What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cultural Liaison/Equity Specialist - Special Education District Wide position at Bloomington Public Schools?
- Based on experience and education
-
1. Family Engagement & Advocacy
- Empowerment: Partnership: Walking alongside parents so they feel confident and heard in school meetings.
- IEP Participation: Attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Evaluation Report (ER) meetings to ensure parents' voices are heard and cultural nuances are integrated into the student's goals.
- Translation & Interpretation: Provide or coordinate high-quality Somali language interpretation for meetings and translate vital special education documents (Prior Written Notices, IEPs, etc.) to ensure informed consent.
- Home-School Connection: Conduct home visits to build trust and explain the American special education system in a way that respects Somali cultural values regarding disability.
- Communication: Act as a cultural bridge to help families navigate the emotional and social complexities of a disability diagnosis, honoring Somali cultural perspectives while opening doors to support.
-
2. Staff Consultation & Program Development
- Culturally Appropriate Programming: Collaborate with Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers to ensure that the way we teach our students respects our language, faith, and heritage
- Professional Development: Lead training for district staff on the prevalence of ASD within the Somali community and the cultural stigmas or barriers that may impact service delivery.
- Data-Informed Strategy: Use CDC prevalence data to help the district project service needs and resource allocation for the Somali student population.
-
3. Student Support
- Evaluation Support: Assist school psychologists and speech-language pathologists during the evaluation process to help differentiate between language acquisition and a true disability.
JobID: 9438
Position Type:
Special Education Providers
Special Education Providers
Date Posted:
5/29/2026
5/29/2026
Location:
District Wide
District Wide
Date Posted:
8/24/2026
Location:
District Wide- Student Services Department
Closing Date:
Until Filled
Position:
Cultural Liaison/Equity Specialist
Effective Date:
ASAP
Hours:
32 hours per week
191 days/year (includes 11 holidays)
Salary:
Starting rate $35.39 per hour
Education:
Two years post-secondary education
5 years experience
B.A. Degree preferred
Responsibilities: Please see attached job description
Key Responsibilities
Direct Interaction: Work with Somali students to provide cultural context for behavioral interventions and social skills training, particularly for those with ASD and Intellectual Disabilities (ID).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until Filled.
Salary : $35