Howard County Public School System

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. Our mission is to ensure academic success and social-emotional well-being for each student in an inclusive and nurturing environment that closes opportunity gaps.

Before you begin the application process, please read the job description below carefully and review our application instructions and FAQs. Be sure your application reflects experience and education to meet any minimum qualifications listed. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Reminder: Current permanent employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Coordinator of Countywide Services, the Educational Interpreter provides interpreting and other support services for deaf/hard of hearing children in the school district. The primary function is to serve as a communication facilitator between children who are deaf/hard of hearing and their hearing peers, the classroom teacher, and other school staff. Other duties that may be performed when not required to provide interpreting services include providing educational support and participating in meetings as a member of the education team. The function of an Educational Interpreter is to provide access to communication using American Sign Language, Cued Speech, and/or Oral Transliteration to and from spoken English through a complex process that requires a high degree of linguistic, cognitive, and technical skills. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED (equivalency) and completion of an Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) or Interpreter Training Program (ITP). 

Experience:

• Experience as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter within the past two years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in deaf studies, American Sign Language, or a related area. 
• Certification through National Interpreter Certification (NIC), Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf (RID), or National Association of the Deaf (NAD). 
• Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) written and performance exam score of at least 4.0. 
• Prior professional experience interpreting with students of varied degrees of deafness, age range, cognitive level, and related disabilities. 
• Experience with technology to include web-based productivity and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or learning management systems (Canvas). 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Makes the language of the classroom accessible to students who are deaf/hard of hearing through interpretation in the child’s language level and communication mode as stated in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). 
• Works with classroom teachers of multiple disciplines to facilitate academic and personal communication for deaf/hard of hearing students with adults and student peers, by providing interpreting services during scheduled classroom lessons, tutoring sessions, parent conferences, meetings, and other school activities. 
• Reviews coursework materials in advance so that classroom activities and assignments can be conveyed clearly and accurately. 
• Follows guidelines and procedures of the Department of Special Education (DSE) to provide support and interpretation assistance to deaf/hard of hearing students. 
• Provides input and follow recommendations made by IEP teams related to students’ interpreting needs (e.g., communication strategies, student progress with services, recommends resource materials related to student interpreting needs, etc.). 
• Collaborates and serves as a liaison to DSE staff, classroom teachers, related service providers, parents, advocates, and other school staff. 
• Performs other duties assigned by the school principal or designee when this does not conflict with the primary responsibility of interpreting. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

• Interpreter skills translating signing/cueing to and from spoken English. 
• Proficiency in English and American Sign Language, Cued Speech, or other modes of communication. 
• Ability to exercise professionalism and patience in highly active learning environments or stressful situations. 
• Interpersonal skills that will enable the candidate to communicate and work collaboratively with administrators, central office staff, teachers, families, and other HCPSS stakeholder groups. 
• Knowledge and cultural awareness of the Deaf culture. 
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices related to providing services to deaf/hard of hearing and/or special education students. 
• Knowledge and understanding of the practices, procedures, and documentation in a public preK-12 school system. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Working Hours

The duty day for this position is 7 hours including a thirty-minute duty-free, unpaid lunch period.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Supplemental Application Questions

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below five (5) supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application.

• Please explain in detail your experience as an American Sign Language interpreter within the past two years. In your response, please be sure to identify the type of interpretive service you have provided, the setting, and the audience. As part of your response, please be sure to identify the previous professional experience from your application or resume that provided this experience.
• Please explain in detail your experience in educational interpreting. In your response, please be sure to identify the level of students you served as well as the length of service. As part of your response, please be sure to identify the previous professional experience from your application or resume that provided this experience.
• Please explain in detail your prior professional experience working with students of varied degrees of deafness, age range, cognitive level, and related disabilities. As part of your response, please be sure to identify the previous professional experience from your application or resume that provided this experience.
• Please explain in detail your experience with technology including web-based productivity and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or learning management systems (Canvas). In your response, please be sure to identify the technology resource you used as well as the project or job function that required the use of the technology. As part of your response, please be sure to identify the previous professional experience from your application or resume that provided this experience.
• Please identify any of relevant certifications you hold such as 1) Registry for Interpreters of the Deaf (RID); 2) National Association of the Deaf (NAD); 3) Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA); or 4) National Interpreter Certification (NIC). Please upload documentation to demonstrate each one held.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current hourly salary grades and rates for this position may be viewed on the Interpreter salary scale. Step placement within the applicable grade will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime. 

Retirement

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact recruitmentinquiries@hcpss.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants who may require assistance and/or an accommodation during the recruitment process for steps such as completing the application or interviewing should contact Julia Bialeski, Coordinator of Recruitment and Hiring, at julia_bialeski@hcpss.org or by calling (410) 313-5600.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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