What are the responsibilities and job description for the Educational Interpreter - Sign Language position at Pittsburgh Public Schools?
**JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY**
The **Sign Language Educational Interpreter** is directly supervised by the **Program Officer for Related Services **and is responsible for providing services to students in grades K-12 in various schools throughout the district.
**WORK MONTHS**
10
**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**
Associate's Degree program in interpreter education/preparation
**CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE REQUIRED**
Three (3) years of paid experience as an educational interpreter
**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES**
*The working conditions and physical requirements described here are representative of, but not limited to, those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made. *
Physical Demand: This position is primarily sedentary in nature. Employee will be required to operate computer system for data entry and have the ability to complete necessary paperwork. This position requires minimum physical effort and not subjected to Occupational Health and Safety risks.
Physical Requirements
LIGHT- Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
**APPLICANT ELIGIBILE CRITERIA**
External applicants and internal non-school-based professional employees who are properly certified are eligible to apply for this position. This job posting is **not** a component of the School-Based Professional Internal Transfer Season. Current Pittsburgh Public School employees who are school-based professionals (teachers, librarian, counselors, social workers, etc.) are not eligible to apply to this position.
**CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT**
This position does not have a residency requirement.
The **Sign Language Educational Interpreter** is directly supervised by the **Program Officer for Related Services **and is responsible for providing services to students in grades K-12 in various schools throughout the district.
**WORK MONTHS**
10
**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**
- This position is primarily responsible for providing sign language interpreting for "signing" hard of hearing or deaf students.
- Using American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, and Voice Interpreting, this position facilitates communication between deaf/hard of hearing students and their teachers, their hearing peers, and other personnel within the school by relaying information to and from the deaf/hard of hearing student.
- This position also confers and consults with regular and special education staff regarding deaf/hard of hearing students' needs and progress; reviews and studies curriculum material, participates in staff development, serves as the interpreter for both deaf/hard of hearing students and their parents at meetings and special events.
- This position requires demonstrated patience and the ability to relate to students, parents, and teachers in a manner that develops student confidence in benefiting from the educational process.
- This position requires basic content knowledge in English, reading, spelling and mathematics.
- Requires a demonstrated desire to assist and work with students who are deaf and hearing impaired as well as their hearing peers, teachers, parents and staff members.
- This position requires the ability to understand and adjust to changes in the educational environment.
- Responsible for providing sign language interpreting for "signing" hard of hearing or deaf students using American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, and Voice Interpreting.
- The Interpreter will facilitate communication between deaf/hard of hearing students and their teachers, their hearing peers, and other personnel with the school by relaying information to and from the deaf/hard of hearing student.
- Under the monitoring of the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, responsible for providing signs/ sign concepts in a sign journal that goes back and forth to the student's home for parents/guardians and the student to learning and practice.
- When not with the student, the Interpreter Aide may be asked to help with classroom/program necessities such as bulletin boards, copying materials (such as worksheets for IEPs), updating and/or providing information to the IEP team regarding the education of the student, and other school duties such as recess or lunch duty.
- Acts as an integral part of the IEP team by working with all staff involved in educating the student including acting as a liaison between the regular education teacher and the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
- Demonstrates the ability to express the requirements of the educational program to the student and the needs of the student to the teacher.
- Demonstrates knowledge of and operates classroom equipment and augmented technology and equipment.
- Works cooperatively as a member of the educational team and the IEP team.
- Participates in educational team meetings, IEP meetings, etc., to provide information related to the student's ability to communicate, communication skills, and communication needs.
- Provides physical assistance to the student as needed.
- Communicates effectively (orally and in writing) with administrators, staff, students and the public.
- Is able to speak and write in a clear and concise manner.
- Operates office equipment, including but not limited to, fax machine, copiers, computers, telephones, intercom systems, etc.
- Maintains confidentiality of all business related information.
- Requires the completion of 20 hours of professional development and interpreter workshop certificates.
- Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor in support of the department's or school's goals and objectives and the District's mission and Superintendent's Priority Goals
Associate's Degree program in interpreter education/preparation
**CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE REQUIRED**
- Sign Language Interpreter from the Registry of Interpreters for Deaf, Inc
- Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) report issued under the auspices of the Education Interpreter Training Project.
Three (3) years of paid experience as an educational interpreter
**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES**
- Evidence of a score of 3.5 of better on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), or provide evidence as a qualified Sign Language Interpreter or Transliterator under the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator Registration Act (63 P.S. 1725.1-1725.12).
- An assessment is not required for this position
- Enthusiastic about the fundamental goal of advancing student achievement in an urban public school district.
- Value, demonstrate, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
*The working conditions and physical requirements described here are representative of, but not limited to, those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made. *
Physical Demand: This position is primarily sedentary in nature. Employee will be required to operate computer system for data entry and have the ability to complete necessary paperwork. This position requires minimum physical effort and not subjected to Occupational Health and Safety risks.
Physical Requirements
LIGHT- Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
**APPLICANT ELIGIBILE CRITERIA**
External applicants and internal non-school-based professional employees who are properly certified are eligible to apply for this position. This job posting is **not** a component of the School-Based Professional Internal Transfer Season. Current Pittsburgh Public School employees who are school-based professionals (teachers, librarian, counselors, social workers, etc.) are not eligible to apply to this position.
**CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT**
This position does not have a residency requirement.
