Position Title:

Sign Language Interpreter, Advanced

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Salary Grade, if non-union:

Pay Grade, if union:

Teacher Salary Schedule

Non-Union or Specific Collective Bargaining Agreement:

Teacher's Union

Our Mission:

The mission of Polk County Public Schools is to provide a high quality education for all students.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to the position. This job description is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. Other duties may be assigned which are not listed. Additionally, when duties and responsibilities of this job change, this job description will be reviewed and updated, subject to changes and business necessity.

Custom Job Purpose:

This position exists to perform specialized work in assisting with sign language interpreter services for schools. As a member of the educational team, the interpreter facilitates effective communication between the deaf or hard of hearing student, classroom teacher, hearing students and other personnel in the school system and provides an accurate interpretation according to the language level of the student and the goals specified on the student#s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Essential Functions of this Job

Facilitate communication between deaf or hard of hearing students, teachers, staff or other students using specialized knowledge and skills to ensure effective cross-cultural communication accurately and impartially.

Provide communication access across all educational environments to students who are deaf or hard of hearing including formal instruction, classroom discussions, social interactions, guidance and counselling sessions, speech therapy and other related services, presentations and guest speakers, assemblies, field trips, extracurricular activities, club meetings and summer programs.

Prepare for the interpretation by reviewing the teacher#s goals, becoming familiar with the vocabulary and sign concepts, analyzing discourse and reviewing classroom videos and other media.

Provide effective interpreting services using the appropriate modality and language level for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Consistently monitor the student#s comprehension of the interpreted material and modify the interpretation as needed for clarity.

Make appropriate use of affect, body language and facial grammar to clearly convey all aspects of meaning, content and classroom discussions. Make vital connections to literacy using fingerspelling.

Guard against the development of inappropriate dependence in the student/interpreter relationship. Promote age-appropriate self-advocacy and independence.

Collaborate with the classroom teacher(s) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher to discuss student progress and access to communication.

Participate in IEP meetings and support the goals of the IEP and the individual goals of the teacher(s).

Adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NAD-RID) Code of Professional Conduct for Sign Language Interpreters and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Guidelines of Professional Conduct for Educational Interpreters.

Non-Essential Functions of this Job

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge and use of American Sign Language, extensive sign language vocabulary.

Proficiency in interpreting and transliterating in both expressive and receptive interpretation.

Extensive knowledge of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NAD-RID) Code of Professional Conduct for Sign Language Interpreters and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Guidelines of Professional Conduct for Educational Interpreters.

Use English effectively to communicate verbally and in written form.

Demonstrate high level of professionalism.

Ability to understand and use a variety of communication modes.

Knowledge of the implications of hearing loss and its potential impact on a student#s comprehension of English.

Demonstrate the ability to interpret/transliterate in a variety of educational settings.

Demonstrate knowledge of Deaf Culture.

Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of educational interpreters in K-12 public schools.

Knowledge of basic principles and common terms used in the physical sciences, including mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, computer science and other courses found in the K-12 curriculum.

Sufficient logical thinking or problem solving ability.

Education, Experience and/or Certification/License Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and hold a level 3.5 - 5.0 Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a passing score on the EIPA knowledge exam or National Certification. Minimum of National Certification or EIPA 4.0 - 5.0 is preferred.

Work Context:

Requires sitting and some standing, walking and moving about to coordinate work. Requires face-to-face discussions and contact with individuals and/or teams. Requires the use of alternative communication systems, such as electronic mail, telephones and computers. Requires coordination of work tasks to establish priorities, set goals and meet deadlines. Requires work with students,teachers and staff, internal and external contacts, and with the public.

Physical Environment:

Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. Requires sitting for the majority of the day, and the ability to lift, carry, move and/or position objects frequently weighing up to 20 pounds, and infrequently weighing 40 pounds or more, with help as necessary.

Local Code:

10403

EEO5:

43

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, services, activities or employment.