Certified Educational Sign Language Interpreter

Salary : $5,206.93 - $6,330.13 Monthly
Location : Simi Valley, CA
Job Type: Full- and Part-Time Perm
Job Number: 23-4040-1
Department: School Sites
Opening Date: 12/21/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
PURPOSE
To establish a list of eligible candidates that will be used to fill current and future vacancies (full and part-time) for the duration of the list, up to one year. The anticipated vacancy is a 10 month, part time position (6 hours/day) located at one of our school sites.
Application Deadline for this recruitment process: Applications are submitted no later than 11:59 pm. a week prior to the test. Tentatively scheduled for: The week of January 22, 2024
TESTING PROCESS:
A) Multiple Choice Test = 40% weighting on final score. Qualified applicants will be notified by email of the scheduled written test date. Applications received thereafter will be held for the next testing. Applicants will be tested on English - Language Arts, Math and Ability to Assist in Instruction.
Next Testing date: Tentatively scheduled for: during the week of: January 22, 2024
B) Structured Interview = 60% weighting on final score
Tentatively scheduled for: during the week of: January 29, 2024
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job posting by the application deadline in order to move forward in the testing process. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the multiple choice test. Those with the highest scores on the multiple choice test will be invited to the structured interview. The testing process is subject to change as needs dictate. All communication regarding this process will be delivered via email.
The information included in the Work Experience section of the application will determine whether applicants meet minimum qualifications. Please make sure you include ALL current and previous employment in the Work Experience section of the application and complete ALL fields.
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
Summary
Facilitates communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing students, or students with a cochlear implant, and teachers, staff members, and peers within an educational environment, using any of a variety of manual and verbal communication systems in a highly proficient manner reflecting the affect of the speaker and/or signer.
Distinguishing Career Features
The Certified Educational Sign Language Interpreter is a paraprofessional position that provides communication through the use of sign-to-English and English-to-sign skills. Advancement to the Certified position requires coursework and certification, and competency using manual sign systems such as American Sign Language, Conceptually Accurate Signed English, Signed Exact English, Manually Coded English, and Pidgin Signed English in a highly proficient manner for simultaneous translation.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interprets for deaf or hard-of-hearing students in a variety of educational settings, including, but not limited to, classroom lectures and activities, group discussions, assemblies, and counseling sessions, using various Sign Language systems and voice interpretation at a normal conversational rate.
• Interprets a wide range of curriculum, including scientific and advanced placement topics, lectures, educational information and all directives presented by the teacher. Confers with students, teachers and staff to develop new signs for technical subject matter.
• Provides voice interpretation for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals as needed.
• Confers, as needed, with teachers concerning student needs. Alerts teacher, resource staff or case manager to any special problems or information concerning students; may assist appropriate staff to develop individual and group educational goals and objectives. Participates in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Consults with teachers, staff, students, and parents on the effective use of an interpreter.
• Interprets at meetings, conferences, appointments and during other educational activities.
• Participates in standardizing signs used in the educational setting.
• Coordinates, prepares, facilitates and conducts in-service ASL training sessions for instructional assistants, teachers, and students. Conducts training of, and may mentor other interpreters.
• Assists and guides students by providing appropriate role modeling, emotional support, patience, and a friendly and engaging attitude. Must observe confidentiality. Must be discrete in responding to student behaviors and educational needs whenever possible.
• Assists the instructional staff in observing and controlling the behavior of students. Assists in maintaining health and safety of students by being constantly vigilant of environment and the potential hazards of student actions.
• Assists in maintaining order among students in the classroom and school grounds. Assists and supervises deaf and hard-of-hearing students in moving from place-to-place in a safe, orderly manner (i.e. school bus to classroom, classroom to restroom, lunch room, on school grounds, on field trips and co-curricular activities, to/from wheelchair, etc.), and with personal care tasks as needed.
• Administers first aid in the absence of a teacher or school nurse.
• May perform a variety of related clerical services such as preparing and maintaining charts, records, graphs and data; scoring and recording tests, preparing and storing instructional materials and equipment, copying instructional materials, operating office machines, including computer, copier and other audio-visual equipment. May assemble bulletin boards and other displays, and arrange classroom for planned activities. Assists in maintaining a neat and orderly room environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience

Requires an Associate's degree in a Sign Language Interpreter training program, deaf studies or a related area. Requires one year of experience providing sign-to-English (expressive skills) and English-to-sign (receptive skills) interpreting in one or more sign systems/languages. Additional related experience in an academic or similar environment may be substituted for some higher education based on two years of experience for one year of college. Successful completion of the district's competency exam demonstrating knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching reading, writing and mathematics (or readiness in those subject areas).
*A Bachelor's degree in deaf studies or related area is highly desirable. Incumbents hired into this classification, and who have completed (and provided proof) of this level of education will be assigned as a Certified Educational Sign Language Interpreter at salary range 116.

• Licenses and Certificates

Requires:

• By July 1, 2009 and thereafter, certified by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) OR
• Have achieved a score of 4.0 or above on the:
  • Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) OR
  • Educational Sign Skills Evaluation-Interpreter and Receptive (ESSE-I/R) OR
  • National Association of the Deaf/American Consortium of Certified Interpreters (NAD/ACCI) assessment.

Valid first aid certification.

May require a valid California driver's license.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Knowledge and Skills

The position requires: Specialized knowledge of expressive and receptive forms of Sign Language systems which may include American Sign Language, Conceptually Accurate Signed English, Signed Exact English, Manually Coded English, and Pidgin Signed English. Knowledge of interpreting strategies and techniques necessary to accommodate individual needs of students in a variety of educational settings. Knowledge of the foundational concepts of deaf culture. Knowledge of curriculum used in elementary through secondary schools. Knowledge of the National Associate of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. Sufficient human relation skills to exercise extreme patience when dealing with students and staff, and to convey technical concepts to others. Knowledge of safe practices in classroom and playground activities.

• Abilities

Requires the ability to: Interpret and communicate fluently and with high proficiency (over 80% of content) in the Sign Language system appropriate to the individual needs of the students. Assess and adjust to students' language abilities and their preferred Sign Language system. Convey information promoting the awareness of the unique needs of, and issues pertinent to, deaf or hearing-impaired persons. Express common technical and vernacular expressions used in the classroom in a clear manner. Demonstrate sensitivity to the communication process between deaf or hearing-impaired persons and the needs of the persons involved in that process. Speak and write English clearly and with proper structure. Assist teaching staff with implementation of instructional goals and activities in a classroom, small group or individual learning environment. Interact with teachers, specialists and colleagues in order to carry out assigned duties. Assist in maintaining order among students in their assigned learning environment. Relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence, recognizes and works on learning disabilities and barriers. Exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of students. Understand the principles of positive reinforcement as they apply to the management of students. Maintain confidentiality of student and school information. Learn principles and techniques of discipline and behavior modification. Learn district and state regulations, policies and objectives applicable to assigned program. Setup and maintain records; prepare documentation and reports as needed. Operate instructional and office equipment.

• Physical Abilities

Requires: ability to perform work of an active nature; well-developed arm, hand, and finger dexterity in order to perform advanced Sign Language interpretation; ability to stand for extended periods of time; visual acuity to recognize numbers and words, and detect speech patterns; hearing acuity sufficient to understand information to be interpreted in a variety of educational environments; facial dexterity to produce readable mouth movements for specific Sign Language expressions; manual dexterity to produce readable Sign Language through movement of fingers and arms; and visual acuity to see information to be voiced (such as Sign Language and facial expressions).

• Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom, office, and intermittent outdoor environments where minimal health and safety considerations exist.
Individuals protected by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) may request accommodation if needed. In order for appropriate arrangements to be made for testing, your request must be received at the time your application is submitted. If special arrangements are not requested at the time the application is submitted, it is understood that no special accommodations are required. Documentation on the need for accommodation must accompany your request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Simi Valley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all applicants for employment. The application, examination, and selection process shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital, pregnancy, or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Salary: Five step salary range that provides annual increases of approximately five percent until the fifth step is reached. New hire initial step placement (normally up to Step 3) based on qualifying education and experience as outlined in Merit System Rule 7.20.1. An employee who is promoted to a higher class shall be placed on the step of the new salary range that is at least five percent above the current rate, excluding any differential pay.
Vacation: Earned based on assigned hours. Increased vacation allowance based on years of service with the district. Confidential employees receive an additional 3 days vacation allotment, up to a maximum of 22 days. Management employees receive 22 days of vacation (based on 12-month assignment).
Sick Leave: Earned at the rate of one day (based on the number of assigned hours) per month, and is accumulative from year to year.
Holidays: Fourteen paid holidays per year (based on 12-month assignment).
Insurance and Credit Union: The District offers a competitive Health and Welfare plan for employees and dependents, based upon the number of hours worked; employees who are placed in a regular assignment of 20 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits. The Ventura Schools Federal Credit Union offers a variety of services.
Retirement: Employees are covered by Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Social Security and Medicare. Contributions are made by both the employee and employer. Click to visit website.
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This position requires higher education in a Sign Language Interpreter training program, deaf studies or a related area. Do you have higher education in a Sign Language Interpreter training program, deaf studies or a related area?

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