Bilingual Program Assistant (Somali) - (2026-2027) Bryn Mawr

Minneapolis Public Schools; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

HSA & FSA

Retirement plan

Job summary

Minneapolis Public Schools in Minneapolis, MN, seeks a Bilingual Program Assistant (Somali) at Bryn Mawr Elementary to interpret and facilitate services for non-English speaking families. This role supports health, education, and community access with integrity and cultural awareness.

The position requires an AA degree or 60 college credits, along with ParaPro 460+ and a minimum of two years translation/interpretation experience. Strong collaboration with staff and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• AA degree or 60 semester credits in Education or related field.
• ParaPro Assessment score of 460+ with HS diploma or GED.
• Two years of translation and interpretation experience.
• Ability to translate and interpret English to Somali and other languages.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff as an interpreter to facilitate health, education and other services.
• Provide interpreter services from English to Somali and other languages.
• Translate and interpret in classrooms and with school staff.
• Assist families in accessing educational and community services.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate records.

Skills

Interpreting (English-Somali)

Cultural sensitivity

Record keeping

Translation

Education

AA degree or 60 credits

ParaPro score 460+ + HS diploma

Tools

Computer literacy

Translation software

Job description

Job Title:Bilingual Program Assistant (Somali) - (2026-2027) Bryn Mawr and Requisition ID number:104926

Close Date:No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit:Bryn Mawr Elementary (10000013)

FTE:.85 FTE @ 34 Hours/Week - 41 weeks; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union:ESP(28)

Salary Range: 27.17-30.75

Benefits: Dental insurance | Health insurance | Vision insurance | Paid time off | HSA & FSA | Retirement plan

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, assists MPS staff as an interpreter to facilitate the provision of health, education and other services to non-English speaking and bilingual community members and facilitate the integration of students and classes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists MPS staff as an interpreter to facilitate educational functions and other services to non-English speaking, limited English speaking and bilingual/bicultural community members, in compliance with Standards of Effective Instructional Support for Educational Assistants.
• Provides interpreter services from English to at least one other designated foreign language, including Somali, Spanish, Hmong and other Southeast Asian languages.
• Translates and interprets English to designated foreign language, maintaining message content, context, and style, in order to convey information effectively.
• Provides translation service in classrooms, special projects, homework, after-school programs, and open communication with teachers, counselors, social workers, and school administrators.
• Assists bilingual/bicultural and ESL/ELL (English as a Second Language (ESL)/ English Language Learning (ELL) families in accessing, obtaining and implementing educational activities, medical and other community services.
• Assists bilingual students to read and write the English language; assists student learning process by interpreting English language terms into designated foreign language.
• Assists teachers in delivering educational service and providing interpreting service to ESL/ELL clients; collects and records observations on students; maintains students’ data base and files.
• Simultaneously and consecutively interprets and translates questions and answers for ESL/ELL students and parents during school events; effectively presents information and concepts.
• Provides culturally relevant information to staff to facilitate understanding of the ESL/ELL communities.
• Facilitates conflict resolution and explains school rules to ESL/ELL students and guardians; coordinates communications between students, parents and school services.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis
• At times may be required to work outside normal business hours and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

CLASS DESIGNATIONS

Bilingual – [specific language below]: Assist licensed staff as an interpreter to facilitate the provision of health, education, or other services to non-English speaking, limited English speaking and/or bilingual/bicultural community members.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

AA degree or completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits (required) in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences, or educational area related to position assignment;

OR

A passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment AND a high school diploma/GED certificate (For more information on the ParaPro Assessment, contact Educational Testing Service at 1-800-772-9476 or www.ets.org/parapro);

AND two (2) years of professional experience in translation and interpretation of verbal and written English and a designated foreign language; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques required to translate written English and at least one other language, including Somali, Spanish, Hmong and other Southeast Asian Languages.
• Methods and techniques used in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting and translation of spoken language.
• Correct English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Vocabulary, grammar, phonology and dialects of designated foreign language.
• Ethics and standards for professional interpreting and translating.
• Techniques for improving communications with persons using English as a second language.
• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.

Skill in:

• Translating English language documents into designated foreign language.
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms with non-English speaking persons.
• Listening to speakers’ statements to determine precise meanings, and properly translating to and from designated foreign language.
• Translating and interpreting foreign language words and phrases to properly express specific meanings and cultural appropriateness.
• Identifying cultural differences which affect non-English speaking students and their parents, and the barriers and opportunities to enhance the process of acculturation to American society.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co- workers.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

• Bargaining Unit: Educational Support Specialists
• Grade: Group C
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Job Group: Student Support

Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.