state retirement package, for eligible positions. Generally, you are eligible for SEBB benefits if you are anticipated to work at least 630 hours per school year (September 1 through August 31).
The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) benefits include:
- Medical plans with prescription benefits
- Dental plans
- Vision plans
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement
- Dependent Care Assistance Program
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Complete an online application.
- Attach a cover letter and resume.
- Enter 3 professional references, including their name, working relationship to you, phone number, and email address. Confidential Reference Forms are automatically emailed via the application system.
- Optional – letters of recommendation, transcripts, certificates, etc.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks with prior employers and/or character references; satisfactory outcome of a criminal history background check (includes fingerprinting); satisfactory outcome of sexual misconduct information from prior school district employers; and approval by the Northshore School Board.
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