Gaston County Schools

Definition

Under general supervision, assists school personnel and Spanish-speaking parents and students to communicate more effectively. Work involves oral and written translation from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish. The employee is responsible for oral translations during parent/teacher and parent/administrator conferences, during the administration of tests to students, and during emergency situations in which language is a barrier to resolving the situation. The employee is responsible for written translations from English to Spanish for such purposes as notification regarding school activities, student progress, disciplinary actions, etc. The employee is responsible for written translation from Spanish to English for such purposes as translating school records, medical records, notes from parents, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Translates written documents from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.
• Translates orally from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English during conferences, telephone calls/text messages, testing, information gathering from other school districts, emergency situations, etc.
• Translates audio for videos (ie: Canvas, College Prep, etc.).
• Assists Spanish-speaking students and their families with the school enrollment process.
• Serves as a liaison between the school district and Latino groups and organizations in the community.
• Assists school staff in understanding and appreciating the Latino culture.
• Schedules/translates for conferences as requested by parents, or school staff.
• Uses technology to participate in video conferencing.
• Assists parents in using technology to participate in video conferencing.
• Assists parents in accessing and utilizing learning platforms (ie: Canvas, Schoology, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of both the Spanish and English languages.
• Skill in translating spoken words from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English at a normal speaking rate.
• Ability to translate verbal messages to written documents and written documents to verbal messages in both Spanish and English.
• Ability to adapt language based on the level of the student and parent.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Requires the ability to speak in Spanish and English to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments, and/or directions.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, etc., in English and Spanish. Requires the ability to prepare routine and technical documents.
• Requires ability to write, using standard conventions, in English and Spanish.
• Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions in English and Spanish.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English and Spanish.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.
• Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using adaptive equipment.
• Requires the ability to form numerous signs, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Must be sensitive to cultural differences among individuals and groups of persons.
• Requires the ability to talk and listen: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving the nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.
• Requires the ability to utilize a variety of technology to communicate with parents.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare data, work with record processes, and do extensive reading and research.

Minimum Training and Experience

• High School diploma.
• Minimum of 48 semester hours (earned at a Regionally Accredited College/University), official transcript required.
• Demonstrated ability to speak, understand, read, and write fluently in both English and Spanish; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Demonstration may be required as part of the interview process.
• Must score at the Advanced Mid or Superior ACTFL ratings for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Preferred Social Worker Experience

This Position Reports Directly to: Director of ESL

Salary: Grade 62

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees for this job.

If offered a position, prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test.