Sign Language Interpreter (ASL)

Brief Overview:

An Educational Sign Language Interpreter is a qualified interpreter who is able to provide communication access to students, teachers and staff in

settings requiring sign language, both receptively and expressively in a preK-12 public school setting.

WV Board Policy 2419 recognizes interveners as a specially trained person who works consistently one-to-one with a student who is deafblind. The

intervener facilitates access to the environmental information that is usually gained through vision and hearing but which is incomplete to the child

who is deafblind. The intervener helps the student gather information, learn concepts and skills and develop communication and language.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

Responsible for providing communication access through sign language in a wide range of instructional and extra-curricular activities within an educational program. Since deafblindness is primarily a disability of access, the student will require extensive and novel modifications to the existing educational model. The student must have continual access to information that is otherwise not available, in order to provide equal access. The intervener serves as a bridge to the world for student who is deafblind, which allows the student to develop a sense of trust and security that will enable them to learn.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work under the direction and supervision of the teacher to whom assigned.

• Interpret for students utilizing the students preferred mode of communications.

• Provide interpreting during the school day in academic and non-academic settings.

• Confer with educators to plan for interpreting.

• Demonstrate and understand the educational process of interpreting by receiving training specific to job needs

• To assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing and perform other related duties which benefit the students.

• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with individuals unfamiliar with the educational setting.

• Interpret auditory and signed information which includes environmental sounds, teacher instruction, student questions, and peer

communication as described in Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters.

• Attend student's IEP Team meeting in order to provide information about the student's communication abilities and needs.

• Serve as a member of the educational team to provide direct support to students with deafblindness as indicated in the students'

Individualized Educational Plan

• Work effectively in close physical proximity to students who are primarily visual and tactile learners.

• Become proficient in the assigned student's communication methods and strategies.

• Assist staff in teaching academics, daily living and social skills

• Accompany and support the student during community-based instruction.

• Create activities and experiences to complement instructional program and IEP goals

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have a Bachelors Degree and meet the requirements for a WVDE Paraprofessional Certificate: Educational Sign Language Interpreter I or II. This includes the ability to qualify for the WV Paraprofessional Certificate, a score of at least 3.0 on the Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) for Interpreter I certification or 3.5 and pass the EIPA Written Performance Assessment for Interpreter II certification. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

• DHH or ASL Certification or equivalent

• Applicant must be able to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary and must have knowledge of deafness and deaf culture. The interpreter must have knowledge of hearing loss and

other conditions and their effect on early development of language. An interpreter should have knowledge of speech, motor, adaptive skills and social-emotional development of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing.

• Applicant must be willing to participate and complete ongoing, approved training in the area of deafblindness. Support for the training may be provided by WV SenseAbilities Project. The intervener must be knowledgeable in a variety of techniques to be used to support a student with combined vision and hearing losses to make progress in the general curriculum as much as possible.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Interpreters shall accept the same responsibility and authority as other members of the educational staff. They will abide by and enforce federal, state, school district, and individual school laws and rules.

• Interpreters shall provide communication access in the wide range of instructional activities within the educational program.

• Interpreters shall interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively using any necessary specialized

Benefits

At Amergis, we firmly believe that our employees are the heartbeat of our organization and we are happy to offer the following benefits:

• Competitive pay & weekly paychecks

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) savings plan

• Awards and recognition programs

*Benefit eligibility is dependent on employment status.

About Amergis

Amergis, formerly known as Maxim Healthcare Staffing, has served our clients and communities by connecting people to the work that matters since 1988. We provide meaningful opportunities to our extensive network of healthcare and school-based professionals, ready to work in any hospital, government facility, or school. Through partnership and innovation, Amergis creates unmatched staffing experiences to deliver the best workforce solutions.

Amergis is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.