About the Employer
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students.
In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment.
OCDE’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.
In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment.
OCDE’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.
Job Summary
OCDE's Regional Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) Program is currently recruiting for Substitute Educational Interpreters for the Deaf for the 2025/2026 school year. Our interpreters work in collaboration with Site Liaisons, Mainstream Resource Teachers, and staff to provide manual and oral interpretation/transliterating services for D/HH students in accordance with their Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and program needs. Substitute Educational Interpreters for the Deaf will interpret/transliterate tutoring sessions for students in assigned subject matter areas to reinforce class lessons, assist with class and homework assignments, and interpret/transliterate lesson plans, educational activities, and homework. Interpreters must have a demonstrated proficiency in sign language skills to also interpret for faculty/staff members, parent meetings, IEPs, and after-school events, if needed. Interpreters are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Required Documents
There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application.
1. Please elaborate on your experience and training in educational settings with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students participating in Special Education Programs.
1. Please elaborate on your experience and training in educational settings with Deaf and Hard of Hearing students participating in Special Education Programs.
Requirements / Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
• Completion of at least two years of study at a college or university with major coursework in interpreter training, education, and sign language or a closely related field.
• One year of responsible interpretation experience, preferably within an educational setting.
• In accordance with California's Educational Interpreter Regulations, Interpreters must possess a valid certification issued by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Level 4, or any of the following recognized sign language assessments: NIC (National Interpreter Certification), EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment), ESSE (Educational Sign Skills Evaluation), or NAD (National Association of the Deaf).
• Completion of at least two years of study at a college or university with major coursework in interpreter training, education, and sign language or a closely related field.
• One year of responsible interpretation experience, preferably within an educational setting.
• In accordance with California's Educational Interpreter Regulations, Interpreters must possess a valid certification issued by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Level 4, or any of the following recognized sign language assessments: NIC (National Interpreter Certification), EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment), ESSE (Educational Sign Skills Evaluation), or NAD (National Association of the Deaf).
Comments and Other Information
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application.
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA