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 seamless execution and an excellent experience for guests, members, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, excellence, and a servant-hearted approach when supporting weekend and special event needs.

Other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Pay Transparency Notice: At Change Church Inc., we value transparency in compensation. The target hourly rate for the ASL Interpreter position ranges from $35.00 to $45.00 per hour, based on relevant interpreting experience, professional certifications and credentials, demonstrated skill level, live-event and worship interpreting experience, and the nature of the assignment.

This is a part-time/per-service position, with assignments scheduled based on organizational needs and interpreter availability. Hours and frequency of assignments may vary, and a minimum number of weekly hours or assignments is not guaranteed.

Final candidates will be required to successfully complete an ASL interpreting assessment as part of the selection process.

Equal Employment Commitment: Change Church Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicant Rights & Required Notices

Requirements

Qualifications

Education & Professional Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Completion of an Interpreter Training Program (ITP), Interpreter Education Program (IEP), or formal coursework in ASL interpreting, Deaf Studies, linguistics, or a related field strongly preferred.
Minimum of 2 years of professional ASL interpreting experience preferred, with demonstrated experience interpreting in live, public-facing environments.
Previous experience interpreting in church services, worship environments, conferences, concerts, performing arts, or other live-event settings strongly preferred.
Experience interpreting sermons, Scripture, prayer, worship music, presentations, and spontaneous spoken communication is highly desirable.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), National Interpreter Certification (NIC), or another recognized professional interpreting credential preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Demonstrated fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and English, with strong receptive and expressive communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to interpret complex spoken communication accurately and effectively in real time while preserving meaning, tone, intent, context, and emotional expression.
Strong knowledge of Deaf culture, ASL linguistic principles, and culturally appropriate interpreting practices.
Ability to interpret effectively in dynamic live environments involving multiple speakers, music, audience interaction, changing content, and unscripted moments.
Ability to interpret worship music and other artistic content in a way that communicates meaning and intent rather than relying solely on literal word-for-word translation.
Ability to understand and accurately communicate biblical, theological, ministry, and church-related terminology.
Strong preparation and research skills, including the ability to review sermon notes, Scripture, lyrics, service rundowns, speaker information, and unfamiliar terminology before an assignment.
Ability to maintain concentration, accuracy, professionalism, and composure for extended periods.
Ability to collaborate effectively with other interpreters and participate in team-interpreting rotations.
Strong professional judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, flexibility, and ability to fulfill scheduled commitments consistently.
Ability to receive feedback and continually strengthen interpreting effectiveness.
Comfortable working in highly visible, platform-facing environments.

Availability & Work Requirements

Must be available for scheduled Sunday worship services, with additional opportunities for weekday/evening services, conferences, holidays, and special events.
Must be able to arrive at designated call times, which may include pre-service preparation, rehearsal, production meetings, or soundcheck.
Must be able to stand for extended periods and continuously use hands, arms, facial expressions, and body movement required for effective ASL interpretation.
Must be comfortable working in environments with amplified sound, music, stage lighting, large audiences, and live production activity.
Scheduling will be based on interpreter availability and organizational need; a minimum number of weekly assignments is not guaranteed unless otherwise specified.

Selection Requirement

ASL Interpretation Assessment: Final candidates will be required to successfully complete a practical ASL interpreting assessment as part of the selection process. The assessment may include representative Change Church content such as sermon excerpts, worship music, Scripture, prayer, announcements, and spontaneous live communication.

Change Church Inc

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ASL Interpreter