Translator jobs in Des Moines, IA

Southeast Polk Community School District

Job Description

Title: Interpreter-Translator (PreK-Grade 12)
Hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (may vary)
Location: To be determined

1. Must possess a minimum of an Associate’s Degree or a Paraeducator Certificate.

2. Demonstrated ability to successfully work with the needs of all Pre-K through 12th-grade students.

3. Must be skilled in translating spoken words from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English at a normal speaking rate.

4. Must be able to demonstrate competency in the ability to;

   1. speak Spanish and English to convey or exchange information;

   2. understand in both Spanish and English;

   3. read a variety of correspondence, etc., in English and Spanish;

   4. write using standard conventions in English and Spanish.

5. Successful completion of a physical, criminal background, and child abuse registry check and pre-work screening at the time of hire.

6. Experience working in an educational setting is preferred.

1. Will be responsible for written translations from English to Spanish, such as notifications regarding school activities, student progress, disciplinary actions, etc.  

2. Will be responsible for written translation from Spanish to English for such purposes as translating school records, medical records, notes from parents, etc.

3. Read various materials (e.g., letters, instructional materials, brochures, articles, handbooks, Individual Education Plans (IEP), etc.) to interpret materials in a second language or English.

4. Translates verbatim conversations and designated materials to/from English and a second language (usually Spanish) to ensure the accuracy of information. 

5. Perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and ratios; read various manuals; write documents following prescribed formats and present information to others; and solve practical problems.

6. Must be flexible and able to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes, and operate equipment using defined methods.

7. Must possess the ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.

8. Will interpret all information presented in learning situations in and outside the classroom.

9. Interpret at school functions outside of the classroom during regularly scheduled work hours.

10. Attend staffing meetings and IEP meetings when appropriate.

11. Direct students to ask instructional-related questions to the assigned teacher when appropriate

12. Seek professional development opportunities and maintain a continuing program of staff development.

13. Accept other responsibilities of the assigned building as a teacher’s associate when not interpreting.

14. Follows the rules for clocking in and out.

15. Follow the student’s IEP and teacher’s directives.

16. Does not get visibility upset by occasional foul language, threat of physical violence, or personal habits of students.

17. Will need to practice patience and not become easily discouraged.

18. Helps student(s) to become one of the class.

19. Maintains confidentiality and student privacy by only discussing student needs with staff with an educational need to know the information.

20.  Reports to the assigned center as scheduled.

21.  Implements daily activities (crafts, board games, activities, large group games or activities).

22. Maintains a clean, sanitary, orderly, and safe environment.

23. Ensures the health and safety of the students at the building, on the outdoor play areas, and field trips.

24. Records behavioral incidents (time out, problem reports, accident reports, etc).

25. Keeps all assigned paperwork up-to-date and submits on time (such as Medicaid, student academic or behavioral data)

26. Serves as a positive role model for the students.

27. Assists in preparing, serving, and cleaning breakfast, lunch, and snacks as needed.

28. Assumes duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Teacher or Principal.

Physical Demands

1. Must be capable of standing throughout the work day.

2. Must present appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to school-age children and adults.

3. Must be able to work with interruptions during a work shift.

4. Must be capable of working with students with different personalities, capabilities, and physical and mental limitations.

5. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds to waist level.

6. Must be capable of carrying equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds for a distance of 50 feet.

7. Must be capable of standing, walking (at variable speeds and duration, including running), and changing positions quickly throughout the workday (to include sitting on and getting up from the floor, sitting at different levels when using adult or various child height chairs (ranging from 12” seat height and above and getting up from these chairs); maintaining sustained kneeling, crouching, bending, leaning down and leaning over postures up to 40 minutes at a time.

8. Must be willing to come into contact with body fluids such as urine and feces, blood and nasal secretions, and contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold.

9. Must be capable of using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE.

10. Must be capable of working in a broad range of temperatures, humidity, and other winter and summer environments.

11. Must be capable of working in a noisy environment.

12.  Physical dexterity in limbs and digits is necessary to physically interact with children in a playground and classroom environment.

Note:  The physical demands described above represent real-life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job.  While the frequency may be low, the above-stated physical demands may be required during a daily work shift.  Tasks with physical demands exceeding the above-stated limits should only be performed with sufficient manpower or material handling equipment.

Clothing:

1. Outdoor clothing, including coats, boots, gloves, and hats, is dependent on environmental conditions.

2. Appropriate footwear for an environment where sharps, chemicals, or body fluids may fall onto exposed skin.

Evaluation: The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Southeast Polk Board Policy and the Classified Master Agreement.

Terms of Employment:

1. Employment based on student days, additional days, or hours will be based on need.

2. The location of this position will be determined once the successful candidate is hired.

3. Hourly wage: $18.57/hour, increasing to $20.41/hour after six months.