ASL Interpreter

Central Washington University is recruiting a Certified and qualified American Sign Language Interpreter to join our Disability Services team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they work with us to provide equal access for the Deaf, Deaf Blind, Deaf Disabled, and Hard of Hearing community of students here for the University. The role is a campus-based position which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. This role would work in cooperation with the CWU ASL Interpreter Coordinator and Staff Interpreter. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $49,116 - $66,012 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

Under the direction of Assistant Director of Disability Services, provides sign language interpreting/transliterating services for deaf and hard of hearing employees and students in classes, events, and meetings. May include exams, discussions and related activities. The Sign Language Interpreter accepts responsibility for knowledge of and adherence to the ethics of interpreting and the role of the interpreter (see NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct). The job requires fluency in English and American Sign Language. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

ASL Interpretation for Students
- Provides interpretation and transliteration services using American Sign Language communication for deaf and hard of hearing students in university classes, including lectures and labs. This work may require presentation and exchange of highly complex and technical information. Assesses the needs of the student and the interpreting situation before and during assignments and makes adjustments as needed.
- Interprets from deaf and hard of hearing student's contributions, reports, or discussions to classmates and faculty; interprets deaf and hard of hearing student's questions directed to others.
- Establishes and maintains a good working relationship with faculty, staff, and others as required by assignments.
- Assists with providing the deaf and hard of hearing student's communication needs, including assessing and adjusting lighting, seating arrangements, and access to visual aids. May work with instructor to change rooms and/or position if necessary.
- Prepares for classes, meetings, events, and gatherings by reading and becoming familiar with technical vocabulary and content.

General Administrative Duties and University Events
- Provides interpreting services for high profile CWU events, such as commencement ceremonies, presidential and provost speeches, video-posts, etc.
- Provides a range of assigned administrative services during hours not scheduled for interpreting; assists in the coordination and administration of on-call interpreters as assigned.
- May act as back up interpreter for faculty or other employees as necessary.

Stays Up to Date
- Stays abreast of new developments and techniques in the interpretation field by attending workshops, conferences, and reviewing current literature, legislation and technology.
- Assists in developing and providing relevant DEI trainings on campus specific to Deaf/disability issues.

- Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Demonstrated experience in ASL interpreting.
• National Interpreter Certification (NIC) through RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).
• Ability to communicate in high register ASL) (expressively and receptively) and English (spoken and written).
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds, and experiences.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree.
• Experience interpreting in an educational setting.
• A record of promoting inclusivity in the work environment.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position is based on the range 47 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $49,116 and maximum annual salary of $66,012. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: M - F, 8am - 5pm (1-hr lunch) (flexible), with some occasional evenings and weekends for specialist events.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person and virtual interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform computer-related tasks and do interpreting virtually or in-person. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.