PURPOSE

To establish the specification for the classification of Sign Language Interpreter, CTC No. 0875, as shown in the attachments.

FACTS

1. The City of Burbank is receiving more frequent requests for sign language interpreters from children enrolled in Park, Recreation, and Community Services classes and sports activities.  

2. To meet its immediate needs the City has been supplying interpreters from LIFESIGNS, a program of the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness, Inc.  Although the service from LIFESIGNS has been excellent, their scheduling constraints have limited their usefulness to some of our clients. 

3. The establishment of the classification of Sign Language Interpreter will provide qualified interpreters on an as needed, temporary basis with scheduling flexibilities that may be more useful to our clients. 

4. The Burbank City Employees� Association will represent this classification and the BCEA has been advised of this establishment. 

5. The Management Services Director and the Park, Recreation, and Community Services Director concur with these recommendations. 

6. This specification conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

7. The Civil Service Board approved this specification on June 4, 2003.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no additional fiscal impact from the establishment of this specification.  In fact, the City will be able to provide the same level of services at a cost savings ($100/hour for LIFESIGNS interpreters vs. $20/hour for temporary City interpreters).

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION

The establishment of this specification will help provide qualified applicants to meet the needs of the City�s clients. The specification also gives the City the flexibility it needs as it recruits in a highly specialized field.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the specification for the classification of Sign Language Interpreter No. 0875 be established, as shown in the attachment.

JOHN K. NICOLL

Management Services Director

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