Lead Interpreter, Sign Language

Job Title:Lead Sign Language Interpreter

Location:Beveridge Magnet 1616 South 120th Street Omaha NE 68144

Reports To:Building Principal

Work Schedule/FLSA Status:185 duty days 7.5 hours per day 10 Month/ Non- exempt

Salary Schedule:Per negotiated agreement

Position Purpose:The Lead Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) provides interpreting and other support services to deaf and hard of hearing students. The SLIs primary function is to facilitate communication with peers the classroom teacher and other personnel in the school. Interpreting may include tutoring and participation in meetings as a member of the educational team. The Lead SLI will also work directly with the District Special Education Teaching and Learning Consultant to coordinate SLI substitute and extra-curricular activities coverage.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• The lead will collaborate directly with the District Special Education Teaching and Learning Consultant to coordinate SLI substitute coverage and schedules for extra-curricular activities coverage.
• The lead will collaborate with the District Special Education Teaching and Learning Consultant to maintain a record of the substitute coverage for SLI absences.
• The lead may collaborate on SLI schedules with the Deaf Hard of Hearing teachers if needed.
• The Sign Language Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services to deaf and hard of hearing students in the school district.
• The SLIs primary function is to facilitate communication with peers the classroom teacher and other personnel in the school.
• Interpreting may include tutoring and participation in meetings as a member of the educational team.
• Meet professional development requirements as defined in Nebraska State Statute Rule 51
• Facilitate communication between hearing individuals and deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Reinforce skills presented by the teacher.
• Provide tutoring for deaf and hard of hearing students when necessary and interpreting is not required and not during plan time.
• Provide interpreting/transliterating for parent meetings during the duty day.
• Assist in providing orientations about deafness and the use of sign language to hearing students and staff in collaboration with the Deaf Hard of Hearing Teacher if needed (i.e.: beginning of the school year new staff to building).
• Assist in implementing classroom adaptations when appropriate as determined by the IEP educational team or in consultation with special education personnel.
• Provide general classroom assistance in general education or special education classrooms or occasional sign language instruction in mainstream classrooms when not scheduled to interpret not during plan time.
• Work with audiologists and special educators to insure functional status and use of devices for deaf/hard of hearing.
• Accept other responsibilities and duties as assigned by teacher administrator supervisor or Lead EI/T when not engaged in interpreting.
• Dedication to providing competent interpreting services.
• Willingness to adhere to the Omaha Public Schools EI/T Code of Ethics.
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with students staff and parents.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of an Associates degree in Sign Language Interpreting
• Candidate must receive a passing score on the EIPA written exam and attain and maintain one or more of the following competency levels as defined in Nebraska State Statute Rule 51:
• EIPA-4.0 or above
• Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf Certification (RID)
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD)- Competency level 4.0 or above
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
• Quality Assurance Screening Test (QAST)-Competency level 4.0
• Excellent attendance record.
• This individual will exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students staff parents and the community.
• Skill in organization time management communication and positive interpersonal skills.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Knowledge of OPSs mission purpose goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Additional Duties:Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers copiers scanners and fax machine. Must always comply with OPSs guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:Limited travel between schools as appropriate.

Physical and Mental Demands Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization time management communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exemplary attendance.
• Ability to work the required number of hours. Hours will include evening and weekend.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to work within the local community/neighborhood as appropriate.
• Work in standard office and school building environment.
• Exemplary communication skills verbal and written.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly professional manner and provide quick responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employees supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.
• Regular attendance is important.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a full-time non-exempt classified position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment or teaching in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies as those laws and policies may change from time to time and the Teacher Contract. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

Terms of employment are contingent upon:

• A background check which demonstrates background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. Citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required by federal law for your position).

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin religion sex (including pregnancy) marital status sexual orientation disability age genetic information gender identity gender expression citizenship status veteran status political affiliation or economic status in its programs activities employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity 3215 Cuming Street Omaha NE 68131. )

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at .