2026-27 Program Assistant - 12 month - Student Placement Center

Saint Paul Public Schools; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 56,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Paul Public Schools is seeking a Student Placement Program Assistant to support enrollment and school choice processes for language communities including Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish. You will manage applications, monitor capacity, and maintain waiting lists while providing culturally responsive guidance to families.

The role involves data management, reporting, collaboration with district staff, and participation in events to ensure equitable access to programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Two years of experience in educational or social services support.
• Fluency in Hmong, Somali, Karen, or Spanish and ability to communicate with families.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of district school placement policies.
• Provide language-specific guidance to families on enrollment options.
• Monitor school and program capacity using Enrollment Management System.
• Maintain waiting lists and process school choice applications.
• Collaborate with IT and staff to improve data systems.
• Engage with diverse communities to support equitable access.

Skills

Hmong

Somali

Karen

Spanish

Enrollment Management System

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Summary

The Student Placement Program Assistant plays a critical role in supporting the district¿s enrollment and school choice processes, including managing applications, monitoring program and school capacity, and maintaining waiting lists. This position requires fluency in Hmong, Somali, Karen, or Spanish and primarily serves families and students from the corresponding language communities. The role is a key point of contact for students, parents, and community members, providing culturally responsive guidance, information, and outreach to ensure equitable access to district programs. Responsibilities include data management, report generation, collaboration with internal departments, and participation in events and professional development to support efficient and effective student placement. The position involves extensive direct interaction with parents, prospective students, and community representatives, fostering trust, understanding, and strong partnerships with the communities served.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Director, Student Placement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor¿s degree; OR An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position; And
• Two years of experience providing support for an educational or social service program, in a customer service department or a related work environment.
• Fluency in Hmong, Somali, Karen, or Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms with families and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor¿s degree in a field related to education, human relations, social work, communications or a related field.
• Prior experience working in K¿12 education, student enrollment, or school choice programs.
• Experience with student information systems or enrollment management software.
• Experience analyzing student data and generating reports for administrative purposes.
• Experience providing outreach or engagement to diverse or underrepresented communities
• Bilingual communication skills.

Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

Student Placement & Enrollment Management

• Develop an understanding of district policies on integration and school choice and coordinate implementation of those policies during the application process and placement of students at the Student Placement Center.
• Provide language-specific support to students and families, ensuring clear communication and understanding of enrollment policies, school choice options, and placement procedures.
• Use Enrollment Management System to monitor enrollment of schools and programs and determine availability of space for new enrollees in the district.
• Support the processing of school choice applications and the development and maintenance of waiting lists.
• Assist with analyzing student data records and other information gathered from district and school staff, students, parents, and community members.
• Assist in analyzing student and family data, including demographic and language information, to support equitable placement decisions.
• Assist in the implementation of clear processes and procedures regarding school choice.
• Keep all required reports current and accurate, including information stored in the student information database systems.
• Collaborate with IT or data teams to troubleshoot and improve data systems for enrollment tracking and reporting.

Customer Service & Community Engagement

• Serve as the Student Placement Center¿s initial contact on issues related to school choice, working with parents, schools, district administration, and community members.
• Provide information about school choice and the student placement process through interaction with school staff, community members, and information meetings.
• Conduct meetings and provide guidance in the primary language of the families served, ensuring culturally responsive communication and understanding.
• When meeting with prospective students and families to explain program offerings and advise on suitable programs based on student interests and enrollment options.
• Provide excellent customer service through professional, consistent, and effective outreach and engagement.
• Represent the District to prospective students, parents, and other individuals or organizations involved in the school choice process.
• Support outreach efforts to underrepresented communities to ensure equitable access to school choice programs.
• Collaborate with community organizations serving Hmong, Somali, Karen, or Spanish-speaking populations to support access to programs and resources.

Collaboration & Departmental Support

• Work cooperatively with staff of other departments within the Student Placement Center to accomplish departmental goals.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure student success and satisfaction.
• Support training of new staff and volunteers in culturally and linguistically responsive practices when working with families from the language communities served.
• Assist in planning events with consideration for accessibility and language support for Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish-speaking families.

Reporting, Analysis, Professional Development and Inclusive Practice

• Develop reports on enrollment, school choice participation, and engagement of Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish-speaking families to inform equitable practices. Generate reports from computer databases and spreadsheets.
• Participate in professional development opportunities development focused on culturally responsive communication and language access services and to stay informed of best practices in student placement and enrollment management.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and family information in compliance with FERPA and district policies.
• Contributes to the District¿s inclusive workplace efforts by fostering a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all staff, participants, and community members.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of culturally and linguistically responsive approaches to support diverse student populations, including Hmong, Somali, Karen, and Spanish-speaking communities.
• Strong commitment to the use of school choice as a means of supporting equitable student placement and promoting desegregation/integration among students.
• In-depth knowledge of student enrollment processes, school choice policies, and educational programs preferred.
• Effective interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Skill in providing language-specific guidance and outreach to families, ensuring clear communication and equitable access to enrollment and school choice programs.
• Ability to effectively communicate, advise, and assist families in their primary language, supporting equitable access to district programs and services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to explain complex processes clearly to parents, students, and staff.
• Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to follow up and follow through effectively.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with parents, district and school personnel, and community members.
• Ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to integrate culturally responsive practices into daily responsibilities and interactions with families and colleagues.
• Ability to utilize computer software, databases, and spreadsheets for record-keeping, data management, and report generation.
• Knowledge of district policies, procedures, and best practices for student placement and enrollment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive student and family information in compliance with FERPA and district policies.
• Flexibility to accommodate occasional evening or weekend work assignments, including participation in events, workshops, or community outreach.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time during the workday.
• Ability to use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry materials, such as files, documents, or office supplies, up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to travel between schools, district offices, and community locations as needed.
• Ability to participate in occasional events, workshops, or meetings that may require walking, standing, or moving materials.
• Ability to process and analyze student enrollment and demographic data accurately.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail while performing repetitive or complex administrative tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and adhere to district policies and regulations.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, new procedures, and emerging challenges related to student placement and school choice.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while independently managing assigned responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily works in an office setting with frequent interaction with students, families, staff, and community members.
• Occasional travel to district offices, school sites, and community locations is required.
• Standard work schedule is during regular school hours, with flexibility required for occasional evening or weekend events, workshops, or community meetings.
• May be required to work under deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Work may involve exposure to sensitive student or family situations requiring discretion, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Frequent use of computers, telephones, and other office equipment is required.
• May participate in events, orientations, or presentations that involve standing or moving for extended periods.
• Work environment may involve interactions with diverse populations and occasional challenging situations requiring problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

Pay, Benefits, and Work Schedule

This is a 12-month position working 40 hours per week.

Pay range for this position is: $55,836 - $89,150

Maximum hiring step = step twelve (12)

The full salary schedule is listed in the School and Community Professionals SCSP contract. Salary information for this job posting can be found at this link and by selecting the "School and Community Professionals SCSP Labor agreement.

Benefit information for this position can be found at this link and by selecting the "School and Community Professionals SCSP - Full Time" link.

Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

Equity Statement

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.

Other Information

Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.

Veteran's Preference - If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran's preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.

Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks - Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are job duties that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outlined under Responsibilities. Regular and reliable attendance. May be exposed to various cleaning products.