INTERPRETER FOR THE DEAF
Interpreter for the Deaf is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The requirements come down to an associate's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $58,222 to $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 7 people in the title, led by Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Interpreter for the Deaf appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 4 |
| Department of Education | 3 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 7 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $81,897. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (4)
- Education (3)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of a supervisor in a state department or agency, facilitates communication between deaf, or hard of hearing, and hearing individuals on diverse topics, and under varying situations, by performing highly responsible and complex sign language interpreting; utilizes a variety of modes of communication such as oral interpreting or deaf-blind interpreting; provides technical assistance for the development of programs and activities relevant to the needs of the deaf or hard of hearing community; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- (These examples of work are to be performed by utilizing the language of the deaf, particularly American Sign Language).
- Provides interpretation services to individuals and groups at meetings, conferences, interviews, and under other related circumstances on a variety of topics or situations which may include education, vocation, employment, medical, welfare, community, organization meetings, and others.
- As required, assists in the coordination of interpreting services and other activities relevant to the deaf or hard of hearing community.
- Performs sign language interpretation; renders spoken messages into signs and signs into spoken messages utilizing American Sign Language; accurately relays the mood, tone, and feeling of the deaf or hard of hearing individual, to the hearing individual, and vice versa.
- Performs transliteration services, renders spoken English into one of the Signed English Systems, and the Signed English System into spoken English.
- Performs oral interpretation; presents spoken messages utilizing easily read, clear mouth movements, and may orally repeat the spoken message of the deaf or hard of hearing individual to the hearing individual if necessary.
- Performs tactile interpretation; presents spoken message in American Sign Language using tactile communication.
- Provides technical assistance in the development of workshops, seminars, and other programs to the needs and cultural mediation of the deaf or hard of hearing community.
- Gathers and compiles information for public awareness and other informational brochures and literature.
- Operates a text telephone (TTY) to facilitate telephonic communication between deaf or hard of hearing individuals.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree with a major concentration in an Interpreter for the Deaf Training Program. Coursework must include Deaf Culture, American Sign Language and Interpreting.
Experience
Three (3) year of experience in American Sign Language Interpretation, which must have been gained within the past five (5) years.
<b>SPECIAL SKILLS:</b>
Appointees must be able to communicate effectively in the language of the deaf, American Sign Language, sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the special needs and concerns of the deaf or hard of hearing community.
- Knowledge of American Sign Language.
- Knowledge of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) Code of Ethics.
- Knowledge of the linguistic and cultural differences affecting the deaf and hard of hearing community.
- Ability to read and interpret federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the deaf or hard of hearing community, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and P.L. 1983 c.564, an act providing for interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing in official proceedings.
- Ability to read and interpret information relevant to the federal, state, and local government organizations providing services to the deaf or hard of hearing community.
- Ability to accurately perform interpretation services for the deaf or hard of hearing both simultaneously and consecutively, in a variety of different situations, and to function as a staff interpreter.
- Ability to make cultural adjustments and to mediate when dealing with different deaf and hard of hearing cultures.
- Ability to successfully facilitate communication between deaf or hard of hearing individuals utilizing a TTY.
- Ability to gather and compile information related to the field of sign language and interpretation.
- Ability to provide technical assistance in the development and presentation of workshops and seminars, and in the coordination of interpreting services.
- Ability to determine the specific communicative skills required to interpret for the deaf or hard of hearing individual.
- Ability to accurately determine, interpret, and relay the mood, tone, and feeling of the deaf or hard of hearing individual to the hearing individual and vice versa.
- Ability to interpret utilizing a variety of skills including American Sign Language, oral interpretation, tactile interpretation, and Signed English Systems.
- Ability to communicate in sign language and AMSLAN.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Bachelor's or Master's degree which includes or is supplemented by the coursework cited above is acceptable in meeting the education requirement.
An Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree which includes or is supplemented by a certificate of completion from a recognized Interpreter for the Deaf Training Program is acceptable in meeting the special coursework.
Appointees must possess a National Associate of the Deaf Certificate (NAD), Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certificate (RID) OR National Interpreter Credentials (NIC).
The responsibility for ensuring appointees possess one of the above stated certifications rests with the Appointing Authority.