Bergen Community College

Interpreter Agreement forms must be signed and returned to the Resource Accommodation Specialist each semester.
Interpreters are paid according to skill level based on evaluations and testing of such organizations as The Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and The National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.

The following are the current pay rates for interpreters:

• Non-Certified: $65.00 per hour
• RID certified: $75.00 per hour
• Non-Certified Trilingual: $72.50 per hour
• RID Certified Trilingual: 82.50 per hour.

Pay Schedule

• Payroll timesheets are due in the Deaf Services office on the 15th and last day of each month. If you are scheduled for one assignment only, record on Payroll Form the two-hour slotted time. This will meet the two-hour minimum. Actual time will be recorded on the sign-in sheet. If you are scheduled for more than one class, then you will record actual time worked.
• Payment for hours worked on the 1st through 15th of each month will be included in a paycheck dated the end of the month. Payment for hours worked on the 16th through the 30th/31st of each month will be included in a paycheck dated the 15th of the flowing month.
• Cancellations made by Deaf Services with at least two (2) business days’ notice to you will not be counted as “hours worked” and you will not receive payment.

Payment Contingencies

• When BCC is closed due to snow or other emergency, the interpreter WILL NOT BE COMPENSATED.
  The BCC Emergency Notification System information is accessible under https://bergen.edu/about-us/public-safety/
• Interpreters will be notified via email as soon as possible regarding emergency closing.
• College calendars will be posted on the website each semester. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to be aware of holidays and school closing when classes will not be in session.

Timesheets

Timesheets will ONLY be accepted from your Bergen.edu email:

• Timesheets can be emailed to [email protected] as an attachment.
• Please name your timesheets – Last name, First name, Time Period. e.g., McIntosh, Molly 9.1.22-9.15.22.

Communication

• All communication will be done using your Bergen.edu emails due to confidentiality.
• For last minute changes (i.e., lateness or absence); please text using Signal Vine AND email [email protected] as soon as possible!
• Deaf Services emails/texts are monitored between the hours of 8:30am-5:30pm. Emails after 5:30pm will be responded to the next business day.
• Deaf Services does NOT monitor email or texts when the college offices are closed.

Emergencies

• In the rare case of an emergency or injury to a Deaf Services student, stay with the student while the student remains on campus. Be sure the Deaf Services office is contacted as soon as possible.
• Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• In the event an emergency arises, and you cannot interpret your scheduled assignment, contact the Deaf Services office immediately.

Cancellations

• If the student is a “no show”, you need to inform Deaf Services immediately so notice can be given for any other interpreters working the class in question.
• If the student is a “no-show” three times for the same class without notification, services will be suspended, unless otherwise notified. Services will resume for this class upon notice from the Deaf Services office only.
• Daytime assignment: In cases when a day assignment is canceled before the Deaf Services Office is open, please wait until the office opens to be reassigned.
• Evening assignment: When evening classes are canceled after the Deaf Services Office hours, please email Deaf Services immediately. Please wait 15 minutes for a response before departing; if none is received the interpreter is free to leave campus.
• Additional cancellation guidelines include the following: Official cancellation of assignments comes only from the Deaf Services office. If a student or instructor informs you that a scheduled assignment will be canceled, it is your responsibility to contact the Deaf Services office for official cancellation of an assignment.

Interpreter Absence

• If the interpreter is planning to be absent, he/she must submit an email to Deaf Services Office at least two weeks in advance.
• Securing a substitute is the interpreter’s responsibility
• Contact for reporting interpreter absence or/and substitute interpreter arrangement: Email [email protected]

Student Absence

• If a student is absent, report the absence to the Deaf Services Office immediately.
• This applies to all deaf students in the class, regardless of the number of students for whom you are interpreting.

Professor/Instructor Absence

• If a professor for the class you’re covering is absent and the class is canceled, inform the Deaf Services office immediately.

Reminders

• You are expected to be present at your assignment at least five minutes before class begins and wait outside of the classroom for the student.
• Interpreters should introduce themselves to the instructor at the start of the first class.
• If the student is not comfortable, the Interpreters is to explain their role and the process of interpreting to the instructor. If the student requires you to voice for
  him/her, make sure you explain this process also.
• If a student is late, wait ten (10) minutes for every hour of class time outside of the classroom, then report to Deaf Services. The following may occur:
  1. You may be reassigned to interpret in another situation at Bergen
  2. You may be asked to stay on campus in an “on call” capacity
  3. You may be permitted to leave Bergen Community College.
• Feedback forms for quality of interpreter services will be given to students at the end of each semester. This student feedback form will be shared with the interpreters. The student’s name however will remain confidential and will be filed in your personal folder.
• An interpreter’s primary responsibility is to Deaf Services; all other employment opportunities at the college must not conflict with obligations to Deaf Services.