Educational Interpreter (ASL)

Shrub Oak International School is the new benchmark in autism education. We are a private day and boarding school in northern Westchester County, serving the needs of an international coed population of children, adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Shrub Oak is a school where each student is respected as an individual and surrounded by experts who care and work to bring out each student’s greatest strengths. Our curriculum brings together the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education to prepare our students for independent adult life and employment. Offering two distinct educational programs, with both day and boarding options, Shrub Oak truly is a school like no other.

The Educational Interpreter is a 12-month calendar year position reporting to the Director of Education. Under the direction of the Education Coordinator, the Educational Interpreter provides support for students based on their ITEP goals and/or diploma requirements in collaboration with the classroom teachers, and other team members for each student served. In addition, the Educational Interpreter will have a strong partnership with classroom faculty and clinical staff to support an individualized, evidence-based educational program considering each student's interests, strengths and needs. Daily support by the Educational Interpreter will occur within the school building and on the school grounds. The Educational Interpreter will communicate closely with classroom teachers and all levels of staff to support a unique enhanced educational experience with full access to communication for the student. The Educational Interpreter also actively participates in other programs, events, and services. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required.

Responsibilities:

· Facilitate communication through use of sign language, spoken English, cultural mediation, and knowledge of visual accessibility at the school

· Provide interpreting services within academic settings, employment meetings, parent meetings, and institutional events for and between deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, hard of hearing, and hearing students, staff, and parents

· Prepare for interpreting by utilizing provided preparation materials, researching outside sources, and communicating/collaborating with colleagues

· Provide consultation and answers questions regarding best practices for working with sign language interpreters and working with deaf individuals

· Supports students in collaboration with Special Education Teacher

· Communicates and documents student progress with educational team; participates in relevant interdisciplinary meetings regarding student progress

· Sets up and adapts materials, equipment, and assistive devices for use by student(s) as directed including school emergency protocols

· Facilitates and supports student progress toward independence

· Monitors and assists students during educational and recreational activities

· Assists student(s) with routine physical and/or personal care not required to be performed by a nurse

· Monitors and assists students in meeting IEP goals and objectives; participate in IEP meetings as a member of the educational team

· Prioritizes work assignments appropriately; interpreting educational classroom content should be prioritized above all other interpreting situations/needs

· Maintains confidentiality of student information; information is shared only on a relevant need-to-know basis with educational team

· Use RID Code of Professional Conduct and EIPA Guidelines for Professional Conduct to guide professional and ethical decision-making

· Serve as a sign language model for deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, and hard of hearing students with who they work; present content and intent of speaker at a language level most readily understood by the individual

· Participates in professional development meetings as needed and required; develops and enhances signing and interpreting skills through participation in professional training that builds upon current knowledge and skill competencies

· May participate in/interpret for crisis intervention and behavioral techniques as needed

· May be asked to provide tutoring services to deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, and hard of hearing students such as preliminary exposure to content-specific vocabulary, reviewing essential concepts, and/or providing additional opportunities for guided practice.

·Support social development by informally teaching conversational sign to teachers, staff, and peers

· May be expected to support the general safety, productiveness, and operations of the school within the boundaries of compensated working hours as long as said expectations do not interfere with the need for educational interpreting services

· Accepts responsibility for developing and maintaining a relevant professional development plan, seeking a qualified mentor as necessary

Qualifications:

· Successful completion of the written portion of the RID (National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) certification exam OR successful completion of the EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) with a score of 3.5 or higher

· Minimum of 3 or more years interpreting experience with deaf and hard of hearing population, preferably in a K-12 educational setting and/or experience with deaf disabled students

Preferred: Bachelor's Degree

Preferred: Certificate of completion or equivalent from an accredited interpreter training program is strongly preferred, though relevant experience with deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, and hard of hearing students may be considered. Preferably completed a supervised internship or practicum in an educational setting

· Familiarity with common video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams

· Knowledge of deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, hard of hearing services, and accommodations in educational settings.

Work Type: This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM

EEO Statement:

Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require reasonable accommodation.