American Sign Language Interpreter

Job Description

Grade Range/Job Status: Special Assignment
Time: Part Time / Non Exempt
Reports To: Customer Service Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A
Pay Range: $20-$28/hour commensurate with skills and experience

Overview:
Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit organization based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Founded in 1978, Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to each other and the natural world through shared outdoor adventures. Our programs and mission seek to break down barriers to outdoor access in order to facilitate meaningful connections to both community and the outdoors, while ensuring that participation in outdoor activities and spaces is inclusive and reflective of the communities we serve. Wilderness Inquiry connects people of all ages to the outdoors through domestic and international adventure travel and educational programs that promote a greater connection to the natural world and to the values of stewardship that protect the environment that we live, work, and travel in.

Position Summary:
Wilderness Inquiry is seeking a part-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter to facilitate communication between users of English and users of ASL. This person needs exceptional receptive and expressive language skills. This individual is expected to keep a regular, ongoing schedule to ensure reliable communication. Although communication will primarily take place in an indoor environment, there may be times for site-based work outdoors given the mission and work of the organization. Most of the work will take place in-person at 325 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, MN.

Wilderness Inquiry Beliefs and Values:
At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide sign language interpreting services.
Learn Wilderness Inquiry terminology and content to ensure clear, effective communication.
Collaborate with Wilderness Inquiry staff to ensure an inclusive language environment.
Provide training as needed around best practices for communication between English and ASL.
Assist in other areas as needed, such as editing / review of documents for proper English grammar, etc.
Attends the workplace regularly per the schedule, reports to work punctually and follows a work schedule to keep up with the demands of the site.

The final schedule may be negotiated; however we are looking for 7-10 hours per week that primarily occur on an ongoing, predictable schedule. There may be additional work available on an as needed basis. Ideally, this individual would be available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings for a few hours.

* Please note: these are not intended to encompass all roles and responsibilities of this position; other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the supervisor.

Qualities we are looking for in this position:

• Ability to accurately interpret spoken language to sign language and interpret sign to spoken language in different contexts
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace
• Passion for Wilderness Inquiry’s mission
• Professionalism and ability to use discretion
• Excellent computer and database skills
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Willingness to listen and learn
• Flexible, persistent, and attentive to detail

Minimum Requirements:
B.A. or equivalent degree, or a high school diploma and 1-2 years working in a professional environment with similar responsibilities
Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL)
Ability to use Zoom, Google Meet, and other platforms in the case of needing to provide virtual interpretation services

Formal certification is not required for this position.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; talk and hear; and use hands to handle, or touch objects or controls. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee might occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.