Job Description

Overview

Job Summary — The Interpreter and Real-time Captioner performs duties under the 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 provide immediate verbatim translation of spoken English into text using court reporting methods, a steno machine, Real-time technology, software, and a laptop computer.

Responsibilities

• Provide 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.
• Support one or more students for an assigned class; 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 real-time word-for-word text of spoken English for instructional classes (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) and other curriculum-related assignments.
• Real-time Captioner assignments may involve serving one or more students for an assigned class and serving different students in various classes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the process of interpretation; ASL and/or English sign systems as required by the consumer or assignment.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in communicating with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers.
• 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 knowledge of specific subject matter.
• Ability to pass the interpreter evaluation administered at SJSU.
• Ability to troubleshoot court reporting steno equipment, Real-time 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 terminology, language, instruction, concepts, 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, concepts, 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 assignment level. Typically, sufficient interpreting training or experience requires graduation from an interpreter training program and/or relevant documented interpreting experience. An understanding of academic higher education through attendance at post-secondary educational institutions may be essential to fully comprehend and accurately interpret concepts, language, and vocabulary used in 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 the level required for the position assignments.
• Two (2) years of relevant documented interpreting experience in a variety of settings is usually 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 II

• 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 the consumer’s preference.

Real-Time Captioner I and II

• Graduation from a court reporting school preferred.
• Two (2) years of post-secondary Real-time captioning experience.

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

Benefits and Policies

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, 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

Equal Employment Statement

San José 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, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. Title IX and related laws prohibit discrimination in all education programs and activities operated by the university. Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check is required for employment. A contingent offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information. The standard background check includes criminal check, employment and education verification. Some positions may 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.

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: December 19, 2025 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time

Applications close: See application period above.

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