Language Access Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) Office of Language Access Services (OLAS), formerly the Translation and Interpretation Unit, under the Division of Family and Community Advancement, was established in 2015 to centralize and standardize language access across the District. The mission of the OLA is "To ensure families have meaningful access to all aspects, programs, opportunities, and services pertaining to their children's education by providing a multitude of language access services via internal and external resources to safeguard communications." BPS has committed to strengthening language access district-wide and, as such, a major focus for OLA is to ensure all families receive "essential information" in a timely, accurate and accessible manner while increasing opportunities for parent involvement and voice in the District and school-based policies and initiatives.

The OLAS seeks a highly motivated, qualified, process-oriented, and data-driven language access professional with demonstrated project management and stakeholder relations skills. Under the director's direction, the Language Access Coordinator will ensure that language access services are coordinated in accordance with department (i.e., state and federal mandates) protocols, which include compliance and evaluation standards.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and process Interpretation requests received from the District's scheduling system.
• Monitor and maintain scheduling systems to ensure timely and accurate submission and completion of requests and/or utilization of available services.
• Achieve daily language mandate of 0 (zero) assignments pending at the end of each workday
• Handle all communications about interpretation service requests, including emails and phone calls
• Entering and following up on Service Provider and requester feedback
• Provide support and information to BPS staff and parents concerning the interpretation services, schedules, regulations, and policies
• Provide support and advice on new potential business (vendors) opportunities.
• Maintain and expand the database of freelance interpreters
• Collaborate with other departments and schools to plan and problem-solve language access concerns.
• Manage interpretation quality assurance by conducting audits, coordinating feedback from all stakeholders, and ensuring all loops are closed.
• Act as an interpreter at meetings between staff, parents, and staff, staff and external organizations, and support school/District functions and events.
• Represent the OLA in a customer-focused fashion by promptly returning calls and emails, searching for answers and additional resources when necessary, taking the initiative to solve problems or request assistance, and be a knowledgeable resource in matters related to the department.
• Create educational resources for staff and families to promote best practices and establish training workshops to enhance stakeholder knowledge base.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as requested by the Director/Assistant Director of OLA.

Qualifications - Required:

• Undergraduate Degree in a related field
• 3+ years of experience as an interpretation coordinator, as a project coordinator or a similar position
• Knowledgeable in a translation and interpretation or language access environment
• Highly computer literate and a master of Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google products
• Exceptional clerical skills and strong business acumen
• Proactive, creative, and tenacious problem solver with experience in organizing others to accomplish projects.
• Ability to work effectively individually and in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment within and across departments.
• Ability to work with parents, administrators, teachers, other staff, and members of the community
• Excellent communicator, both orally and in writing
• Proficiency in operations and performance management
• Results-focused and problem-solving skills
• Previous project management software, methodologies, and best practices experience

Qualifications - Preferred:

• Master's Degree in a related field
• Second Language Proficiency in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese.
• Experience in a Translation and Interpretation or a Language Access Environment.
• Familiarity with desktop publishing software (InDesign, QuarkXPress, Framemaker, or Canva)
• Familiarity and/or working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws pertaining to language access.

Terms: Managerial, B21.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.