Sign Language Specialist (OPEN)

Job Title

Sign Language Specialist (OPEN)

Location

Europe

 

Job Description Summary

Language development (including translation) for a particular sign language (SL) or a cluster of sign languages, or language program services for a varied group of SL language development programs throughout a large region. The Sign Language Specialist role is intended to cover a wide range of field situations which may include traditional language programs in which the Sign Language Specialist has a primary leadership role, programs in which local Deaf people or organizations assume primary leadership and the SIL worker is in an advisory or facilitative role, multi-agency projects in which SIL may or may not provide leadership, or as part of a team providing language program services to programs conducted by many different organizations.
This standard job is currently defined in very broad terms in order to allow maximum flexibility in field assignment, since SIL’s involvement with sign languages is relatively new and continues to change fairly rapidly. (Over time, this role may be subdivided into several more specific roles according to specialization or degree of experience required.) One consequence of this breadth is that greater care must be taken when crafting each position description to be sure that the worker characteristics and training are adequately specified.
Sign Language Specialists will usually be assigned to specific regions within the Global Sign Languages Team, but may be asked to provide services in other regions when needed. Bringing together a team of people who can sign is especially important for Deaf workers.

Job Description

Advertising Statement:
We are seeking people who are interested in helping encourage sign language development, including translation, around the world. Candidates for this entry level position should understand that this is the first level of orientation and training before being placed in other roles. SIL is a  faith-based nonprofit organization committed to serving language  communities worldwide as they build capacity for sustainable language development. GSLT is the SIL area that specifically serves Deaf communities.

Position Responsibilities:
In general, promotes language development in one or more SLs with a goal of maximizing local Deaf involvement and ownership. Networks with sign language workers in other regions and organizations. Regularly updates their knowledge and skills as job responsibilities change. Specific responsibilities will vary depending on the assignment. Here are some typical ones: •If assigned to a particular sign language community, learns the language and local Deaf culture, and works with users of that sign language to gather and analyze language data, utilizing any previous studies that have been done. •If part of a general sign languages support services team, learns one or more of the sign languages in the region and/or an appropriate variety of International Sign or ASL—whatever is needed to support their work. •Works with local Deaf communities to develop language materials for publication (dictionaries, grammars, translated Scripture/Bible storying) and locally-acceptable means of distributing them (which normally will include video but may also include line drawings, animation or even a written form for the language if there is local interest and support for literacy). •May be actively involved in translation in a variety of ways. •May be involved in the program planning process. •May provide technical support with software and hardware.

KSA Competency:
In general, this role requires very similar competencies to those who work with spoken languages, except that competencies in some domain areas and in technological tools need to be focused on sign languages. Uses a natural sign language at a level equivalent to at least a year of study at a quality postsecondary program (preferably more) and interacts positively in culturally-appropriate ways with some Deaf community (this assessment preferably done by Deaf people). Beyond that, the competencies required for a particular position should be identified based on the specific responsibilities involved in the field assignment 

Education and Experience:
Bachelors Degree or equivalent knowledge Basic understanding of the ability to communicate in a Sign Language. Understanding of Deaf cultures. Completion of the GSLT Orientation and Training program or equivalent experience Completion of ICC (Intercultural Communications) course or equivalent

Training and Orientation:
Determined by the  Global Sign Languages Team Director (or his/her designee). The GSLT Director should be consulted early in the assignment process so that he/she and the GSLT Leadership Team can assist in finding a good assignment and can identify needed training for that assignment. Options for acquiring the necessary competencies may include a combination of training provided by SIL schools, life experience, training available from other institutions, and in-service training on the field. Education required for specific assignments can be learned through formal studies, by acquiring additional knowledge and skills on the job, and regularly updating skills and knowledge with further formal training. Typical assignments could require a working knowledge and ability to apply competencies that are acquired in standard domain courses such as the following (any one assignment will almost certainly not require all of them; some assignments may require training not listed here or additional training in these areas beyond the norm): • SL Sociolinguistics • SL Phonetics • SL Phonology • Grammar I • SL Morphosyntax • Language and Culture Learning • Cultural Anthropology • Field Methods (preferably using a sign language) • SL Technological Tools • Semantics • Translation • Language Assessment (including specifics of sign language survey) • Program Planning Certain other competencies may be required in some assignments that are not currently covered in any standard course, such as: • training across cultures • participatory methods • organizations and how to relate to them • Hearing SL workers who will need to learn a spoken language, e.g. a national language, may benefit by taking (spoken-language) Phonetics. Specific educational requirements will be determined in conversation with GSLT leadership and will be based on the specific assignment that the candidate is suited for.

Position ID: 59745