ASL Interpreter

Description Position Overview: The ASL Interpreter for Worship & Live Events provides professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation to ensure Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees have meaningful and equitable access to Change Church worship services, ministry experiences, and designated live events. This role interprets spoken and musical content in real time, including sermons, worship, prayer, Scripture, announcements, hosting, ministry moments, and other elements of the live experience. The interpreter must communicate not only the words being spoken, but also the meaning, intent, tone, context, and flow of communication while maintaining the integrity of the original message. Because Change Church services are dynamic and highly relational, the ASL Interpreter must be comfortable navigating live environments that may include multiple communicators, music, spontaneous ministry moments, audience interaction, cultural references, humor, changes to planned content, and fast-paced transitions. This is a part-time/per-service position designed to support a broader pool of qualified ASL interpreters who may be scheduled based on service and event needs. Core Competencies

• Interpretation Excellence: Demonstrates strong receptive and expressive ASL skills and the ability to interpret complex spoken communication accurately, naturally, and in real time.
• Live-Environment Agility: Remains composed and effective when content, speakers, timing, or service elements change unexpectedly.
• Cultural Competency: Demonstrates a strong understanding of Deaf culture, ASL linguistic principles, and culturally appropriate communication.
• Preparation & Attention to Detail: Takes responsibility for reviewing materials, researching unfamiliar content, and arriving prepared to interpret at a high level.
• Collaborative Execution: Works effectively with fellow interpreters, staff, production teams, ministry leaders, and other stakeholders to deliver a seamless attendee experience. Character Traits
• Reliable: Can be trusted to arrive prepared, on time, and ready to fulfill scheduled assignments.
• Adaptable: Adjusts quickly to changes without allowing unexpected circumstances to compromise interpretation quality.
• Discreet: Handles sensitive conversations and information with maturity, wisdom, and confidentiality.
• Humble: Receives feedback well, remains teachable, and prioritizes effective communication over personal visibility.
• Service-Oriented: Approaches accessibility with genuine care for people and a commitment to helping others fully participate in the Change Church experience. Spiritual Responsibilities
• Be a born-again Christian who conducts personal and professional affairs in accordance with the Bible and maintains a lifestyle consistent with Scripture.
• Understand that every Change Church employee contributes to the mission of helping people change their lives through the Gospel so they can change the world and is considered a spiritual leader within the church. Essential Functions and Responsibilities General Expectations
• Serve in excellence by being early and prepared for all scheduled meetings.
• Establish and foster exemplary relationships with staff, non-staff workers, church members, vendors, and the community, representing Change Church with integrity, professionalism, and warmth.
• Demonstrate a servant’s heart and a willingness to support organizational needs beyond assigned workflows when appropriate.
• Contribute to cultivating a healthy, honor-driven, growth-oriented, and spiritually strong organizational culture. Live Service & Event Interpretation
• Provide accurate, clear, and culturally appropriate ASL interpretation during assigned Change Church worship services, conferences, special services, and live events.
• Interpret sermons, Scripture, prayer, announcements, hosting, transitions, testimonies, ministry moments, and other spoken communication in real time.
• Preserve the meaning, intent, tone, context, and emotional expression of the original communication while interpreting.
• Adapt effectively to communicators with varying speaking styles, pacing, vocabulary, cultural references, and presentation approaches.
• Remain prepared to interpret spontaneous or unscripted moments that may occur during live ministry environments.
• Maintain appropriate positioning, visibility, professionalism, and platform awareness throughout the service or event. Worship & Musical Interpretation
• Interpret worship songs and other musical elements in a manner that communicates the meaning, emotion, theme, and intent of the content.
• Review lyrics and worship materials in advance when provided.
• Collaborate with the appropriate worship, production, or service teams when preparation is necessary for complex musical or creative elements.
• Maintain sensitivity to the difference between literal translation and meaningful interpretation of musical and worship content. Preparation & Service Readiness
• Review available sermon notes, Scriptures, song lyrics, service rundowns, speaker information, event materials, terminology, names, and other resources before assigned services or events.
• Conduct necessary preparation and research to accurately interpret unfamiliar terminology, theological concepts, names, cultural references, or specialized content.
• Arrive at the designated call time and remain available through the completion of the assigned service or event.
• Participate in required pre-service meetings, rehearsals, soundchecks, production walkthroughs, or interpreter briefings when applicable.
• Communicate proactively when additional materials or clarification are needed to prepare effectively for an assignment. Interpreter Team Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with other ASL interpreters assigned to services and events.
• Participate in team interpreting and appropriate interpreter rotations during extended services, conferences, or events.
• Support smooth transitions between interpreters without disrupting the attendee experience.
• Receive and provide professional feedback that strengthens interpretation quality and consistency.
• Help establish consistency in recurring Change Church terminology, ministry language, names, and commonly used expressions. Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Guest Experience
• Help create a welcoming and accessible worship environment for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing attendees.
• Demonstrate respect for Deaf culture and the linguistic diversity that exists within the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while interacting with attendees.
• Communicate accessibility concerns or barriers to the appropriate Change Church leader so they can be addressed.
• Partner with church leadership as appropriate to continually strengthen the accessibility and effectiveness of the ASL experience. Professional Standards & Confidentiality
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive, pastoral, personal, or organizational information encountered while interpreting.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and appropriate boundaries in all interpreting assignments.
• Interpret faithfully without intentionally adding, omitting, altering, or editorializing the speaker's message.
• Maintain a high standard of reliability, punctuality, preparedness, and professionalism.
• Follow applicable professional interpreting ethics and standards of conduct.
• Represent Change Church professionally when interacting with attendees, guests, speakers, staff, volunteers, and other interpreters. Weekend Worship Experience & Special Event Support
• Support weekend worship experiences, church-wide conferences, special events, and other organizational initiatives as assigned based on operational needs.
• Provide functional, logistical, technical, guest experience, or event support consistent with the responsibilities of the role.
• Collaborate across departments and campuses to support s