TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Length of position: 12 months per year
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ASL Communication Coordinator, under the supervision of the Human Resources Director, plays an important role in ensuring that TSD’s culture of bilingualism is reinforced and that TSD employees feel connected, recognized and proud to be part of this organization. The position provides guidance and support to TSD students, staff and families in the acquisition, development and refinement of ASL knowledge and skills. The ASL Communication Specialist provides leadership in the evaluation of staff sign language skills using the SLPI assessment program as part of TSD’s commitment to Bilingual education; Acts as a resource to teachers and staff in designing appropriate sign language professional development plans to support staff sign communication needs. Work involves scheduling SLPI interviews, ratings and follow-up reports for staff and students; scheduling and overseeing SLPI team, sign language classes and sign language instruction; evaluating program activities; developing budget requests. Plans, assigns and supervises the work of others as the department of Sign Language services expands.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in education, communication, linguistics, sign language, or interpreting.
Highly Fluent in ASL: SLPI Advanced Level Sign Language Skills or equivalent interpreter certification.
Knowledge of sign language curriculum and teaching strategies.
Ability to work flexible hours including some evening and weekends and willingness to do occasional travel including overnight.
Must be able to teach sign language and interpreting, to assess student learning performance and assess communication proficiency in others.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in education, communication, linguistics, sign language, or interpreting.
Prior experience as a coordinator of interpreting and/or sign language services
Experience as a teacher of the deaf
Administrative and/or supervisory experience relative to services delivery programs and subordinate staff
BEI Lever IV, V or RID MCSC certification
Experience in sign language and/or interpreter evaluations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES/ATTRIBUTES
Instructional Knowledge— knowledge of content; instructional methodologies, classroom management
Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Develops and oversees TSD’s Sign Language program.
Assembles feedback to guide continuous improvement of the sign language program.
Serves as a resource on cultural competence and second language acquisition.
Sign Language Assessment
Performs SLPI interviews and assessments
Develops and oversees Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) teams, providing training to ensure consistent, accurate outcomes of SLPIs.
Monitors, collects and analyzes data from SLPI teams to determine support from demonstrated needs.
Assists managers in the creation and implementation of language improvement plans.
Provides coaching, modeling, and guidance aimed at professional growth for TSD staff through workshops and demonstrations pertinent to second language acquisition methods.
Sign Language Instruction
Working with the Human Resources Staff Support Specialist, develops and delivers research-based education and professional development aligned to school goals and initiatives using highly effective principals and strategies best suited to identified customers which may include students as well as adult learners.
Attends appropriate professional meetings and workshops to maintain proficiency and to acquire new ideas for continued improvement.
Keeps all stakeholders informed as to the progress of staff or student ASL language development.
Program Technical Assistance
Consults with individual staff and student on sign language related items
Conducts classroom observations and provides feedback to the teacher on sign language related tasks
Analyzes evaluation results; makes recommendations for curriculum and instructional needs of staff
Assesses sign language teacher performance.
May perform highly technical or specialized translation duties.
May provide community education workshops and training sessions.
Work cooperatively with the TSD Interpreting Department.
Serves on committees and taskforces in support of TSD sign language related initiatives
Performs other duties and accepts responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISOR
Human Resources Director
MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY (MOS) CODE: Program Supervisor VI
See page 3 of https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement
