What are the responsibilities and job description for the Language Access Coordinator position at The School District of Philadelphia?
Job Description
Title : Language Access Coordinator
Department : Office of Special Education & Diverse Learners
Reports To : Director, Special Projects
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city's more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Strengthens District ties with bilingual and non-English speaking families as well as community organizations. Develops and sustains effective contacts with parent groups, schools, regions and community organizations to ensure that all families receive the necessary assistance and support for their children academically and socially.
Essential Functions
- Coordinates and oversees the work of others; ensures that work is performed in an efficient and effective manner.
- Plans and conducts training and develops training materials on cross-cultural communication, cultural awareness, sensitivity and related topics for District staff, schools, families and community members.
- Networks and maintains contact with community-based organizations representing diverse populations; utilizes contacts to increase family involvement in collaboration with other District offices; participates in community meetings and activities.
- Acts to enhance parent involvement, school climate and safety, and cross-cultural problem solving; assists with establishing advisory committees which support the work of the office.
- Assists with writing grant proposals; seeks various funding sources to enhance parental engagement activities.
- Assists with conflict resolution and crisis intervention in community situations and acts with diplomacy and good judgment.
- Provides interpretation and translation services for District offices and families; participates in the interpretation, translation and proofreading of key publications and announcements which are utilized for the District's hotline, cable television and general communications.
- Develops and maintains a multilingual library of translated District documents and other media; ensures that references on interpretation and translation, cross-cultural communication and diversity are current.
- Maintains records and prepares an analysis on the utilization of language access services; reviews costs, vendors, requests for services and other factors as indicated by the director.
- Represents the office at meetings with District personnel and community organizations.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of :
o The current practices, methods and techniques utilized in the implementation of parent involvement and parent education initiatives.
o Community and parent organizations available to support families.
o Foundations and other funding organizations.
o Spanish, Portuguese, Ukranian or Russian languages.
Demonstrated ability to :
o Interpret all relevant District and federal rules and regulations concerning program administration.
o Develop and conduct training sessions on multicultural and cross-cultural issues.
o Provide highly competent services to parent and community groups
o Use computer applications including Excel, Power Point and Microsoft Word.
o Maintain records and prepare reports.
o Operate a personal computer.
o Collaborate with departmental staff to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate parent education seminars that are responsive to the needs of the District's students and their families.
o Fluently speak English and write an appropriate foreign language.
o Read English and an appropriate foreign language.
o Coordinate and oversee the work of staff and attain effective results.
o Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
o Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.
