JOB SUMMARY
Assists with implementation of the county's programs for language minority families with the goal of developing and maintaining connections between home, school, and community. Must possess native or near-native fluency in English and a second language, including both written and oral communications skills.

Additional Work Days/Hours
Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:

• Evenings/Nights
• Extended hours
• Outside of normal business hours

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists schools with creating a welcoming environment for language minority families and communicating with them in a meaningful way about academic programs, services, and their children’s progress. Interprets for school events and conferences, e.g. back to school nights, parent-teacher conferences, reinstatement conferences.
• Assists language minority families in (1) helping their children improve their academic achievement and (2) becoming active participants in the education of their children through meetings and workshops with parents.
• Assists the School Counselor and/or Administrator, explain to families about state and local assessments including Maryland School Assessment Program, High School Assessment Program, content area Benchmark Assessments as well as school programs, policies and procedures, e.g., AVID, magnet programs, attendance and grading policies, graduation requirements.
• Maintains connections with community stakeholders and provides information to language minority families about the availability and use of these community resources.
• Facilitates communication between school staff and families during periodic home-visits regarding attendance, emergency family needs and crisis situations; informs school and/or community agencies of the needs and concerns of language minority families.
• Attends and actively participates in staff development activities in Central Office and assigned schools when required.
• Translates school-based documents, e.g. progress reports; notes, fliers, and newsletters for language minority families.
• Facilitates school registrations in assigned schools, as well as registration for transfer students.
• Works with Office of School & Family Partnerships to provide support of their programs and initiatives in order to ensure equal access for language minority families.
• Assists the ELL Manager with providing professional development to AACPS staff on language support and services, as well as best practices for working with international families.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Associate's Degree in related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
• Bachelor's Degree in education, social work, interpretation/translation, or other related field from a regionally accredited college or university preferred;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Experience

• One (1) year experience in an educational setting and/or interpreting for language minority families required;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Ability to stay current with the latest information and research on the involvement of language minority families in the education of their children
• Willingness to remain current with the latest information and research on the involvement of language minority families in the education of their children.
• Willingness to learn and implement instructional methods, strategies, and techniques to assist teachers in the education of English language learners.
• Ability to exercise considerable patience, courtesy, tact, good judgment and confidentiality in working with students, teachers, administrators, fellow employees and parents.
• Ability to understand and appreciate cultural diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Language Requirements

• Bilingual/Biliterate in English and a second language (all skills) native or near native required.

Licenses and Certifications
Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required.
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle

CAREER LADDER REQUIREMENTS

Qualification Requirements for Employment in Higher Grade as a New Hire or Transfer requires:

• Two (2) additional years successful experience in related field required.
• Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education, preferably in education, social work, interpretation/translation, or other related field from a regionally accredited college or university required. Degree may be from another country.
• Successful completion of Cross Cultural Communications 40 hour "Community Interpreter" course, including their language proficiency testing required. (N/A if your degree is in interpretation. Employees may also choose another pre-approved similar course if available.)
• Complete at least three professional development trainings related to international parent involvement required. One must be on adult learning theory, unless your degree is in education. Can be through AACPS (on ERO), AACC, or other pre-approved course.
• Provide School & Family Partnerships a portfolio with evidence of Planning, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of at least 4 school-based parent workshops, fully led by the bilingual facilitator; Two translated documents, such as school newsletters, letters to parents, etc.; Participation in at least 3 Office of School & Family Partnership conferences or other countywide events (assisting with recruiting parent participation, interpretation, workshop delivery, etc.); Planning, delivery, and implementation of at least 3 professional development workshops (for teachers, secretaries, etc.) on working with international families; and MELLFIN membership and conference attendance required.

Eligibility for Consideration for Advancement from Lower Grade to Higher Grade requires:

• Two (2) years continuous successful experience in the position at the Lower Grade level.
• Mastery of all responsibilities and duties of the position.
• Achievement of Professional Certification, License, or evidence of course completion in pursuit of such certification or license, if applicable.
• Evidence of completion of additional training that may be recommended by supervisor and/or participation in approved professional development programs or courses, approved in advance by the supervisor. Successful completion of a minimum of one professional development within the last two years is required. Successful completion of job specific professional developments identified on the job description, performance evaluations and/or the supervisor’s documented recommendation are required.
• Provide a portfolio with evidence of planning, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of at least 4 workshops/programs, fully led by the incumbent in this position; Two documents written for public communication by the incumbent; Participation in at least 3 conferences or other countywide events; Planning, delivery, and implementation of at least 3 professional development workshops; and professional membership and conference attendance.
• Achievement of identified goals as they relate to the needs of the district and as established by the supervisor.
• Consistent maintenance of an effective and orderly work environment.
• Consistent compliance with general office procedures such as standards contained in the AACPS Employee Handbook; demonstration of discretion and excellent customer service; regular and punctual attendance; and building dress code, including wearing AACPS ID badge.
• Above Satisfactory overall job performance for the two most recent consecutive years of Performance Ratings.
• Letter of Recommendation written by the supervisor.

Additional Requirements for Advancement from Lower Grade to Higher Grade requires:

• Achievement of a bachelor's degree in applicable field of education, preferably in education, social work, interpretation/translation, or other relevant field. Degree may be from another country.
• Successful completion of Cross Cultural Communications 40 hour "Community Interpreter" course, including their language proficiency testing required. (N/A if your degree is in interpretation. Employees may also choose another pre-approved similar course if available.)
• Complete at least three professional development trainings related to international parent involvement required. One must be on adult learning theory, unless your degree is in education. Can be through AACPS (on ERO), AACC, or other pre-approved course.
• Provide School & Family Partnerships a portfolio with evidence of Planning, delivery, implementation, and evaluation of at least 4 school-based parent workshops, fully led by the bilingual facilitator; Two translated documents, such as school newsletters, letters to parents, etc.; Participation in at least 3 Office of School & Family Partnership conferences or other countywide events (assisting with recruiting parent participation, interpretation, workshop delivery, etc.); Planning, delivery, and implementation of at least 3 professional development workshops (for teachers, secretaries, etc.) on working with international families; and MELLFIN membership and conference attendance required in lieu of similar requirement listed above.

LEADERSHIP ROLE

• N/A

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Standing: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 percent of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• Driving: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Vision
The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• No special vision requirements

Work Environment
Location

• Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 percent of the time

Noise Level

• Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 percent of the time

Weight & Force
Lifting and carrying requirements

• None:

Travel Requirements

• 10% day travel within the county periodic home-visits.

JOB INFORMATION

ORGANIZATION

HR JOB INFORMATION

 VR# 24133