Language Specialist Jobs in Iowa

TITLE: Sign Language Interpreter

CLASSIFICATION: PARA

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Valid Iowa Department of Health Interpreting license
• Successful experience or competency working in a culturally diverse educational environment

Desired:

• Two-year (or more) interpreter training program and/or experience involving extensive contact with the deaf and hard of hearing community.
• AA degree in interpreting or Bachelor’s Degree in an area
• Educational interpreting experience with DHH children

JOB SUMMARY:

Interpret between spoken English and ASL at a fluent rate. The essential functions as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the student services department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for interpreting all information presented in a classroom or building situation, including lectures, announcements, discussions, assemblies, etc.
• Attend staffing meeting and IEP meetings when appropriate to address communication needs and classroom observations of specific student(s).
• Participate as part of the IEP instructional team and work collaboratively with other team members.
• Report concerns to the appropriate individual.
• Interpret as delineated by the student’s IEP, using the district’s communication policy as a guide.
• Direct student to ask questions to the teacher.
• Arrive at class on time and remain in the instructional setting with the deaf student(s) even during tests or independent work until the class is over or scheduled time ends.
• Interpret for school-sponsored functions outside of the classroom during regularly scheduled school hours (Exceptions: non-school sponsored events).
• Maintain confidentiality by discussing assignments only with classroom teachers, lead interpreter, IEP team members, or administrators directly responsible for the educational program of the deaf student on a need-to-know basis.
• Confer and plan with classroom teachers and TDHHs in order to be prepared for interpreting; prepare for interpreting by accessing curriculum content ahead of time.
• Seek professional development opportunities and attend district sponsored PD opportunities as appropriate.
• Attend all sign language interpreter professional development sessions provided by the district/AEA.
• Assist with classroom adaptations when appropriate, as determined by the IEP, staffing team, or in consultation with deaf education personnel.
• Provide sign language instruction in mainstream classes if requested - Serve as liaison to promote rapport between general education and deaf education classrooms, deaf and hearing students, the school and deaf community.
• Interpret for deaf adults, when appropriate.
• Provide supervision for students outside the classroom setting.
• When not interpreting, accept other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the lead interpreter, building principal, program coordinator, or D/HH teacher. This could include, but is not limited to: tutoring, facilitating language development, etc.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position):

• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.
• Assist with other duties as may be assigned.

DEPARTMENT: Student and Family Services

REPORTS TO: Deaf Education Coordinator

HIGHEST LEVEL SUPERVISED: N/A

BARGAINING GROUP: DMEA

FLSA STATUS: No-Exempt

CALENDAR: 190 day

Physical Requirements: Frequent: Standing, Sitting. Occasional: Walking, Bending/Stooping, Reaching/Pushing/Pulling, Climbing/Stairs, Driving. Manual Dexterity Tasks: Computer- Occasional, Other – Frequent.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions, concerns or a complaint related to this policy, please contact Carol Wynn-Green, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org. Complaints can also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, (515) 281-4121, or Region VII Office for Civil Rights, Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544.

Employee Benefits Information

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

Approved By: MN

Date: 04/22/2021