SY 26-27 Bilingual Counseling Assistant- Spanish

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a dedicated professional to facilitate communication between school staff and multilingual students. The role involves interpreting instructions, supporting parent engagement, and ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities.

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and fluency in English and at least one foreign language. Knowledge of the cultural and educational needs of the community is essential. Join us in supporting our diverse student population.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate in English and one foreign language fluently.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community educational needs.
• Experience in facilitating communication for multilingual students.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate communication between school staff, students, and parents.
• Provide interpretation for classroom activities and assessments.
• Engage with parents to support academic performance and engagement.

Skills

Fluency in English

Fluency in a foreign language

Understanding of cultural/educational needs

Basic computer knowledge (Microsoft Suite)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The School District of Philadelphia is the cornerstone provider of public education in Philadelphia. For forward-thinking administrators and educators, opportunities abound. The 130,000 students entrusted to the District arrive at school every day with an extraordinary range of needs and aspirations. We are committed to delivering on their right to an excellent public school education, and we are particularly focused on ensuring every student has access to exceptional educational opportunities. Equity is our mandate. Will you join us?

Essential Functions

• Facilitates communication between school staff, students, and parents/guardians by providing accurate, impartial and complete interpretation of the spoken language message conveyed to the target language.
• Collaborates with ESOL and other teachers by providing interpretation of rubrics and instructions for classroom activities, assignments and projects; and assists in the assessment of students’ educational strengths and challenges.
• Provides ongoing communication between students’ parents/guardians and school staff about students’ academic performance, attendance, and behavior.
• Participates in individual and group discussions with school counselor and limited English‑proficient students and parents/guardians to assist them in defining and developing post‑secondary educational, vocational and career plans.
• Encourages, promotes and supports parent engagement by providing culturally‑informed outreach activities, notices of school meetings and district‑wide events and opportunities.
• Informs multilingual students and limited‑English proficient parents/guardians about school expectations, rules, policies and procedures.
• Distributes district‑wide translated documents to parents/guardians and ensures that all documents sent to parents/guardians are translated.
• Provides interpretation at psychological evaluations, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, parent/guardian/teacher conferences, and PSSA and Keystone tests.
• Meets with limited English‑proficient students and parents/guardians to encourage, promote and support participation in the school counseling program.
• Enlists the support and cooperation of other school personnel; consults with school counselor(s) and other school staff to determine students’ ability and potential, and to ascertain and implement the necessary steps to bring the students’ interests and goals to fruition.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent. If you were educated outside of the US, please have your credentials verified through a PDE Evaluation service.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of social, cultural and educational needs of students in the community in which the foreign language is spoken.
• Basic computer knowledge (e.g., Microsoft Suite).

Demonstrated ability to:

• Speak, read and write English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.
• Speak, read and write in one of the following languages: Bengali, Cantonese, Malayalam, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Tajik, and/or Ukrainian.
• Interpret oral and written information.
• Prepare and maintain records.
• Coordinate outreach services to immigrant and refugee families and communities.
• Build partnerships with immigrant/refugee-serving organizations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.