Deaf Translator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Interpreter and Real-time Captioner performs duties under direction of the Director of the Accessible Education Center and the supervision of the Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. Interpreters facilitate communication between Deaf, Hard-of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and hearing consumers. Real-time Captioners provides immediate verbatim translation of spoken English into text using court reporting methods, a steno machine, Realtime technology, software and a laptop computer.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides interpreting services primarily for instructional classes (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) involving standard complexity factors such as the type of communication system needed, difficulty of the subject matter, speed of interpreting required, and number of consumers served simultaneously
• Interpreters most often are scheduled to support one or more students for an assigned class and their assignments may involve serving different students in various classes
• In addition, assignments will involve team interpreting to provide relief opportunities
• Utilize court reporting methods to create Realtime word-for-word text of spoken English for instructional classes (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) and other curriculum related assignments
• Realtime Captioner most often are scheduled to support one or more students for an assigned class and their assignments may involve serving different students in various classes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the process of interpretations; ASL and/or English sign system as required by the consumer or the assignment
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in communicating with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumer
• Knowledge of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) code of professional conduct and a demonstrated knowledge of Deaf Culture
• Knowledge of educational sign language interpreting techniques and delivery including sign to voice oral presentation
• Thorough knowledge of special vocabulary and techniques used in interpreting professional and technical subject matter
• Provide fluent, accurate and specific translation through the knowledge of specific subject matter
• Ability to pass the interpreter evaluation administered at SJSU
• Ability to troubleshoot court reporting steno equipment, Realtime software, and computer systems and equipment
• Ability to adapt interpreting and transliteration skills in a variety of settings such as a classroom, conference, and/or one-on-one meetings
• Ability to adapt all terminology, language, instruction, concept, theory and emotion to convey all aspects of teaching modes and experiences to ensure communication access
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and appropriately handle sensitive communications with consumers and employees
• Ability to adapt terminology, language, instruction, concept, theory and emotion to convey all aspects of the lecture, teaching material and experiences

Required Qualifications

Interpreters I

• Any combination of formal training and relevant documented interpreting experience that demonstrates assurance of the skills appropriate for the level of the assignment(s) is required. Typically, sufficient interpreting training or experience requires graduation from an interpreter training program and/or relevant documented interpreting experience. In addition, a wide acquaintance with academic higher education through attendance at a post-secondary educational institution may be essential to fully comprehend and accurately interpret the concepts, language, and vocabulary used in the assigned instructional, academic, and/or administrative situations

Interpreters II

• Graduation from a four-year college or university may be essential to provide interpreting services at a level required for the position assignments
• Two (2) years of relevant documented interpreting experience in a variety of settings usually are needed to perform at the level required for position assignments.
• Certificate of completion of an accredited Interpreter Preparation Program and National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification is required

Real-Time Captioner I

• Formal training in court reporting and steno methods to meet position requirements is required, with graduation from a court reporting school preferred
• Six (6) to twelve (12) months of experience providing real-time captioning services, preferably in a higher education setting, is necessary to perform at the level required for the translating assignments in the university setting. Additional post-secondary education in a four-year college or university setting may be necessary to fully comprehend and provide accurate translations of the language and vocabulary used in various academic, instructional, and/or administrative situations

Real-Time Captioner I

• Graduation from a four-year college or university in order to effectively understand student needs in various university settings and ensure effective delivery of services
• Two (2) to Three (3) years of relevant experience are required

Preferred Qualifications

Interpreters I and II

• A wide acquaintance with academic higher education through attendance at a post-secondary educational institution may be essential to fully comprehend and accurately interpret the concepts, language, and vocabulary used in the assigned instructional, academic, and/or administrative situations. 
• Two (2) years of post-secondary interpreting utilizing ASL and other various modes of communication as determined by consumer's preference

Real-Time Captioner I and II

• Graduation from a court reporting school preferred
• Two (2) years of post-secondary Realtime captioning

Compensation

Classification: Hourly Interpreter/Real-time Captioner/Computer Aided Transcriber
Anticipated Hiring Range: $50/hour - $65/hour
CSU Salary Range: $18.45/hour - $185.33/hour
San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Certification

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: December 19, 2025 through January 5, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.