Interpreter Services

Call for Interpreters
UTSA Policies for Interpreters
Roles and Responsibilities of Interpreters
Resources for UTSA Interpreters and Captionists

Call for Interpreters

UTSA Interpreter Services is seeking certified, professional interpreters for part-time positions as classroom interpreters and substitutes. Experience interpreting at a four-year college or university is preferred

UTSA provides :

• Highly Competitive rates for all levels of certification
• Block scheduling
• Prep time opportunities for upper level courses
• Teaming opportunities for extended work hours or classes
• Textbooks

If interested, please contact Beatrice Amaro-Chavez, Interpreter Coordinator at (210) 458-7757 or e-mail beatrice.chavez@utsa.edu to schedule an interview.

UTSA Policies for Interpreters

Textbooks
The interpreter coordinator can provide a letter of authorization to permit interpreters to check out a desk copy of textbooks from the bookstore on campus. The interpreter should take this letter to the Book Information desk in the bookstore. The interpreter is responsible for returning all textbooks to the bookstore upon completion of the assignment.

Team Interpreting
Team interpreting may be provided for assignments that exceeds 1 1/2 hours.

The following guidelines should be observed:

• Both interpreters should stay for the entire time scheduled.
• Teams should be ready to provide back-up support at any time.
• UTSA does not provide additional compensation for interpreters when an interpreting partner is absent.

When one member of an interpreting team is absent, a replacement will be sent if one is available. On those rare occasions when a substitute is not available, the interpreter should discuss the situation with the instructor and request that s/he provide an additional break, if possible.

Prep Time
Paid preparation time will be considered on a case by case basis for classes that involve unusually complex concepts or technical terminology. All requests for preparation time must be approved by the interpreter coordinator. Typically one hour of preparation time per week is provided for a three-hour class.

Time Reporting
Time sheets are available in the Interpreter Services office. Interpreters should place completed time sheets in their individual folders by 5:00 p.m. on the first working 15th and last working day of each month. The time sheet should indicate the number of hours worked on each date.

Interpreters will be paid for a minimum of two hours per visit to campus. When interpreting for more than one class, interpreters will be paid for breaks that are 1 1/2 hours in length or less.

Request for Replacement by the Interpreter
In order to ensure the best possible services for our students, the interpreter is responsible for determining whether or not s/he is able to perform the duties required by the assignment. If, at any time, the interpreter decides that s/he does not have the skills necessary for assignment, s/he should contact the interpreter coordinator to make alternate arrangements.

Interpreter Evaluations
At the end of the semester evaluation forms will be sent to interpreters, students, and faculty. Students may also complete an evaluation in the middle of the semester to provide useful feedback for the interpreter. Interpreters can request less formal and/or more frequent feedback from the student or interpreter coordinator.

Interpreter No-Shows
Interpreters should give the interpreter coordinator advance notice as soon as possible if they will be unable to perform an assignment. If a student is in a class in which the interpreter has not shown up, s/he should wait ten minutes, then contact the interpreter coordinator. A substitute will be sent if one is available. All interpreter no-shows will be documented and appropriate follow-up will be taken.

Student No-Shows
If a student does not show up at the beginning of class, the interpreter should wait for fifteen minutes. Interpreters are encouraged to use their own judgment on the least disruptive place to wait for students.

In order to be paid in the event of a no-show, the interpreter must contact the interpreter coordinator immediately after the waiting period is over. The interpreter may be asked to accept another assignment. If another assignment is available and the interpreter chooses not to accept it, the interpreter will not be paid for the regular assignment on that day.

Repetitive Motion Syndrome
Interpreters are encouraged to report any interpreting-related pain to the interpreter coordinator. Every effort will be made to provide an environment in which the interpreter can work comfortably. Interpreters are encouraged to do everything necessary to prevent interpreting related injuries.

Roles and Responsibilities of Interpreters

Professional & Ethical Behavior
The interpreter's role at UTSA is to facilitate communication between the hearing impaired student and the hearing persons in his/her educational environment.

Interpreters should follow the Principles for Interpreter Behavior as outlined in the Board of Evaluators for Interpreters Handbook.

The interpreter may have to educate the student on the proper use of interpreters since some students may not have used interpreter services in the past. Interpreters should keep in mind that independence is the final goal for the student and should help to promote independence at every opportunity. Please see the UTSA Interpreter Handbook (page 1, link requires free Acrobat Reader) for more detail.

Appearance
Interpreters should dress in a manner appropriate to their status as professionals in an university environment. Attire should be clean, neat, and not distracting. It is suggested that interpreters wear clothes that are comfortable, in solid colors that contrast with skin color. Business attire should be worn when called upon to interpret for formal occasions.

Responsibilities

1. Interpret everything that is signed and spoken as well as pertinent extraneous noises.
2. Make the instructor and student aware that you may be a few words or a sentence behind. Discuss with them how the student will interject questions and comments without interrupting the class.
3. If the student looks away from the interpreter for short period of time to take notes, look for a page, rest their eyes, etc., the interpreter is expected to retain the information missed. Once eye contact is re-established, then the information will be given to the student. If the student is choosing not to pay attention, the interpreter will continue to interpret and is not responsible for repeating missed information.
4. Be prepared for assignments. The interpreter may need to get hand outs from the instructor, read the textbook, talk with the instructor and/or student before or after class, etc. in order to be prepared to interpret the class.
5. Interpret cultural information. Interpreting is not a matter of conveying words, but ideas. It is the responsibility of the interpreter to facilitate the exchange of ideas. Culture is an inseparable aspect of those ideas. Cultural information must be conveyed to be able to make an accurate interpretation.
6. Direct questions to the appropriate person. Questions directed at the interpreter intended for the instructor or deaf person should be directed towards that person.
7. Use the interpreter coordinator as a resource to help with problem-solving as needed.