Primary Purpose:
Job Summary: The job of the Language Services Liaison for the Reynolds School District is to serve as a resource to district personnel, families and students requiring assistance with cross-language communication. The liaison assists with district/school to home communication to keep parents well informed about general information concerning the school, the school district, and any issue of discipline, truancy, attendance or other school related matters. The District Language Liaison travels from school to school and sometimes may be expected to assist with home visits. This is a Spanish/English bilingual position.
Essential Job Functions:
Translate and interpret for the purpose of assisting students, teachers, parents, administrators, office staff, counseling staff, school nurses, etc. in communicating effectively.
Provide language support by phone to RSD schools to assist students, teachers, administrators, office staff, nurses, counselors, and parents in communicating effectively.
Work with counselors and parents regarding placement information and scheduling conferences and meetings for parents for whom English is not their native language.
Maintain regular and prompt attendance.
Attend Department Liaisons’ meetings to stay fully informed about District and Liaisons’ activities and efforts, to improve liaison skills, as well as to maintain frequent lines of communication.
Assist liaison team with the coordination of community and parent events.
Interpret district-wide for special education meetings, expulsion hearings, developmental interviews, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, School Board meetings, and other meetings and events as assigned.
May be asked to assist (after appropriate training) with test and language assessment under the direct supervision of a Special Education professional for the purpose of evaluating students’ academic, cognitive and language ability in their native language.
Maintain flexible work hours to accommodate school and community communication and translation needs at evening meetings and events.
Other Job Functions:
Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
Qualifications:
Experience Required: Prior job-related experience and/or any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job including working as a bilingual aide or teacher, working directly with the community (i.e., community resource aide), or coordinating family education programs and training parents.
Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities Required:
Skills to: perform written translation and oral interpretation in the target language; recognize and perform the three types of interpretation: consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation; use standard English in verbal or written form; use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, perform basic clerical functions; perform basic arithmetic calculations; operate standard office equipment including computer, telephone, printer, copier, and presentation equipment; effectively use Microsoft Office computer applications including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel; communicate effectively and with proficiency both orally in person and by phone and in writing in both English and the target language.
Knowledge of: English and Target Language (written and oral).
Translating:
Translating a written text is a different skill from oral interpretation and it cannot be assumed that a person capable of one can therefore do the other.
Ability to: manage and prioritize multiple tasks to schedule, plan, and manage a number of activities, meetings, and/or events simultaneously; gather, collate, and/or classify data; prepare and maintain accurate records; work with diverse individuals and/or groups; maintain flexibility to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; effectively lead, guide, and coordinate the activities of others to reach desired outcomes; independently interpret data within defined guidelines and utilize and analyze the information to reach conclusions and make recommendations; problem solve to identify issues and create action plans; establish and maintain constructive relationships; adapt quickly to changing work priorities; communicate effectively with culturally diverse populations, including those with limited English proficiency; present information effectively to groups and individuals; maintain confidentiality; understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet scheduled deadlines and read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies.
Significant Physical Abilities include: standing and walking for prolonged periods, sitting for extended periods of time with extended periods of working on the computer and the telephone. Work activities may include bending, stooping, kneeling and occasional lifting of items weighing 20 to 50 pounds; reaching/handling/keyboarding, talking/hearing/ conversation, near/far/visual acuity/depth perception with or without accommodation.
Extensive travel within the district to multiple school sites to manage meetings, events, and activities as well as some travel outside the district are involved in this work.
Education and Training Required:
Associates degree or 2-year college certification or equivalent.
High School diploma or equivalent.
Equivalency: High school graduation or equivalent; and any combination of experience which includes working as a bilingual aide or teacher, working directly with the community (i.e., community resource aide), or coordinating family education programs and training parents.
Language Skills Required:
Must be bilingual or multilingual in required languages – Spanish and English.
Licensing/Special Requirements: Valid Driver's License & evidence of insurability, Oregon Fingerprint & Criminal Background Check clearance.
Primary Location ADMIN
Salary Range $18.77 - 26.72 plus additional 4% bilingual stipend / Hourly
Shift Type Full Time
