Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Language Learning Specialist, the Bilingual/Biliterate Community Liaison supports and advocates for families by enlisting family engagement in student academic success; by enlisting parental involvement in students’ educational programs and school-site activities; providing translations of written communications and interpretation of verbal communication. The Bilingual/Biliterate Community Liaison will also facilitate positive family relationships between parents, students, HCOE, community agencies and Humboldt County LEAs. The Bilingual/Biliterate Community Family Liaison works to enlist and engage culturally and linguistically diverse family groups in program activities with a primary focus on historically underrepresented communities.

Examples of Duties

• Assesses family and student needs for developing an action plan to remove barriers to student success
• Fields Spanish-speaking parent questions directly
• In collaboration with Language Learning Specialist, assists parents in locating and enrolling in skill/knowledge development courses (e.g.  ESL classes, nutrition / cooking, ways to maintain and develop multiliteracy, computer/virtual platform training) for promoting parental effectiveness and student achievement
• Maintains a variety of records (e.g. program participation, progress, referrals, etc.) for providing required information and/or documentation
• In collaboration with HCOE’s Language Learning Specialist, makes home visits—in-person or virtual for acquiring information regarding parent needs
• Orients students and families for establishing familiarity with program, services, and required processes
• Participates in workshops, meetings, community teams, etc. for the purpose of receiving and/or presenting information
• Responds to inquiries for providing information and/or direction
• Translates written communications and interprets oral communications for the purpose of facilitating positive rapport between students, parents, teachers and other administrators
• Interprets at events such as IEPs, school meetings, e.g., ELAC/DELAC parent meetings
• Helps the school community develop a family-friendly school climate amongst staff, students and families
• Enhances communication between families, school and the HCOE
• In collaboration with Language Learning Specialist, develops and helps implement effective family involvement strategies to empower families as key decision makers in school governance committees such as school site councils & English Learner Advisory Councils
• Assists Learning Specialists in the completion of their work activities related to translation/interpretation from Spanish to English and vice-versa.
• Works under limited supervision focusing primarily on results
• Provides information and/or advising to other persons
• Operates within a defined budget and/or financial guidelines
• Schedules a number of activities
• Gathers, collates, and/or classifies data; and uses basic job related equipment
• Works flexible hours

Employment Standards

Education, Experience and Requirements

• Two (2) years of college-level coursework; Preferred: four (4) years of college-level coursework (30 semester units or 45 quarter units equal one year);
• Verifiable experience of paid or volunteer work in the community with culturally, ethnically and socio-economically diverse population of parents of public school students;
• At least two (2) years of college-level Spanish: Castilian language and culture coursework;
• Ability to work with and communicate with diverse individuals and/or groups, including those with limited English proficiency;
• Ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships; adapting to changing work priorities;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Knowledge of:

• Planning and managing activities; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and utilizing pertinent software applications.
• Basic math including calculation of fractions, percents and/or ratios;
• English and Spanish for all four language domains; including the ability to read a variety of manuals, write, translate documents from Spanish to English and vice versa following prescribed formats and/or ability to present information before groups; and understand complex multiple-step instructions.

Physical Abilities

(Consideration will be given to reasonable accommodation for the following physical requirements.)

• Sufficient vision to read printed materials;
• Sufficient hearing to conduct in-person and telephone conversations;
• Sufficient mobility to move about the county office and other sites as may be required;
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation distance, on the telephone, and to address groups of varying sizes;
• Physical and emotional stamina to cope with sometimes stressful situations and conditions.

Classified Hourly Schedule/Range 41
Personnel Commission Approved: 05/11/2021