Hispanic/El Community Engagement Specialist

Classification Title:Hispanic/EL Community Engagement Specialist

Department: Teaching & Learning

Pay Grade: Teacher (Specialist)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisor: Director of K-12 Instruction

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The individual in this position assists students and families that speak a language other thanEnglish. Oversees the English Learner (EL) program. Serves as a liaison and resource forstudents and their families. Coordinates communication and activities for Hispanic and/or ELfamilies. Administers and/or coordinates interpretation and translation services for the Hispaniccommunity.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions:

• Oversees the English Learner (EL) program.
• Processes the enrollment of (EL) newcomer students.
• Serves as a bilingual liaison between Hispanic students, home, school, and community.
• Identifies and connects families to potential resources for a variety of needs, including, but not limited to: academic, behavioral, mental health and/or family support. These resources may be located within the school, district or community.
• Assists in providing basic technological support and guidance regarding connectivity to ensure parents can access and use student learning management systems (LMS), communication portals and tools, etc.
• Works with professional personnel, students, and parents to help students be successful in school by making information available in various languages to increase the understanding of specific elements that may be attributed to emotional, physical, academic, and economic areas specific to the EL population.
• Keeps abreast of all federal and state EL guidelines.
• Provides information and answers questions regarding the Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP).
• Plans and provides activities related to parent involvement that would enhance school/family partnerships.
• Collaborates with administrators, EL teachers and other school personnel in implementing parent involvement programs and family literacy nights.
• Meets with students and families upon enrollment to determine educational goals and needed family and school supports.
• May be called upon to interpret for various school meetings and programs; provides and/or coordinates interpretation and translation services.
• Supports designated EL sites in tracking EL attendance and drop-out rates.
• Provides community resources to support students and families in collaboration with the school, teacher, parents, and home.
• Participates in on-going professional development by attending workshops, lectures, and institutes on specific subjects to enhance job performance.
• Supports school home communication on a regular basis.
• Makes home visits as needed and works with parents regarding ways in which they can help their children achieve challenging state standards.
• Assists in EL program presentations, professional development sessions, and trainings as needed.
• Coordinates tutoring, mentorship programs, and/or volunteers to support English Learners to reinforce academic and language skills.
• Advocates for and supports parental engagement, fostering parent leadership and participation in childs academic progress and growth.
• Models non discriminatory practices in all activities.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related work as required.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Bachelors degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education or related field andexperience providing services to school-age children and/or families.-Valid Virginia drivers license and the willingness to travel.-Bilingual speaker or speaker of multiple languages preferred. Prefer, at a minimum,fluency in English and Spanish.-May consider an equivalent level of education and experience providing the knowledge,skills and abilities required for the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS REQUIRED

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of district policies and procedures.-Knowledge and understanding of parental involvement and cultural awareness.-Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.-Skill in the use of computers and technology, including proficiency in Microsoft OfficeSuite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Google Suite.-Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other District employees and thegeneral public.-Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by anemployee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/ornegligible amount of force frequently or constantly. Vocal communication is required forexpressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceiveinformation at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzingwritten or computer data, operation of office equipment, determining the accuracy andthoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. Additionally, thefollowing physical abilities are required:-Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingersrather than with the whole hand as in handling.

Work Environment:

The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions. Positioin will be posted until filled.Henry County Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Due to limited funds, Henry County Public Schools is unable to sponsor Visas.