Bilingual Cultural Mentor

Purpose and Scope

The essential function of the position within the organization is to serve as liaison between District staff and students and parents whose primary spoken language is one other than English. The position is responsible for providing academic assistance to students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program; interpreting for students, parents and teachers, and performing other duties as assigned. The position works under general supervision according to some procedures; decides how and when to complete tasks.

Essential Job Functions

1.Provides oral and written interpretation between the school, teachers, parents and students.2.Provides academic tutoring and other academic assistance for non-English-speaking students; assists them in understanding and speaking fluent English.3.Teaches customs of American society to those from other countries and cultures. 4.Translates District/school documents to other languages as qualified.5.Serves as chaperone on field trips as needed to facilitate clear communication with ESL students.6.Assists in enforcing school rules and regulations by monitoring students on school grounds. 7.Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and complaints regarding issues, programs, policies and procedures in areas of responsibility.8.Participates in meetings with teachers, principals and administrators to discuss issues in areas of responsibility.9.Documents all contact with and services provided to students as assigned.10.Attends training, conferences, meetings and workshops as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.11.Performs routine clerical tasks as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes and e-mails, entering and retrieving computer data.12.Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate?s degree, or two (2) years of college (minimum of 48 semester hours), a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment Test, or an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience may be acceptable. Relevant training and experience is defined as one (1) year or more of experience in translating and/or mentoring; experience and training in working with students in an instructional environment, preferably within a bilingual setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must possess written and oral proficiency in English and another language; must possess the proper interpreting techniques (i.e. able to convey the idea of the source language in the target language on the spur of the moment, utilizing appropriate terminology); ability to learn and appropriately interpret/translate documents requiring specialized/technical, language; ability to accurately translate and interpret for non-English speaking adults and children, utilizing specific terminology related to special education.

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