POSITION TITLE: Bilingual Community Liaison

BOARD APPROVAL DATE:  January 25, 2024

DEPARTMENT: English Language Development                         

REPORTS TO:  Supervisor of English Language Learners                                       

LOCATION:      All K-12 Schools                         

POSITION GOAL: A Bilingual Community Liaison is responsible for providing communication between the district/school community and bilingual families, interpreting for school personnel and families at school functions, assisting school staff with translations of forms, newsletters, and other communication with families, and working with students with various types of testing, if necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists parents in locating information and connecting with appropriate resources to support and increase student achievement; guides parents to internal and external support systems in and outside of the district; keeps parents informed of procedural safeguards; refers parents to community resources and public service agencies for assistance as necessary.

1. Conduct phone calls in Spanish to the home of the student to:
   • Assist and interpret the concerns and questions for non-English speaking individuals who enter the building with/without appointments.
   • Assist administrators, teachers, students, security department, secretarial and other staff with pertinent and necessary school related issues within the liaison’s assigned buildings.
   • Assist assigned school’s nurse by informing parents of any medical needs for the student such as: dental exam, eye exam, update immunization records.
   • Identify the reason of the absentee of student.
   • Schedule parent/teacher conferences
2. Serve as an Interpreter for the following events:
   • Kindergarten orientation/conferences
   • Orientation for new students who arrive daily at assigned schools
   • Assistance with student registration as needed
   • Assistance scheduling student registration appointments as needed
   • School functions
   • Parent/Teacher conferences
   • IEP meetings for special education students.
   • Conferences for the re-evaluation of a special education student
   • Re-testing a special education student (i.e. speech, hearing impaired)
   • To assist new families in understanding the rules of the schools in our district
   • Expulsion hearings
3. Provide the following other services:
   • Serve as an interpreter for the PSSA Testing as needed
   • Follow up with families that called for information or help (incoming or outgoing calls).
   • Facilitate cultural awareness for the district staff and parent/guardians
   • Facilitate an understanding of community services and opportunities (i.e. educational and career)
4. Translate different forms and communications as needed for:
   • Superintendent’s Office
   • Business Office
   • Special Education

1. Translate various forms for assigned schools (i.e., teacher or general notification letters, other documents, etc.)
2. Maintain a procedure manual for this position, reviewing annually and submitting any revision to supervisor at time of evaluation.
3. Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
4. Perform any additional duties assigned by the Supervisor of English Language Learners, his/her designee or his/her supervisors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To successfully perform this position, a person must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Minimum qualifications are listed below:

1. Minimum of a high school diploma
2. Bilingual in Spanish (speaking and writing)
3. A high standard of ethics with the courage of one’s convictions is required.
4. Expert skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet navigation, and data management
5. Ability to work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, parents, community and others in the delivery of effective services and the resolution of problems.
6. Excellent organization, management, oral and written communications in English and Spanish
7. Outstanding human relations skills
8. Current Act 24 (82), Act 34, Act 114, Act 151 and Act 168 clearances, pre-employment drug test and physical with TB test.
9. Ability to demonstrate diplomacy when dealing with community members, parents, teachers, staff and external contacts, and to maintain confidentiality.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

1. 12-month position
2. Salary and benefits according to the agreement between the Hazleton Area School District and the HAESPA.

The Hazleton Area School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.