The following vacancy exists in Goshen Community Schools for the 2020-21 school year:

ECSEC

American Sign Language Interpreter

The Elkhart County Special Education Cooperative (ECSEC) is made up of the Baugo, Concord, Fairfield, Goshen, Middlebury, and Wa-Nee Community Schools in North Central Indiana located 30 minutes from the University of Notre Dame.  Administrative offices are located at 704 West Lincoln Avenue, Goshen, IN  46526.

POSITION PURPOSE:   An American Sign Language Interpreter is an individual who facilitates communication among the deaf and hard of hearing persons in an educational environment through the use of techniques developed for communicating between educational team, serving staff as well as deaf people, by minimizing linguistic, cultural, and physical barriers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Interprets everything. This includes but is not limited to: side conversations held by students or adults, class lectures, environmental noises, alarms, drills, presentations, field trips, special classes (art, music and gym, assemblies, phone calls, and announcements. In sort, if the hearing students have access by virtue of their ears, then the DHH students have the right to this information as well. Therefore, while not an exhaustive list, some of the duties of an Interpreter are as follows:

o Interprets in regular or specialized classroom to individual students or groups of students by adapting language level to communication needs of the student for the purpose of ensuring optimum visual communication.

• Educates. Since in most school setting the Interpreter (and DHH student) is a novelty, some explanation to role and function is necessary. This education can take the form of in-services for teachers and staff, and everyday interactions. Other examples of responsibilities include:
• The Interpreter may be responsible for conducting in-services with building staff on their roles and responsibilities within the school.
• The Interpreter may be required to help the DHH, and hearing students understand the role of the Interpreter versus that of tutor, teacher, or friend. Increased independence of the student will develop as student matures and is developmentally capable of such distinction.
• The Interpreter works with the entire educational team/program and not just the deaf or hard of hearing student.
• Prepares for interpreting assignments. This includes reading over textbooks, handouts, and lesson plans, getting copies of schedules or notes of speakers, being aware of interpreting environment and corresponding logistics, communicating with teaching team and even practicing with assigned homework (if the material is more complicated). This occurs in the educational environment through the duties of:
• Maintains daily notebook/log for the purpose of reporting student progress on objectives, behavior, social interaction, abilities, and daily work with regard to language, interpreter use, and cultural mediation.
• Interpreters shall strive to further knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings, interaction with professional colleagues, and reading of current literature in the field.
• As stated in the Job Summary, the Interpreter’s first function is to provide access to the learning environment. Other duties may include, but are not limited to:
• The Interpreter should share observations about how well the student understands the interpreted classroom content or any other issues related to interpreting. The Interpreter should not evaluate how well the student is doing academically or behaviorally, except as they relate to interpreting.
• May tutor students who are DHH in a variety of subjects for the purpose of supplementing their daily class activities and enhance learning. Tutoring is under the guidance of teachers and materials provided by teachers. Tutoring questions should be directed to the teacher.
• Assist Teacher of the Deaf in preparing teaching materials, bulletin boards, coping during assigned time which would not interfere with the student access to instructional needs.
• Additional Information Necessary to Clarify Job Duties:
• EIPA professional conduct guidelines for Educational Interpreters/Classroom interpreting.
• Educational Interpreters are required to review EIPA guidelines with regard to tutoring under the supervision of the teacher.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be in compliance with Indiana State regulations for Educational Interpreters. See Indiana’s Department of Education website.
• Pass an ASL interpreting test.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Ability to communicate using sign language. Interpreters shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting, and the consumers involved.
• Ability to plan and organize, good work habits.
• Interprets without omitting, adding to, or altering anything said or written.
• Has some relevant experience.
• Understands and upholds the rights of all parties and respects the confidentiality of the communication.
• Flexible
• Shows knowledge of cultures involved.
• Comfortable with public speaking

HOURS:  As needed

SALARY:  $20.00/hour

BENEFITS:  This position is not eligible for benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  In order to be considered, all applicants must have completed their on-line application at https://goshenschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

          CURRENT GCS EMPLOYEES CLICK HERE

Please attach the following to your application:

• Letter of interest
• Up-to-date resume 

For questions regarding this position please contact:

Theresa Eldridge

ECSEC

704 West Lincoln Avenue

Goshen, IN  46526

teldridge@goshenschools.org

574-533-3151

The Goshen Community School's Board of School Trustees is an equal opportunity employer.  Selection of the applicant will be made without reference to race, color, creed, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS IS: Until Filled