State of Washington Classified Job Specification
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER 2
Class Series Concept
Definition
Positions function as part of a team to provide impartial and accurate interpretation by relaying American Sign Language, Sign Systems, and Spoken English for hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind individuals. Positions serve as a liaison between deaf or hard-of-hearing persons and hearing persons.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the journey-level of the series. Incumbents provide the full range of interpretation services for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and is distinguished from the Sign Language Interpreter 1 by the requirement to interpret more difficult, complex and technical information. Incumbents will tutor students on an intermittent basis as required in particular courses.
Typical Work
Provides in-class interpretation and transliteration services using sign language communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in a variety of settings, which may require presentation and exchange of highly complex and technical information;
Assesses consumers needs and the interpreting situation before and during assignments and makes adjustments as needed;
Assists in maintaining and developing materials for interpreter skill development and evaluation;
Communicates with hearing consumers explaining the role of the sign language interpreter;
Performs the duties of the lower level in the series;
Performs other duties as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Ability to: receive, process and deliver information while maintaining composure and effectively managing the flow of information; identify the preferred modalities/preferences of individuals in the conversation; incorporate visual descriptions in addition to interpreting process, including alternative communication strategies to convey complex concepts; interpret body language; monitor for message accuracy through any method, including lip-reading; perform sight translation of standard forms and instructions; adapt to unexpected changes; modify interpreting approach to be flexible in the use of ASL features and other gestural strategies; ensure the meaning is conveyed without editing, summarizing, adding meaning or omitting information; interpret and transliterate between the ASL and sign systems and spoken English at a speed required by the assignment, which may involve a variety of settings such as a classroom, conference, and/or one-on-one meetings; work with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Three years of experience facilitating communication between deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing persons, and hearing persons in a variety of settings;
Current valid certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and demonstrated skill for application of the RID Code of Professional Conduct;
For interpreters serving in K-12 educational settings, Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment performance score of 4.5 or higher;
Two-year college degree from an accredited Interpreter Training Program;
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Class Specification History
Revise Title & Class: 2-19-76
Revise MQ: 7-2-90
Revised new class code: (formerly 4465) effective July 1, 2007
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
New title (formerly Deaf Interpreter 2); created class series concept; revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, and desirable qualifications; base range increase from 41 to 50: adopted June 23, 2025; effective: July 1, 2025.
