American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Internship

Oregon’s nonpartisan Legislative Policy and Research Office (LPRO) seeks a highly motivated student to serve as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter intern during the 2027 legislative session. Senior students who are enrolled in an interpreting program at a qualified educational institution are encouraged to apply.

About the opportunity:

The ASL interpreter internship will be approximately three months in length and will take place between January and June 2027, during the 2027 legislative session. The specific start and end dates will be determined based on program and placement needs. The intern is expected to work approximately 25 hours per week in Salem.

The intern will gain experience in the functions of a nonpartisan staff interpreter in a state legislative setting, including public testimony and remote proceedings. The intern will work collaboratively with LPRO’s Language Access Team and be exposed to a variety of legislative topics while developing professional interpreting skills. The intern will be assigned a mentor who will provide professional growth and networking opportunities.

About the office:

LPRO’s mission is to provide professional, nonpartisan staffing, analysis, and research that support and inform the policymaking process. Our highest priority is to ensure that Oregon’s legislature has access to relevant and timely information on public policy issues of interest to the state.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate for the ASL interpreter internship is eager to learn about the legislative process and to develop their interpreting skills in the legislative setting. They have strong proficiency in ASL and spoken English, familiarity with Deaf culture, an understanding of professional ethics, and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally. They are also able to maintain confidentiality and nonpartisanship and work collaboratively as part of LPRO’s interpreting team.

For complete details about this internship opportunity, including the specific qualifications, please review the position description here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a senior in an ASL interpreting program at a qualified educational institution

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Strong desire to learn about the legislative process through hands-on experience

• Ability to work effectively in a nonpartisan role and serve individuals with differing political and policy perspectives

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The successful candidate for the ASL interpreter internship will have the following at the start of the internship:

Knowledge of:

• ASL and spoken English grammar, vocabulary, and syntax

• Deaf culture, including relevant social norms, history, and values

• Professional interpreting ethics, including neutrality, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest

Skill in:

• Communicating effectively in both ASL and spoken English

• Preparing for interpreting assignments, including researching unfamiliar concepts and terminology

• Working collaboratively as part of an interpreting team

• Receiving and incorporating feedback to further develop interpreting skills

• Computer applications, including the Microsoft suite

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally in person and in writing

• Learn and accurately convey specialized terminology and concepts

• Maintain attention to detail

• Maintain confidentiality

• Remain nonpartisan in a highly political environment

• Work effectively with people with differing perspectives and communication needs

• Collaborate with LPRO team members

TO APPLY:

Please complete the online application and upload a current resume, cover letter, and one letter of recommendation from an instructor, advisor, program coordinator, or other representative of your college, university, or interpreting program. In your cover letter, please share your background and interest in governmental agency interpreting.

• IF YOU ARE NOT A STATE EMPLOYEE: To apply for this position, follow the "Apply" link and complete the application & questions online. If this is your first time applying in our new system "Workday", you will need to create a new user profile. You can even drag and drop your resume into Workday and it will read and generate your Work history! Be sure to attach a cover letter, resume, and a letter of recommendation.

• CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using the Career app on your Home Page. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).

• Attach your current cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation. Applications submitted without all three documents may not be considered.

• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to you through this system. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.

• This announcement closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

• Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. If you are requesting veterans' preference, you may receive an additional questionnaire in your Workday account. To ensure your privacy, we are asking that you complete the Veterans’ Questionnaire and attach your qualifying military documents at that time. This questionnaire will be sent to your Workday account after you submit your application. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before the application deadline; extensions may be granted if necessary and reasonable. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources. Or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

• The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum and desired skills listed above.

• Work Authorization: The Oregon State Legislature does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. The Oregon State Legislature is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

• If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Aimee Steketee, Human Resource Analyst, at aimee.steketee@oregonlegislature.gov or (503) 986-1373.

• The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity.