ASL Interpreter

Change Church•Duluth, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The ASL Interpreter for Worship & Live Events provides professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation to ensure Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees have meaningful and equitable access to Change Church worship services, ministry experiences, and designated live events. This role interprets spoken and musical content in real time, including sermons, worship, prayer, Scripture, announcements, hosting, ministry moments, and other elements of the live experience. The interpreter must communicate not only the words being spoken, but also the meaning, intent, tone, context, and flow of communication while maintaining the integrity of the original message. Because Change Church services are dynamic and highly relational, the ASL Interpreter must be comfortable navigating live environments that may include multiple communicators, music, spontaneous ministry moments, audience interaction, cultural references, humor, changes to planned content, and fast-paced transitions. This is a part-time/per-service position designed to support a broader pool of qualified ASL interpreters who may be scheduled based on service and event needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP), Interpreter Education Program (IEP), or formal coursework in ASL interpreting, Deaf Studies, linguistics, or a related field strongly preferred.
Minimum of 2 years of professional ASL interpreting experience preferred, with demonstrated experience interpreting in live, public-facing environments.
Previous experience interpreting in church services, worship environments, conferences, concerts, performing arts, or other live-event settings strongly preferred.
Experience interpreting sermons, Scripture, prayer, worship music, presentations, and spontaneous spoken communication is highly desirable.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), National Interpreter Certification (NIC), or another recognized professional interpreting credential preferred.
Demonstrated fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and English, with strong receptive and expressive communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to interpret complex spoken communication accurately and effectively in real time while preserving meaning, tone, intent, context, and emotional expression.
Strong knowledge of Deaf culture, ASL linguistic principles, and culturally appropriate interpreting practices.
Ability to interpret effectively in dynamic live environments involving multiple speakers, music, audience interaction, changing content, and unscripted moments.
Ability to interpret worship music and other artistic content in a way that communicates meaning and intent rather than relying solely on literal word-for-word translation.
Ability to understand and accurately communicate biblical, theological, ministry, and church-related terminology.
Strong preparation and research skills, including the ability to review sermon notes, Scripture, lyrics, service rundowns, speaker information, and unfamiliar terminology before an assignment.
Ability to maintain concentration, accuracy, professionalism, and composure for extended periods.
Ability to collaborate effectively with other interpreters and participate in team-interpreting rotations.
Strong professional judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, flexibility, and ability to fulfill scheduled commitments consistently.
Ability to receive feedback and continually strengthen interpreting effectiveness.
Comfortable working in highly visible, platform-facing environments.
Must be available for scheduled Sunday worship services, with additional opportunities for weekday/evening services, conferences, holidays, and special events.
Must be able to arrive at designated call times, which may include pre-service preparation, rehearsal, production meetings, or soundcheck.
Must be able to stand for extended periods and continuously use hands, arms, facial expressions, and body movement required for effective ASL interpretation.
Must be comfortable working in environments with amplified sound, music, stage lighting, large audiences, and live production activity.
Final candidates will be required to successfully complete a practical ASL interpreting assessment as part of the selection process.
The assessment may include representative Change Church content such as sermon excerpts, worship music, Scripture, prayer, announcements, and spontaneous live communication.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP), Interpreter Education Program (IEP), or formal coursework in ASL interpreting, Deaf Studies, linguistics, or a related field strongly preferred.
Minimum of 2 years of professional ASL interpreting experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience interpreting in live, public-facing environments.
Previous experience interpreting in church services, worship environments, conferences, concerts, performing arts, or other live-event settings strongly preferred.
Experience interpreting sermons, Scripture, prayer, worship music, presentations, and spontaneous spoken communication is highly desirable.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), National Interpreter Certification (NIC), or another recognized professional interpreting credential preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve in excellence by being early and prepared for all scheduled meetings.
Establish and foster exemplary relationships with staff, non-staff workers, church members, vendors, and the community, representing Change Church with integrity, professionalism, and warmth.
Demonstrate a servant’s heart and a willingness to support organizational needs beyond assigned workflows when appropriate.
Contribute to cultivating a healthy, honor-driven, growth-oriented, and spiritually strong organizational culture.
Provide accurate, clear, and culturally appropriate ASL interpretation during assigned Change Church worship services, conferences, special services, and live events.
Interpret sermons, Scripture, prayer, announcements, hosting, transitions, testimonies, ministry moments, and other spoken communication in real time.
Preserve the meaning, intent, tone, context, and emotional expression of the original communication while interpreting.
Adapt effectively to communicators with varying speaking styles, pacing, vocabulary, cultural references, and presentation approaches.
Remain prepared to interpret spontaneous or unscripted moments that may occur during live ministry environments.
Maintain appropriate positioning, visibility, professionalism, and platform awareness throughout the service or event.
Interpret worship songs and other musical elements in a manner that communicates the meaning, emotion, theme, and intent of the content.
Review lyrics and worship materials in advance when provided.
Collaborate with the appropriate worship, production, or service teams when preparation is necessary for complex musical or creative elements.
Maintain sensitivity to the difference between literal translation and meaningful interpretation of musical and worship content.
Review available sermon notes, Scriptures, song lyrics, service rundowns, speaker information, event materials, terminology, names, and other resources before assigned services or events.
Conduct necessary preparation and research to accurately interpret unfamiliar terminology, theological concepts, names, cultural references, or specialized content.
Arrive at the designated call time and remain available through the completion of the assigned service or event.
Participate in required pre-service meetings, rehearsals, soundchecks, production walkthroughs, or interpreter briefings when applicable.
Communicate proactively when additional materials or clarification are needed to prepare effectively for an assignment.
Work collaboratively with other ASL interpreters assigned to services and events.
Participate in team interpreting and appropriate interpreter rotations during extended services, conferences, or events.
Support smooth transitions between interpreters without disrupting the attendee experience.
Receive and provide professional feedback that strengthens interpretation quality and consistency.
Help establish consistency in recurring Change Church terminology, ministry language, names, and commonly used expressions.
Help create a welcoming and accessible worship environment for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees.
Demonstrate respect for Deaf culture and the linguistic diversity that exists within the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while interacting with attendees.
Communicate accessibility concerns or barriers to the appropriate Change Church leader so they can be addressed.
Partner with church leadership as appropriate to continually strengthen the accessibility and effectiveness of the ASL experience.
Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive, pastoral, personal, or organizational information encountered while interpreting.
Exercise sound professional judgment and appropriate boundaries in all interpreting assignments.
Interpret faithfully without intentionally adding, omitting, altering, or editorializing the speaker's message.
Maintain a high standard of reliability, punctuality, preparedness, and professionalism.
Follow applicable professional interpreting ethics and standards of conduct.
Represent Change Church professionally when interacting with attendees, guests, speakers, staff, volunteers, and other interpreters.
Support weekend worship experiences, church-wide conferences, special events, and other organizational initiatives as assigned based on operational needs.
Provide functional, logistical, technical, guest experience, or event support consistent with the responsibilities of the role.
Collaborate across departments and campuses to support seamless execution and an excellent experience for guests, members, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, excellence, and a servant-hearted approach when supporting weekend and special event needs.
Other related duties as assigned