Certified Sign Language Interpreter: IDEA Brownsville Academy (Immediate Opening)
Description
Role Mission: The Certified Educational Sign Language Interpreter role is to support students with auditory impairment through interpreter services in a K-12 educational setting. They will ensure students are serviced in an optimal educational environment conducive to academic excellence, which promotes post-secondary readiness.
This is a full-time (on-site) position in Texas that requires candidates to live and work in (1) of the following assigned Regional Areas: Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth).
Travel Expectations: To and from assigned campus(es)
What We Offer
Compensation:
- Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $21.29 for 0 years of experience and $26.62
- Hourly co-teachers earnings are paid out over a 12-month period
Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:
- Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
- Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.
Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
What You Bring -- Competencies
Qualifications:
- Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent required; Associate degree from an accredited college or university preferred
- Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in sign language or interpreting functional area in an educational setting required
- Experience: Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) required
- Licenses or Certifications: American Sign Language (ASL) certification, through State Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) or National Registry Interpreter for the Deaf (RID) preferred but not required
- Bilingual in English-Spanish
- Physical Requirements:
- Sitting for extended periods of time
- Ability to navigate indoor and outdoor surfaces
- Lifting items weighing 15 lbs. or less
Knowledge and Skills:
Make Strategic Decisions
- This team member makes informed decisions by gathering reliable information, asking clarifying questions, and evaluating multiple options. They thoughtfully align their choices with team objectives, current responsibilities, and the broader mission of the organization.
Manage Work and Teams:
- This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management.
Grow Self and Others:
- This team member demonstrates self-awareness by actively seeking and thoughtfully responding to feedback with curiosity and a growth mindset. They identify development areas, implement feedback when appropriate, and pursue opportunities to build their knowledge and skills.
Build a Culture of Trust:
- This team member consistently demonstrates self-awareness and emotional intelligence, fostering psychological safety and trust within the team. They build respectful, reliable relationships and engage in direct, compassionate feedback, supporting a culture of honesty and mutual respect.
Communicate Deliberately:
- This team member communicates clearly and professionally, delivering concise messages tailored to their audience. They actively listen, engage in dialogue by asking and clarifying questions, and follow up to ensure shared understanding in both individual and group settings.
What You’ll Do -- Accountabilities
Responsibilities:
- Interprets lectures, discussions, announcements, conversations, events, and other spoken word situations using manual sign system appropriate for the language and cultural background of deaf/hard of hearing students and staff.
- Collaborates with all stakeholders for instructional services, may preview lessons as deemed appropriate
- Participates in ARD/IEP meetings, teacher/parent conferences, or other meetings as appropriate
- Maintains current and accurate data required for students’ files and IEP
- Provide communication support in mainstream classes and activities during the school day, transitions and non-academic activities.
- Works with teachers to gain understanding of relevant concepts to better facilitate translation for deaf/hard of hearing students, according to the student's IEP.
- Teach students and staff how to appropriately utilize interpreting services
We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:
- Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
- Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
- Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
- Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
- Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
- Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
- Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
- We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students
About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Culture and Belonging
At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.
