Educational Specialist, (American Sign Language Interpreter Training Program) (pos.0096871T)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educational Specialist will lead the launch and administration of a bachelor-level American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Training Program (ITP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The role conducts research on established programs and presents findings and strategic recommendations to department and college leadership and community stakeholders to inform program design. It coordinates curriculum proposals, course actions, and administrative requirements for new or expanded ASL and Sign Language Interpretation concentrations. The specialist tracks program data, maintains databases on enrollment and student performance and progress, and advises students on program requirements, course offerings, orientation, campus navigation, and the transition from language learning to professional interpreting. The position plans and implements student orientations, recruitment activities, and academic events; serves as a primary contact for inquiries and information; and assists with faculty recruitments. It also builds partnerships with community organizations, interpreting agencies, and state agencies to support recruitment, practicum and mentorship opportunities, and workforce development. The role facilitates requests for extramural funding, resolves operational and academic matters under applicable policies, and stays current on policies and professional standards for ASL interpretation, language access, and academic research. Other duties may be assigned. This is a full-time, 11-month, temporary position. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work for program-related events and activities.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Deaf Studies, Linguistics, or a related field, plus three years of progressively responsible professional experience in program management, academic advising, administrative coordination, or sign language interpretation; or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience.
Considerable working knowledge of ASL interpretation principles, practices, and techniques, including broad knowledge of relevant standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, theories, and systems associated with higher education, student academic services, or disability and communication access for d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals.
Ability to resolve complex, wide-ranging problems through creative reasoning and logic, accurately identifying causes and effective, timely resolutions.
Ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing and verbally, and through reports and other materials.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
Ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing software.
For applicable supervisory work, ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Expertise in ASL interpretation, including comprehensive knowledge of the interpreting profession, training pathways (ITPs), and local and national credentialing systems.
Experience working closely with Deaf communities and ability to network within the professional interpreting field to promote students and programs.
Ability to manage, organize, analyze, and share program data for tracking and reporting.
Ability to work occasional nights and weekends for program-related events and activities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Deaf Studies, Linguistics, or a related field.
Experience maintaining websites and using social media for public relations.
Experience planning and executing promotional campaigns, outreach strategies, or recruitment events targeted at prospective students or community stakeholders.
Fluency in ASL.

Responsibilities

Lead the launch and administration of a bachelor-level ASL Interpreter Training Program.
Research established ASL Interpreter Training Programs and develop findings and strategic recommendations for a higher-education program model serving students on multiple islands.
Present program research and recommendations to department and college leadership and community stakeholders.
Manage administrative logistics for curriculum proposals and process course actions.
Establish and coordinate administrative requirements for new and expanded concentrations in ASL and Sign Language Interpretation.
Track ASL ITP data and maintain databases on enrollment, student performance, and student progress.
Advise students on program requirements, course offerings, orientation, and campus navigation.
Advise students on the transition from language learning to professional interpreting, including credentials, licensure disclosure, and national standards for interpreter candidates.
Plan, coordinate, and implement new-student orientation sessions.
Serve as the program’s primary contact for inquiries and information dissemination, and assist with faculty recruitments.
Plan, coordinate, and implement recruitment activities and academic events promoting undergraduate and graduate offerings.
Develop and maintain partnerships with community organizations, interpreting agencies, and state agencies to support recruitment, practicum and mentorship opportunities, and workforce development.
Facilitate requests for extramural funding to support the ITP, including funding renewals.
Resolve operational, academic, and administrative matters in accordance with current policies and procedures.
Stay current on federal, state, and university policies and professional standards related to ASL interpretation, language access, and academic research.
Perform other duties as assigned.