Summary

***The final salary for this position is dependent upon total Education and Experience***

The Interpreter works between spoken English and American Sign Language and provides communication between the supervising UNM professor and other faculty, staff, and students for academic classes, meetings, conferences, and social functions related to UNM business or service commitments for the professor as needed.

The Interpreter is expected to prepare for all work assignments including reading, researching topics, auditing department courses, and familiarize themselves with current topics that are important to the professor's career. This includes gaining strong familiarity with the professor's views on linguistic theories and approaches based on their research agenda as well as the field of signed language linguistics and  general familiarity with the program of the Linguistics Department.

The interpreter is expected to attend professional workshops (online or in person) in the field of interpreting to continue to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques and methodologies for improving in their job.

The Interpreter will learn the software that the department uses for everyday tasks such as MS Word, MS Power Point, Keynote, Adobe, Zoom, and any other programs specified by the professor.

If asked, the Interpreter may need to provide accessibility information and education to speakers who will be presenting in the department on how best to accommodate Deaf attendees or persons who have visual needs.

The Interpreter is expected to be familiar with the process of requesting interpreting services from approved vendors.
They are expected to follow the UNM working calendar multiple times / day to maintain an ongoing awareness of schedule updates and changes. They also are expected to be aware of the professor’s working schedule to the recurring cycles of various departmental, campus, and general activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Interprets from spoken English into American Sign Language (ASL) and from ASL into spoken English. On an as needed basis, assists the faculty member by acting as their interpreter during academic courses; seminars; meetings; and professional and social events related to UNM business such as faculty recruitment functions and conferences. Works in collaboration with the team interpreter and faculty to develop knowledge of technical vocabulary and to understand concepts in the field. Continually tracks and maintains preparation materials and resources as needed for the job. Serves as the lead interpreter in a team.

• Attends courses, lectures, meetings, trainings, etc. in order to develop and maintain understanding of Linguistics and UNM systems and culture. Attend professional workshops in the field of interpreting and maintain CEUs for certification. Prepares in advance for all meetings, classes, activities. Works proactively to gain an overall familiarity of the department, university and the field of linguistics. In particular, extra time and attention should be on the professors concentration.

• Provides other campus interpreting duties such as lectures, meetings, conferences, events, etc. as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Expressive Skills: Ability to interpret/translate from spoken English into ASL with the speed, accuracy, fluidity and stamina using appropriate terminology and concepts needed for linguistics related classroom lectures, academic activities and University events. Ability to communicate effectively, both speaking and in writing.

• Receptive Skills: Ability to provide ASL to English interpretation extemporaneously at times, with speed, accuracy, and linguistic features present by a competent English speaker using appropriate terminology and concepts that a professor would be using for classroom lectures, academic activities and University events. Use appropriate registers when interpreting into various contexts.

• Ability to work effectively as a lead interpreter and team with interpreters and professor, fully participating in the task at hand and be willing to accept and provide feedback regularly.

• Ability to recognize and analyze effective interpreting skills and make adjustments when necessary. Be proactive in using down time to prepare for upcoming assignments.

• Working knowledge of computer fundamentals including MS Office, Zoom and other video conferencing.
  Display excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills to maintain effective and mutually supportive working relationships with supervisors, faculty, staff, co-workers and students.

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of ethical behavior set by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Must maintain certification status with a certification eligible for New Mexico licensure, which may include any of the following: RID IC/TC Certification; RID CT or CI Certification; RID/NIC Certification Level or equivalent; BEI Advanced; BEI Master; BEI IV: BEI V: BEI Level IV Intermediary; BEI Level V Intermediary.
• Must maintain valid status with a New Mexico Provisional Signed Language Interpreter's License.
• All regular, non-temporary positions assigned to this classification are represented by a labor union and subject to the terms and conditions of the US-UNM Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Must maintain certification status.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: New Mexico Community Signed Language Interpreter License and at least one certification from this list: RID IC/TC Certification; RID CT or CI Certification; RID/NIC Certification Level or equivalent; BEI Advanced; BEI Master; BEI IV; BEI V; BEI Level IV Intermediary; BEI Level V Intermediary OR New Mexico Provisional Signed Language Interpreter's License and Candidacy for RID or BEI Certification (proof of passing score of the RID knowledge exam or the BEI TEP exam).

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Background in linguistics, some knowledge of languages other than English and ASL
  
• At least 1-3 years’ experience in working with a Deaf professional and/or understand the differences in Designated Interpreting work vs Freelance work..

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.