] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → LANGUAGE SERVICES ASSISTANT

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Language Services Assistant

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Language Services Assistant CODE: 5890 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Language Services Assistant GRADE: 13 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction, maintains and processes interpretation requests for non-English-speaking families and community members. The work of the class involves interpreting and explaining school programs, policies and procedures to parents and guardians who do not speak English; arranges interpreters for individual meetings with staff, and families, and prepares related financial and statistics of performance reports for management. In addition, staff supervises, manages, and maintains the department assets (Interpretation Equipment). Ensures the adherence to established procedures by the assisting with improvements to the established work processes of the unit; quality control of service provided by interpreters; supports the deployment of new technology and procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Working knowledge of office methods and procedures, including data analysis of services provided, and recordkeeping, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point)., Microsoft Outlook, drop boxes, and pdf documents. Working knowledge of current language service programs and procedures. Ability to understand viewpoints of persons from other cultures. Good interpersonal teamwork skills. Ability to handle multiple requests, responds quickly and accurately to interpretation needs, and suggests more effective approaches to interpretation services. Ability to develop and provide professional development opportunities to interpreters and staff. Ability to adapt easily to new technologies. Ability to perform duties in accordance with strict schedules; ability to maintain central record system and prepare reports from researched data. Knowledge of MCPS payroll procedures and schedules. Good oral and written communications skills in English and foreign languages, and human relations skills. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Associates degree required. Bachelors degree preferred. At least two years proven experience in supervising the work of employees and contracted services, using database management software such as, MS Excel and Power Point and providing interpretation services in a school environment is required. Experience working in a fast pace environment managing multiple tasks in an overlapping timeframe. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experiences in a multilingual environment, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) May require some evening and weekend work.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Receives interpretation requests from customers, document the requests, assesses request requirements, and steers toward appropriate interpreters.

Communicates directly and often with customers, coordinates assignments for upcoming meetings, and solicits input for project development and improvement initiatives.

Inputs request information into unit database and generates work-in-progress reports for individuals and work groups.

Transports, sets up, monitors, distributes, collects, and stores simultaneous interpretation equipment for various countywide meetings and activities.

Updates, changes, deletes entries, and corrects data files to log and tracks interpretation jobs, to create archival records of completed jobs, and to create periodic reports of services provided, and trends in usage of interpretation services.

Coordinates and assigns interpreters to fill requests based on the purpose of meeting, keeping school system staff informed of the status of requests.

Ensures a high standard of interpretation services through the development of feedback tools (surveys, staff feedback, parents feedback, interpreters feedback.

Ensures adherence to MCPS rules and regulations for coordinating interpretation services.

Orients interpreters to standard procedures for claiming, confirming, completing and reporting work to assure smooth service provision to customers and payment to interpreters.

Supports the MCPS community as per proper and most effective use of interpreters.

Suggests improvements to work practices.

Maintains and increases expertise concerning new interpretation tools and technologies.

Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Class Established: 7/92
Date(s) Revised: 9/93, 7/2009, 3/11, 7/2016
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.