POSITION TITLE: Special Education Interpreter (Paraprofessional)

FLSA: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Directors of Special Education and Building Principal

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: A full contract for this position is 190 days, with benefits as specified in employee contract. Contract will be prorated based on actual start date. 

BEGINNING: August 7, 2023

LOCATION: Special Education (Service Center)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must hold and maintain a valid interpreter's license issued by the ADH.
• Must also hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have at least a score on the EIPA or QAST 3/3 (transliterating/interpreting). 

DISTRICT VALUES

• We will always put student needs first.
• We believe relationships matter.
• We expect accountability.
• We operate with transparency.
• We prioritize student and staff safety.                      

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide sign to voice/voice to sign interpreting which may include American Sign Language, a form of manually coded English, and/or oral interpreting depending on the needs of the student.
• Take reasonable caution to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintain accurate, complete records as required by law, District policy, and  administrative regulations;
• Assist administration in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Participate in educational team meetings providing insight on the success of communication strategies as determined by administration.
• Ability to be physically active all day with children in doors and outdoors.
• Provide interpreting for extracurricular activities and parent meetings
• Exhibit effective communication with parents. 
• Provide assistance with orientations to deafness, proper use of interpreting services to hearing students and staff, and/or other inservice training. 
• Consult with the supervisor and classroom teachers on a regular basis.
• Notify immediately appropriate personnel of any evidence of substance abuse, child abuse, child neglect, severe medical conditions.
• Provide tutoring and/or note taking and other support services (such as photocopying, typing, record keeping, etc.) when necessary and interpreting is not needed.
• Display ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school personnel, and outside agencies associated with the school.
• Additional Related Duties/Responsibilities.
• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL), Signed Exact English (SEE Sign), and/or other sign systems.
• Knowledge of the Code of Ethics prepared by the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in communicating with deaf and hard of hearing persons.
• Knowledge of technical signs and/or vocabulary used in educational settings.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to Interpret spoken English at a rate appropriate for expected job performance.
• Ability to voice for deaf and hard of hearing persons.
• Ability to interpret or translate for a group of deaf and hard of hearing persons.
• Understand and use proper English, including vocabulary and grammar
• Understand and be able to translate academic language to the cognitive level of the student
• Function as a member of the educational team performing support activities as required
• Maintain professional conduct at all times
• Abide by state statutes, school board policies and regulations.
• Attend meetings and performs duties as assigned by administrators or supervisors.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.
• Remain current on instructional practices in Sign Language Interpretation.
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance 
• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Present and communicate in a professional manner.
• Attend trainings as required.
• Assist hearing impaired students in before/after school hours activities.
• Other duties as assigned by administration.

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must have the ability to lift at least 40 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to endure prolonged standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, occasional reaching above the head or the shoulders, bending, squatting.

See Classified Staff Salary Schedule   

For our salary schedule, click this link to visit our district website.

If seeing this posting on a job site, please apply here

https://fortsmithschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx if interested.