The posting
Job Description
Definition
Under general supervision provides interpretation and communication support to assist Gaston County Schools staff in effectively communicating with families who have limited English proficiency, particularly families who may be experiencing homelessness, housing instability or at risk of homelessness. The position supports communication during the McKinney-Vento identification and eligibility process, enrollment, school visits, home visits, telephone calls, meetings, and other interactions with families as needed. The interpreter may assist with communication even when a family has not yet been determined eligible for McKinney-Vento services, including helping staff communicate with families and gather information needed to determine whether the family may qualify for services.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide interpretation between school personnel and families with limited English proficiency.
• Assist the McKinney-Vento Liaison and school staff in communicating with families regarding housing situations, McKinney-Vento eligibility, barriers, resources and educational needs.
• Assists families with limited English proficiency with the school enrollment process.
• Participate in home visits, school visits, telephone calls, meetings, and other family contacts when interpretation is needed.
• Schedules/translates for conferences as requested by parent, or school staff.
• Uses technology to participate in video conferencing.
• Assists parents in using technology to participate in video conferencing, understanding district procedures, forms and available services.
• Interpret information related to enrollment, eligibility, school placement, transportation, attendance, records, and available community or school resources.
• Assists parents in accessing and utilizing learning platforms (ie: Canvas, Schoology, etc.).
• Respond to requests for interpretation on an as-needed/on-call basis.
• Complete required documentation related to interpretation services.
• Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of the language(s) needed to communicate effectively with families served by the district.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and appropriate handling of sensitive family and student information.
• Strong oral communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to accurately interpret information between English and the required language(s) without adding, omitting, or changing meaning.
• Knowledge of community resources and services that may be available to families experiencing housing instability.
• 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 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 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 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 recognized by NCDPI accrediting agencies); 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: McKinney Vento Liaison
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 to this job.
If offered a position, prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test.
Revised 09/2026 JBartlett
Supersedes 7/22/2013, 03/2021 CReynolds; JPayne 10/2023
