Lead Sign Language Interpreter, Gr. K-12 (Horace Mann) (SY26-27)

The Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a K-12 day school for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. We are a district and state approved dual language school. Our students are empowered lifelong learners and innovative thinkers with diverse linguistic, ethnic, and cultural identities who are fluent in both American Sign Language and English. Our highly qualified educators are required to obtain teaching licensure from the state of MA and be bilingual in English and American Sign Language (ASL).

The Lead Interpreter at HMS facilitates effective impartial communication between Deaf and Hard of Hearing and hearing individuals, including students, families, staff, teachers, service providers, and peers within Boston Public Schools and partner organizations. In addition to direct interpreting responsibilities, the Lead Interpreter provides coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to ASL interpreters with a focus on high-quality interpreting practices, professional standards, and compliance. This role uses data to inform decision-making and improve the quality of interpretation and language access services.

The Lead Interpreter collaborates closely with Managerial Interpreters and HMS Administration to support weekly Common Planning Time (CPT) meetings, professional development workshops, and coordination of the HMS Interpreting Scheduling Team. Reports to the Principal/Headmaster.

Responsibilities

1. Fluency in ASL and English speaking and writing. Excellent skills in interpreting ASL into spoken English and spoken English into ASL. Knowledge of and comfort with working within a Deaf Culture and Deaf Space affirming environment.

2. Provide interpreting services for needs which include but are not limited to: • Individual Education Program (IEP) team meetings • Related services (occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.) • Orientation & mobility • Vision classroom activities • Guest speakers • Peer conversations • Films • Guest presenters • Trainings • Staff professional development • Mainstream educational classes • Staff meetings • Field trips • Parent-teacher meetings (with the exception of student disciplinary proceedings or discussions related to fellow BTU members)

3. Is a collaborative member of the HMS Interpreter Scheduling Team working with the Deaf Interpreter and Managerial ASL Interpreter to process and schedule all campus-wide interpreting requests.

4. Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to the HMS interpreting staff and student interns to ensure high standards of practice.

5. Assist with the recruiting and interviewing of new interpreters within the HMS structure.

6. Follow RIDE/IPAs Code of Professional Conduct. Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication. Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation. Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation. Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers. Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession. Interpreters maintain ethical business practices. Interpreters engage in professional development.

7. Other duties as assigned by administration.

Qualifications

• Required:

  1. Bachelors Degree
  2. Massachusetts State Screening through MCDHH
  3. RID National Interpreter Certification (NIC) or other national certification
  4. Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) score of 3.5 or higher or within one year of hire, take and pass the EIPA with a score of 3.5 or higher
  5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team and school system
  6. Excellent interpersonal skills
  7. Strong communication skills
  8. Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment
  9. Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, and cloud-based file management) with a focus on creating professional presentations and organized data workflows

• Preferred:

  1. Experience interpreting and transliterating in a variety of settings and consumers
  2. Experience mentoring and developing a high-performing team of interpreters
  3. Graduate of an Interpreter Training Program
  4. Familiarity with the scheduling software Usked

Terms

BTU Group I. Please refer to the BPS website for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade Step. The start and end times of BPS schools vary as do the lengths of the school day. Some BPS schools have a longer school day through the Schedule A Expanded Learning Time (ELT) agreement.

Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn.

If you require an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at accommodations@bostonpublicschools.org.