Hispanic Achievement Liaison

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION 

The Student Access and Achievement Program supports various school-based acceleration and enrichment programs offered during the school day, after school hours, and beyond the school year. The goal of Student Access and Achievement is to provide support for our school system’s efforts to accelerate the academic achievement of all students, especially Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and multilingual learners. 

The Hispanic Achievement Program Liaison is employed through the Howard County Public School System and is assigned to one or more specific schools. Working under the supervision of the Hispanic Achievement Program Supervisor and the direction of the school principal, this position collaborates with students, staff, families, and community members to accelerate the academic achievement of all Hispanic/Latino students. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy. 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 

Experience: 

• Experience working with Hispanic school-aged children and their families in the United States.     

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 

Experience: 

• Experience in a PreK-12 public school system 

• Experience analyzing data related to educational outcomes 

• Experience working on equity, advocacy, or related projects. 

• Experience working with community organizations or government agencies. 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

• Collaborate with school staff to implement the school system vision and mission by serving as a communication link between school staff, Hispanic students, and their families.   

• Monitor the academic progress of all Hispanic students to ensure appropriate placement in academic program, as well as growth and acceleration of academic achievement.   

• Monitor the behavioral data of all Hispanic students to increase positive learning behaviors that set a foundation for student achievement.   

• Serve as a communication link between school staff and Hispanic/Latino students and their families. 

• Engage and facilitate the involvement of Hispanic/Latino families in the educational process. 

• Establish relationships with administrators, colleagues, students, and parents that reflect recognition and respect for every individual. 

• Collaborate with non-profits and government agencies to support Hispanic/Latino students and their families. 

• Participate in curricular program meetings (such as Gifted and Talented Education, Special Education, and other Student Services) to provide information, support, and feedback to families. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.  

KNOWLEDGE:  

• Educational Equity & Culturally Responsive Practices: Understanding of systemic educational equity, culturally responsive pedagogy, and research-based strategies designed to accelerate academic achievement and support the social-emotional well-being of Hispanic/Latino students.  

• Data Analysis: Understanding of data-driven decision-making frameworks and data reporting to measure intervention efficacy and student progress.  

• Community & Family Engagement: Knowledge of best practices for authentically engaging Hispanic/Latino families, community stakeholders, and grassroots organizations in the educational process. 

SKILLS: 

• Strategic & Operational Planning: Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple complex initiatives simultaneously (e.g., Individual case management) 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional relationship-building skills to collaborate effectively with students, teachers, families, internal district offices, school-based administrators, and external community partners.  

• Event Planning & Coordination: Skill in organizing, coordinating, and executing small to medium-scale community recognition events and student achievement celebrations. 

• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills.  

• Technology: Proficiency with web-based productivity and collaboration tools (Google Suite preferred or Microsoft Office Suite). 

ABILITIES:   

• Equity-Driven Advocacy: Ability to champion educational equity and serve as a strategic voice for Hispanic/Latino students and families within a school building.  

• Cultural Humility & Relationship Building: Ability to establish trust, rapport, and meaningful partnerships with families, community members, and personnel from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.  

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Ability to navigate complex institutional structures, resolve conflicts, and pivot program strategies to meet the evolving needs of students and the school community. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Working Hours 

• The duty day for this position is 8.0 hours including a 60-minute duty-free lunch.    

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  
 
Supplemental Application Questions 

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 

1) Please indicate the level(s) at which you are interested in working (i.e., elementary school, middle school, high school).  

2) Please describe your experience working with Hispanic school-aged children and their families in the United States. Be sure to specifically identify the age(s) of the children with whom you worked and the position(s) in which you gained this experience.    

3) Please briefly describe one example from your experience that demonstrates your ability to work collaboratively with people of different backgrounds.  

4) Please briefly describe one example of how you demonstrate successful interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate with a variety of stakeholder groups.  

5) Please describe your experience utilizing web-based productivity and collaboration tools such as Google Suite or Microsoft Office Suite.  

6) Please describe any additional experience you have in the following areas:  

• analyzing data and making data-driven decisions.  

• working on equity, advocacy, or related projects. 

• working with community organizations or government agencies. 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.  

Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process. 

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

Compensation 

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 23 on the HCEA-ESP 10-month Technical Central Office and School Based salary scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime. 

Retirement 

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.  

Benefits 

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. 

Pre-Employment Requirements 

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. 

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. 

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. 

For questions regarding this posting, please contact:  [email protected]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [email protected].

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.