Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Position Type:

Student Support Services

Date Posted:

6/7/2024

Location:

East Hartford High School

Date Available:

As soon as possible

Closing Date:

Open until filled

  Additional Information: Show/Hide

Salary: $24.28 per hour

The following documents must be complete and current for application to be considered:

• Online Application

• Letter of Interest

• Resume

• Copy of Certification

• Official Transcripts

• Three Current Letters of Recommendation

• Other: Letter of interest should include backgroud information

TITLE: Bilingual Family Support Specialist

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, family studies, early childhood education, child development, or a related field strongly preferred but not required;

• Must be fluent in spoken and written Spanish and be able to carry out the performance responsibilities in both English and Spanish;

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively with staff, community partners, children, and families in the provision of high quality services and resources;

• Ability to work in a diverse workplace and appreciate culturally and linguistically diverse families and needs;

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, problem solve, organize work, meet schedules and deadlines, follow directions and take initiative;

• Ability and willingness to work as a team member and to work independently with little or no supervision;

• Ability to plan and organize program components, implement policies and procedures, and develop program priorities;

• Experience with technology, including Google Classroom, Google Meet, and PowerSchool;

• Experience writing and managing grants, preferred but not required;

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in a professional manner;

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation;

• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable.

• REPORTS TO: Principal

JOB GOAL:

The Bilingual Family Support Specialist's main focus is to develop the district's relationships with children and families. The ideal candidate for this role will work with the Principal as well as the Office of Equity, Partnerships and Achievement to facilitate school-based programs that encourage family involvement. The Bilingual Family Support Specialist will provide interpreting and translation services when needed and will also visit the homes of current or potential students.

It shall be a daily expectation that the Bilingual Family Support Specialist makes attendance calls; conducts family check-ins (e.g. home visits, phone calls, virtual meetings); interfaces with families at pick-up and dismissal; prepares weekly communication updates using a newsletter template from the Office of Equity, Partnerships, and Achievement; and conducts teacher/classroom check-ins.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a liaison between a school and the local community, between families and teachers, between parents and the school district, and with social agencies committed to the welfare of the students.

• Works with the principal to create a welcoming school environment.

• Thinks and acts in ways that respect ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity.

• Contacts parents and families through phone calls, home visits, and meetings at school or district in order to encourage participation in school and or district activities and events.

• Works directly with families to identify boundaries to attendance and support with referrals and resources to assist in improving attendance.

• Facilitates welcome workshops for new families, including training on laptops, e-mail, Google Classroom, Google Meet, and PowerSchool.

• Refers students/families to outside agencies (e.g. state agencies, medical professionals, counselors, foundations, charities, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the needs of students and families are met.

• Maintains a flexible work schedule (participation in evening and/or weekend events and activities will be required at various times).

• Provides strategies for parents/families to help students academically.

• Provides information to parents concerning district policies and procedures such as registration, PTO/School Governance Council, curriculum, assessment, uniform, discipline, etc.

• Creates opportunities for parent participation in the school/classroom and provides a rich set of volunteer activities in schools so parents can serve in productive roles.

• Participates in district staff training specific to home visits, culturally responsive practices, and family engagement.

• Participates in and supports district activities and programs for families.

• Provides interpreting services in English and Spanish for parents, teachers, and administrators during parent/teacher conferences, open houses, school and/or district meetings, report card conferences, parent workshops, evening events at schools, and any other type of activity where communication is required in the Spanish/English languages.

• Assists the Office of Equity, Partnerships and Achievement in coordinating educational programs for parents to provide a wide range of activities.

• Works with the Office of Equity, Partnerships and Achievement and the Family Resource Centers to identify resources for families in the community, and provides up-to-date referral information on community resources to teachers and counselors.

• Involves parents/families/school personnel in the evaluation of parent meetings and workshops with surveys to determine the effectiveness of the programs.

• Maintains a variety of confidential and nonconfidential manual and electronic documents, files, lists, and records (e.g. student database system, activity logs, phone logs, community resources) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing up-to-date references, and supporting referrals to community and district supports.

• Perform other duties as specified by the Principal, the Supervisor of the Office of Equity, Partnerships and Achievement, and/or as may be determined by the District.

• TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Hourly, non-bargaining unit employee. 7.5 hours per day with an additional 30 minute unpaid lunch; 46 weeks per year - will not work the week between Christmas and New Year's, the week of April vacation, or during the month of July.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Non-Certified Staff.