Intercultural Liaison - Tigrinya

at  Edmonton Catholic Schools

Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or Diploma in an area related to education or social sciences, plus three years of directly related experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including fluency in Tigrinya, both written and verbal are essential.
• Knowledge of the challenges confronting immigrant families including settlement and school integration issues, immigration trends and policies, community settlement programs and resources
• Knowledge of data research, collection and analysis techniques and principles, records management, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Legislation
• Knowledge of consulting and mediation techniques and principles
• Working knowledge of Microsoft programs including Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Adobe and imaging software and databases, Office 365, PowerSchool, translation software
• Knowledge of educational resources and general knowledge of Division and department, policies, procedures, operations, and programs are considered an asset
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and work within given timelines
• Strong analytical, problem solving and needs-assessment skills
• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to work independently
• Strong needs assessment, consultation, mediation, and consensus-building skills with the ability to influence decision-making
• Attention to detail and the ability to work with numbers
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical clients
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
  Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.
  As a Catholic School Division receiving public funding, our schools and departments are imbued with our Catholic Faith. Candidates are expected to exhibit respect and sensitivity towards our Catholic beliefs and practices embraced by both students and staff.
  Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program based on contract status as part of its total compensation package.
  Before employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check dated within six months of hiring.
  Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.

• Support newcomer parents and students during the acculturation process by providing cultural information on the host country
• Facilitate adaptation and full integration into Canadian society
• Provide parents with ideas and strategic information on issues dealing with cultural differences including parenting in two cultures through ongoing communication
• Assist schools with multicultural events planning and hosting of fairs to promote diversity, awareness, and sensitivity amongst students, parents, families, and school staff
• Work with Community Engagement Coordinator to provide access to community agencies and opportunities
• Direct families to mainstream government programs and community agencies for settlement services and to links to ethnocultural communities for available support
• Maintain rapport and continuously network with the federal and provincial governments’ settlement-providing agencies regularly for settlement services changes and updates
• Maintain and seek out information about community agencies to ensure up-to-date and accurate information
• Seek referrals to medical specialists
• Assist with school registrations and filling out background information forms
• Conduct orientation sessions for families to the Canadian education system, school tours, and introduction to staff
• Direct families to programs that will best meet the needs of the student; Assist parents in accessing information on the school and Division websites
• Share cultural information with school staff to effect a smooth transition and facilitate the integration of students
• Plan, develop, prepare, and deliver cultural presentations at schools
• Assist with the design and production of parents’ resources and publicity material
• Collect and maintain up-to-date information about Division programs and courses for students and parents
• Maintain up-to-date information about pathways to graduation for high school ELLs and options for post-secondary programs
• Promote cultural sensitivity among school and Division staff to understand student behaviour patterns better
• Communicate with parents to encourage the student’s attendance at summer school and emphasize the importance of attending
• Provide cultural information for a better understanding of families’ needs. Provide language interpretation support to families and school staff during registrations, parent-teacher interviews, demonstration of learning events, report cards, and individualized programs.
• Collaborate with consultants and multi-disciplinary teams by providing first and second-language support to facilitate the assessment process
• Network with outside agencies to arrange for language interpreters where skills are not available in-house
• Translate a wide range of Division and school documents and resource material for use by families and school staff to promote better understanding and clarity to parties involved
• Monitor requests and needs for translated documents and facilitate completion
• Collaborate with the consultants, teachers, Learning Coaches, and multi-disciplinary teams by providing first and second-language support to facilitate the assessment and interview processes
• Gather background information on schooling in the home country and perform first language assessment on newcomer students to determine proficiency. Provide assessment feedback.
• Advise parents of schools’ suggested programming based on assessment results
• Participate in professional learning about community agencies to ensure up-to-date, accurate information for families
• Conduct research for updates on immigration trends and issues regularly
• Share information and experiences with staff to fulfill the planning and administrative needs of the program
• Advocate for student registration in schools; represent client voices in presentations