Job Abstract

Posting Opens June 28, 2024 Posting Closes July 8, 2024

The Akron Board of Education announces an opening for a Bilingual Refugee Engagement Specialist (fluent in Swahili), Job Code 229, TS 422, Salary Range TBD. This is a position funded by a grant from an entity external to Akron Public Schools and therefore, is contingent upon approved funding by the external entity.

Application must be made electronically through http://www.applitrack.com/akron/onlineapp/.

Please upload a letter of interest, resume and a current copy of appropriate license in addition to completing the online application. The Superintendent reserves the right to either keep the position open until suitable applicants are found or to cancel and repost the position with such changes as may be deemed appropriate. For further information, please contact Dr. Loi Dang-Nguyen, ESL and World Languages Learning Specialist, (330) 761-3114 or Department of Human Capital, (330) 761-2753.

Position Summary: The Bilingual ESL Refugee Engagement Specialist is a split funded position between The Early RSI Grant and Title III (as needed) to support refugee enrollment, to ensure refugee parents and students have access to district programs, increase parent engagement, connect parents to district and community resources and programs, and to create and develop videos, flyers, etc. to provide description of programs, especially preschool programs in multiple languages.

Responsibilities and Essenatial Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions.

• Ensure EL-specific work meets federal compliance by administering EL and district assessments, screeners, enrollment activities, gather required supporting EL identification, etc.;
• Provide, monitor, and support refugees who attend or plan to attend Akron Public Schools.
• Collect data on refugee families and students to make decisions for appropriate student and family programming in order to ensure grant requirements are met.
• Provide translation and interpretation services for bilingual families and students in various modalities including documents, phone calls, videos, etc.
• Monitor the completion and compliance of oral interpretations, translations of written documents (IEPs, progress reports, discipline documentation, etc.) and translations of videos for accuracy and completion to meet deadlines.
• Work with the Refugee Program Manager to support the assignment and coordination of interpreters across departments, building and community agencies as needed to meet student, family, building and district needs.
• Provide assistance to principals and school staff related to the completion of translation/interpretation paperwork in order to facilitate school improvement initiatives.
• Provide training, monitor and suport new interpreters as needed.
• Support diverse families and students outside of traditional work hours as needed when assigned by the ESL and World Languages Learning Specialist.
• Travel between APS buildings or community agencies as needed to support new staff, diverse families and APS staff based on the needs of LEP students and families.
• Create and develop informational videos and flyers to inform parents of APS programs, and resources.
• Coordinate outreach activites, act as a community liasion, prepare reports and attend meetings as a representative of APS.
• Completes accurate and timely records and reports as required. Attend meetings, in-services and training programs as instructed.
• Develop and promote the use of culturally proficient, sound practices of work that help to create safe and equitable learning environments.
• Reports to and carreis out any other responsibiilities as assigned by the Chief of Academicsand/or ESL and Wolrld Languages Learning Specialist.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required: Must be met at the time of application except where noted:

• Must have a broad-based understanding of developing and implementing family engagement programs.
• Knowledge and experience in immigration law and refugee immigration processes.
• Valid State of Ohio Driver's License.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in communications or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.?
• Fluent in English (oral and written) and Swahili (oral and written).
• Minimum of one to three years of experience in working with a diverse refugee community, community relations, human behavior, psychology and/or related area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Akron community and its available resource.
• Prior experience in an urban setting serving diverse clients.
• Must have a broad-based understanding of developing and implementing family engagement programs.
• Knowlege and experience in immigration law and refugee immigration processes.
• Valid State of Ohio Driver's License.

Desired:

• Ability to use technology to organize data to allow for decision making.
• Knowledge of the ESL Program.
• Knowledge of Excel, Word, and Google applications.
• Experience in creating videos

Working Conditions: Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Enviornmental Factors:

• Frequent district wide travel and occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions, noises, odors, temperatures throughout the work day.
• Sits, stands and moves intermittently throughout the work day.

If you require any special services (such as interpreter, braille or large print, or wheelchair-accessible accommodations) covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, Section 102, please call the Department of Human Capital at 330-761-2935. If you are using a TTY/TTD, please call the Ohio Relay Service,1-800-750-0750.

Akron Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, military status, ancestry or genetic information (collectively, “Protected Classes”).

Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.