Sign Language Interpreter

Title: Sign Language Interpreter (12 month)

Employee Classification: Sign Language Interpreter

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Student Affairs

SubDivision-Department: UNT-AVP Health and Wellness

Department: UNT-Office of Disability Access-161540

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility:

About Us - Values Overview:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year. We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team. Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Office of Disability Access (ODA) at the University of North Texas exists to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability and to help students reach a higher level of independence. It is the mission of the ODA to engage and collaborate with faculty and other campus partners to ensure students with disabilities at the University of North Texas have access to all university programs, services, and activities; promote equity and inclusion for students with disabilities; and provide a platform for accessible pedagogical innovation.

Position Overview

The position of American Sign Language Interpreter has the purpose of providing communication access in the classroom and on the campus of the University of North Texas. Access will be provided in either American Sign Language or Spoken English to meet the need of the consumer. This interpreter will be certified through either the BEI of Texas or the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID/NIC),and will maintain professional certification. This interpreter will also practice and enforce the Code of Professional Conduct as outlined by RID/BEI. All activities shall promote ensuring equal access for students and compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act Amendments Act (2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in academic programs at the university.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university/college and 3 years' of full-time and varied interpreting experience in community-based setting; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Certified through either the BEI of Texas or the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID/NIC).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Linguistic skills:
Fluent in all working languages.
Ability to accommodate the linguistic and communication needs of a variety of Deaf individuals.
Knowledge and use of a broad range of vocabulary, including legal terminology,
subject-specific terminology, and slang.
Knowledge and use of cultural nuances, regional variations, idiomatic
expressions, and colloquialisms in all working languages.

Interactive skills:
Ability to use the proper pronunciation, diction, and intonation in all working languages, signed and spoken.
Ability to communicate with a neutralized accent in all working languages.
Ability to project and/or speak/sign softly.
Ability to ignore auditory and visual distractions and focus on the message.

Listening comprehension skills for hearing ASL-English interpreters:
Ability to listen to and comprehend different rates of speech in English.
Ability to listen to and comprehend various regional accents and/or language varieties in English.

Reading comprehension skills:
Ability to read English and comprehend overall meaning and specific details of a written text.
Ability to read and recognize various written contexts, including formal and informal text, subject-specific vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and colloquialisms.
Ability to read and understand quickly and with little preparation.

Interpreting skills:
Ability to concentrate and focus.
Ability to process linguistic information quickly.
Ability to make quick linguistic decisions regarding word choice or terminology selection.
Ability to apply short-term memory skills in retaining small units of information.
Ability to think analytically.
Ability to utilize predictive thinking skills to anticipate incoming messages.
Ability to convey meaning.
Ability to provide transference from one language to another.
Ability to preserve accuracy.
Ability to select appropriate equivalent for vocabulary or phrases.
Ability to conserve intent, tone, style, and utterances of all messages.
Ability to reflect register.
Ability to self-monitor and self-correct.

Behavioral skills:
Ability to practice and follow professional judicial ethical standards.
Ability to conduct business in a professional manner.
Knowledge and awareness of cultural aspects and bias that affect the interpretation.
Ability to work in various settings, situations, or conditions.
Ability to project self-confidence and self-awareness when interpreting.
Knowledge and continued learning of social, technological, and legal changes that affect interpretation and best practices.

Additional Knowledge Skills:
Knowledge of the role of an interpreter as part of a team, when additional interpreters are required for effective communication.

Preferred Qualifications

-Certified through either the BEI of Texas or the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID/NIC)
-Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university/college
-Five years of full-time interpreting experience at the post-secondary level
-Strict compliance with RID / NIC / BEI Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters.
-Flexible availability for morning/afternoon/night/weekend scheduling.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

• Keep Assistant Director, Associate Director, and Director informed of concerns, problems, and areas of progress regarding interpreting assignments.
• Assist Assistant Director with scheduling interpreter and CART services. Utilize other office time to advance skills, vocabulary, and class preparation.
• Provide basic office coverage of unit when needed.
• Participate in activities, when possible, within the Division of Student Affairs.
• Participate in Deaf/Hard of Hearing related outreach activities.
• Provide sign language interpretation in the classroom and related academic settings for qualified students.
• Provide sign language interpreting services in non-classroom settings when necessary.
• Attend and participate in conferences, meetings, in-service training, and workshops on and off campus to ensure compliance with the professional Code of Conduct as prescribed by RID, and to maintain current level of certification.
• Provide information and referral to the Office of Disability Access for students requesting services and accommodations.
• Provide information and referral to Human Resources for faculty and staff requesting services and accommodations.
• Provide sign language interpretation as needed for internal ODA staff communication access.

Work Schedule:

Typically: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; Occasional evenings and weekends. However, based on interpreting assignments for academic and non-academic needs, evening classes or activities may be assigned. Advanced notice will be provided when possible for

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

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