American Sign Language Interpreter

Ponca City is needing an American Sign Language interpreter.

Date: November 23 ,2021

Reports to: Assigned Teacher, Building Principal, Director of Special Services

Supervises: N/A

Qualifications: High School Diploma or Equivalent Associates Degree or Higher OR 48 Hours College Credit OR Passing Score on Paraprofessional Test AND An interpreter training program OR Obtained a Bachelor's degree, OR Worked three or more years in an area related to the field of deaf education, which could include interpreting in non-educational settings, such as a church, etc., AND In addition to the above requirements, an educational interpreter must also maintain one of the following: Certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), or National Association for the Deaf (NAD) Level IV or better, or Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST) Level III or better, or Educational Interpreters Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) 3.5 or better in the area for which they are certified (elementary or secondary) or Educational Signs Skills Evaluation (ESSE) Level 3.5 or better Valid Driver’s License

Job Goal: Interprets for the hearing impaired student mainstreamed into the regular classroom to support academic success.

Employment Terms: 169 Days, 6.75 Hours/day, Exclusive of a Lunch

FLSA Classification: Nonexempt

Evaluation: Annually by Site Principal

Physical Demands: This is an overview intended for compliance with the ADA – it is not an exhaustive list of the duties to be performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of a specific position.

Regular Requirements: Stand for extended periods; walk; twist at the neck and trunk; bend and reach with hands and arms overhead, above shoulder and horizontally; repetitive use of fingers and hands to grasp and/or operate equipment and demonstrate lessons to students; lift/move up to 50 pounds

Occasional Requirements: Lift/move up to 100 pounds

Visual Requirements: Close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, ability to adjust focus

Hearing/Speaking Requirements: Adequate to exchange information

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interprets into sign language any communication being voiced in the classroom from instructors, presenters, other students, and etc. to the hearing impaired student.
• Voices (speak orally) any communication in sign language from the hearing impaired student directed to any hearing individuals (teacher, students, etc.) present.
• Performs the same interpreting services as described above in assemblies, on field trips and in labs, arranging (in advance if necessary) appropriate placement of student, lighting, etc. in order to facilitate communication and allow the student adequate visual input from the speaker and any visuals, charts, and etc. as well as the signing of any accompanying oral communication.
• Performs tutoring services, as time in the classroom permits, to help explain new concepts presented or basic concepts on which the new material is being based.
• Attends Parent-Teacher Conference days.
• Sits in on conferences and/or IEP meetings if requested and offers input.
• Functions as an educator to those working with the hearing impaired student in order to promote deaf awareness and understanding of the nature of deafness/hearing impairments, the particular needs that arise due to hearing loss and the role of an interpreter.
• Acts as liaison to help coordinate communication between the regular classroom teacher and the deaf education teacher.
• Performs all other tasks as supervisor may assign.