Reports to: Campus Administrator and Supervisor of Denton Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt
Dept./School: Assigned Campus
Pay Family: Specialized Pay
PC Assignment: Deaf Ed Inter I (Basic)
Hourly Rate: $40.00
PC Assignment Code: 73703
Duty Days: 187 days per school year
This position is funded through tuition and state allotment revenue, and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of those funds.
Primary Purpose:
Facilitate communication for students who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreting and transliterating services in educational settings. Support student learning and engagement by adapting to individual communication needs and assisting with classroom activities as directed.
Qualifications:
Education and Certification
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current certification awarded by the Board of Evaluation of Interpreters, or evidence that certification is in process, according to Texas Education Code (TEC) 21.002, 21.003, and 29.304
or
- Associate degree or better from an accredited college or university, preferably in a related field
- Current certification awarded by the Board of Evaluation of Interpreters, or evidence that certification is in process, according to Texas Education Code (TEC) 21.002, 21.003, and 29.304
Experience
- Thirty (30) hours of educational interpreting observation experience, preferably in a public K-12 setting
- One (1) year of interpreting experience (preferred)
Knowledge and Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of professional guidelines for sign language interpreters in education
- Comprehensive knowledge of the code of ethics for sign language interpreters in education
- Comprehensive knowledge of language deprivation and its effect on K-12 interpreting
- Ability to interpret from spoken English into ASL
- Ability to interpret from ASL into spoken English
- Ability to transliterate from spoken English into signed English
- Ability to read written English documents and translate them into ASL
- Ability to speak effectively in front of classrooms or crowds when needed
- Ability to read and write routine reports and electronic correspondence
- Proficient skill in keyboarding and Google Workspace
Key Responsibilities:
Interpretation & Communication Support
- Provide interpretation and transliteration services using signed and spoken communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in educational settings, including classroom, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities, school-related programs and meetings, and other situations. Assess student needs and the interpreting situation before and during assignments and adjust as needed
- Prepare for classroom subject matter by proactively communicating with the teacher and/or content area/grade level team and researching or studying before the assignment
- Interpret or transliterate in the mode that reflects the student’s language use, as outlined in the student’s IEP
Student & Instructional Support
- Work with the classroom teacher to adapt classroom/school activities to promote the meaningful participation of students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH)
- Model social strategies to encourage interaction between students who are DHH and others
- Ensure incidental information (i.e., peer interactions, announcements, and unfamiliar concepts) is interpreted
- Assist instructional staff in implementing a student’s Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
Professional Responsibilities & Compliance
- Exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential information
- Collect and record data on student progress on academic and functional IEP goals using criteria developed by the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee
- Attend any district-required professional development as determined by the RDSPD Supervisor
- Maintain state licensure annually and submit proof to the Lead Interpreter
- Complete the necessary 100 hours of professional development to acquire 10.0 CEUs every 5 years; Submit proof of certification renewal to the Lead Interpreter
Additional Responsibilities:
- Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures
- Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned
- Perform additional duties assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and campus
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; hearing aids, assisted listening devices
Posture: Moderate standing; occasional kneeling, squatting, bending, and stooping
Motion: Repetitive hand motions; moderate walking
Lifting: Frequent light lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; occasional district-wide and statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.