25-26 - Kennedy/Mendota - Spanish Bilingual Resource Specialist - 0.748 FTE

Kennedy Elementary

Mendota Elementary

Compensation: $26.84 - 55.51 Hourly Wage

Employment Type: Non-Exempt

MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants for openings for the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.

Why You Should Work with MMSD!

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.

In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.

Becoming a Model School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework , and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.

We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.

About Our District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.

Purpose Of The Position

The Bilingual Resource Specialist position is designed to serve the students and families from the target language group.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Instructional Supports & Service Delivery
• Maintain and adhere to a weekly schedule of academic and linguistic support, created in association with school administration and teaching staff based on the needs of English Learners (ELs) in their work sites as indicated on students’ ILP forms
• Provide students with academic, linguistic, and cultural support in the classroom in collaboration with teaching staff or administrators when appropriate
• Facilitate and enhance communication, including translation and interpretation
• Build relationships with English Learners (ELs) and their families
• Student Placement
• Support secretary/office and English as a Second Language (ESL)/Bilingual Resource Teacher (BRT) staff to welcome families into the school district, provide interpretation to ensure all paperwork is completed and share the array of services available to the student to inform parent decisions
• Assist ESL/BRT with communication to families regarding the Home Language Survey and ESL status and services by providing interpretation
• Work with the ESL/BRT to ensure EL records are complete and current
• Help transition newcomers into student life through social, emotional, and academic support in collaboration with other staff (i.e., school social worker, ESL/BRT)
• Collaboration with Teaching Staff
• Participate as an active team member in the discussion of academic, transition, graduation and career/vocational issues related to ELs
• Contribute ideas to the planning of the ESL/Bilingual instructional programs, including culturally relevant materials, resources, and ways of responding to students
• Differentiate and obtain cultural background information relevant for instruction and assessment of student performance
• Implement one-on-one and small group lesson plans created in advance by certified teaching staff to provide pre-teaching and/or instructional reinforcement
• Consult with staff to provide possible cultural or language-based explanations to student issues
• Classroom Support
• Provide support to ELs in core academic instruction with intention and planning in an inclusive environment, under the guidance of the classroom teacher and/or ESL/BRT.
• Provide support to ELs in small groups within or outside of the classroom as needed
• Assessment
• Provide appropriate accommodations (i.e., interpretation support) as outlined by the Office of Assessment Administration for ELs during testing situations.
• Communication
• Facilitate communication between linguistically and/or culturally different parties
• Provide written translation of school-specific documents
• Provide interpretation for school staff (principal, teacher, nurse, etc.) who are contacting parents in person and over the phone with the staff member present.
• Collaborate with and connect students/families with staff by providing oral interpretation in person and over the phone regarding all topics that affect student life
• Provide oral interpretation at school events and meetings
• Facilitate communication prior to Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings, and provide interpretation during IEP meetings
• Assist families in their native language to complete district/school paperwork and applications
• Cultural Liaison
• Assist the family and the student to navigate the norms and practices, both social and academic, of the U.S. school system (e.g., report cards, Summer Semester) and community
• Work with families to gather information about their social and academic norms and practices and share this information with staff during established meetings (i.e., grade level meetings)
• Explain the district Behavior Education Plan to students and families
• Provide social/emotional support for ELs, particularly those struggling with bridging school culture
• Help schools develop a system of culturally relevant family outreach
• In collaboration with school team, connect students/families with district and community resources (e.g., clinics, dental and eye care, free health events, academic tutoring, housing and employment support services)
• Facilitate communication to outside agencies and relay recommendations of community-based services between staff and families
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Must pass MMSD reading, writing, and oral proficiency assessment in target language and English (based on district screening process)
  
  

Next Steps

• Upon successful completion of your application, you will be sent testing information for our reading, writing, and oral language proficiency assessments to determine eligibility for the position.
• Upon passing the assessments, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Based on your application materials, a hiring manager may reach out to you to schedule an interview.
  
  

Environmental Adaptability

• Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the individual so classified.
  
  

Working Conditions

• School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.
  
  

Disclaimer: This position description is subject to change at any time. The above job description does not limit the duties and responsibilities listed above. Employees in this position may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as directed by the supervisor.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship. You must apply on our career page to be considered for this opportunity.