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Bilingual-Bicultural Specialist

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Bilingual-Bicultural Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

DBA-23602-JB-07/2025

Department

Department of Education

Division

Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind

Opening Date

07/25/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

33 N Institute St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

[email protected]

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

https://csdb.colorado.gov/

Vision Statement: CSDB aspires to be an exemplary global resource for families and professionals that excels in preparing diverse learners to transform the world with PRIDE: Positive attitude, Respect, Independence, Determination, and Excellence.

Mission Statement: The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), in collaboration with families, school districts and community partners, ... educates and inspires learners throughout the state, birth through age 21, to achieve their full human potential through comprehensive, individualized academic, transition, residential and outreach programs and resources.

Description of Job

The Bilingual-Bicultural Specialist reports to the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and serves as a strategic leader in advancing equitable, culturally responsive, and linguistically accessible education for Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf Blind students. Grounded in Deafhood principles and bilingual (ASL-English) pedagogy, this position promotes systemic change by integrating Deaf cultural values into institutional practices, instructional frameworks, and school-wide policies. Operating at both the student and systems level, the specialist supports the development of Deaf identity, language access, and self-advocacy among students while also providing training, coaching, and consultation to staff. This role collaborates closely with educators, administrators, families, and Deaf community organizations to enhance instructional quality, family engagement, and program-wide implementation of ASL-English bilingual education models. The specialist also fosters partnerships, influences inclusive leadership practices, and strengthens school-community relations to ensure the cultural and linguistic rights of Deaf learners are honored. The Bilingual-Bicultural Specialist also provides direct supervision, guidance, and performance evaluation for all American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on CSDB campus, ensuring high-quality interpreting services that align with the communication needs of Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind students. This role blends direct student services with professional development, curriculum support, and strategic consultation to build a culturally affirming and linguistically rich school environment from PK through 21 years old.

Job Function:

Student Support and Empowermen t

- Support students in developing a strong Deaf identity, self-advocacy skills, and cultural confidence.

- Facilitate culturally responsive teaching practices that reflect Deaf lived experiences.

- Consult with educators and support staff to address individual student needs related to language, communication, and cultural identity.

Professional Development and Staff Training

- Provide professional development workshops on Deaf culture and Deafhood during student assemblies and school events.

- Lead professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on ASL instruction and Deaf cultural topics.

- Coach teachers to enhance ASL fluency and implement culturally responsive strategies.

- Provide coaching, training, and consultation to educators, SLPs, and staff on:

Bilingual (ASL-English) and bicultural education models, Deaf culture, identity, and values, Deafhood and cultural affirmation, Audism and systemic bias in education, Effective collaboration with Deaf professionals and families.

Curriculum and Instructional Collaboration

- Collaborate with teachers, ASL and literacy assessment specialists, student service providers, and administrators to identify, adapt, or develop rigorous, standards-based literacy and ASL curricula aligned with bilingual-bicultural pedagogy.

- Collaborate with SLPs and service providers to align language support services.

- Design and implement strategies that support sustainable ASL-English bilingual programming across the school system.

Family Engagement and Outreach

- Engage families in understanding ASL, Deaf culture, and bilingual development through direct support and outreach.

- Connect families to community-based ASL learning opportunities and resources

- Build trust with families through culturally competent engagement strategies

- Serve as a liaison to bridge cultural understanding between families and the educational system.

- Participate in meetings to ensure cultural and communication needs are embedded in educational planning.

System-Level Leadership and Advocacy

- Collaborate with school leaders, agency partners, and Deaf community organizations to promote system-wide change and inclusive policies.

- Partners with leadership to shape inclusive school-wide practices and expectations that reflect Deaf cultural values.

- Advocate for equitable access to both ASL and English in all instructional and extracurricular settings through Deaf-centered programming

- Advocate for equitable ASL and English access in both academic and social settings.

- Promote systemic change that protects and expands language access rights for Deaf learners.

Community Partnerships and Public Relations

- Build and maintain partnerships with Deaf community organizations and support joint initiatives.

- Strengthen school-community relationships to foster culturally affirming environments.

- Develop newsletters and lead public relations efforts to communicate the school’s bilingual-bicultural approach.

Supervisory Responsibilities

- Provides direct supervision and support to ASL interpreters serving Deaf and hard of hearing staff members and students across the CSDB campus and school programs

- Ensures high-quality interpreting services aligned with professional standards, ethical guidelines, and communication access needs, in compliance with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct and National Interpreter Certification (NIC) requirements

- Conducts regular performance monitoring and provides feedback to ensure quality, consistency, and equity of services across campus, including IEP meetings, child studies, co-/extracurricular activities, staff and department meetings, workshops, assemblies, and field trips

- Oversees ongoing professional development and training opportunities to support interpreter growth and effectiveness

- Collaborates with school leadership and departments to ensure appropriate interpreter placement and communication access support

- Addresses interpreter concerns, resolves scheduling conflicts, and fosters a positive and professional work environment

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Master’s degree in Deaf Education, Sign language Education, Deaf Studies or closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university.

- Minimum of 5 years of experience teaching ASL and/or Deaf Culture and/or literacy to children, educators, families, and the community.

- Previous supervisory experience preferred

- Experience working with ASL interpreters, Certified Deaf Interpreters, or coordinating interpreting services

- Proficiency in American Sign Language at the Superior level as demonstrated through an appropriate assessment tool and according to school policy/ procedure.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Bicultural and Culturally Responsive Educational Practices

- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to implement bicultural educational practices that affirm Deaf identity and support the academic and linguistic development of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and hard-of-hearing students

- Capacity to promote high academic expectations while embedding cultural relevance and affirming Deaf identity within instructional goals and classroom practices

- Expertise in literacy development, intervention, instruction, and assessment strategies that are culturally responsive and aligned with the lived experiences and communication needs of Deaf learners, including the use of American Sign Language (ASL) and other accessible modalities

Technology Integration and Instructional Delivery

- Proficiency in leveraging technology tools and platforms (e.g., word processing, data analysis, video conferencing, presentation software) to enhance bicultural instructional delivery, collaborative planning, and assessment

- Ability to integrate technology effectively in culturally and linguistically diverse learning environments—including in-person, hybrid, and remote formats—to engage students in both ASL and English contexts

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

- Strong communication skills with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard of hearing, and hearing colleagues and students; commitment to fostering inclusive and respectful interactions across cultures

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster community, and support culturally affirming relationships among students, staff, and families

- Ability to work cooperatively with others and participate effectively in a team setting

- Ability to collaborate and work effectively in cross-functional, multicultural teams with a shared commitment to Deaf education and cultural responsiveness

Professional and Leadership

- Experience leading professional development, team meetings, or learning communities focused on bicultural practices and cultural humility

- Ability to lead and facilitate training and team meetings effectively

- Receptiveness to constructive feedback and ability to engage in reflective professional growth within a bicultural framework

- Ability to respond effectively and positively to feedback

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:Reports to and is evaluated by Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Terms of Employment

- Full-time, scheduled to work the standard number of days in the academic year (as per the established School Calendar, currently 195 days, August to June), with 5 additional days to serve as a bilingual cultural coach, for a total of 200 days.

- The annual base salary shall be established based upon appropriate education and experience and placement on the non-classified, non D-11 salary schedule

- Employment is at-will, with no actual, expressed, or implied contract.

Effective Date: - School Year 2025-2026

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands:

Generally speaking, the work is performed in a typical school office environment and involves sedentary to light physical activity, requiring exertion of up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Typically, workers are required to climb stairs, bend, reach, and handle objects, and use fingers to operate the computer and/or typewriter keyboard. Work requires expression or exchange of ideas and the ability to receive detailed information. Work requires ability to compare, compile, analyze, and coordinate data/ information; ability to instruct/train others; and ability to utilize effective interpersonal skills / behaviors.

In addition, work at the elementary school level involves heavy physical activity, requiring exertion of up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and routinely requires stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. Work at the middle school / high school level involves very heavy physical activity, requiring exertion in excess of 100 lbs. of force occasionally. Work with Special Needs students will require exertion of force frequently.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supplemental Information

Please note that communication relative to this position will occur primarily via e-mail correspondence.

How To Apply:

In addition to the submission of a complete on-line application (to include salary history and references), please upload the items listed below to the on-line application:

+ Applicants are encouraged to submit a current resume. Resumes willnotbe acceptedin lieu of a complete application.

+ Applicants are encouraged to submit recent letters of recommendation (with signature).

+ A copy of current, valid State of Colorado Drivers' License must be submitted with application.

+ If applicable, transcripts must be provided with the application to verify education.

Complete applications must be received by the application deadline / closing date; postmarks will not suffice as timely receipt (for applications not submitted on-line).

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support:

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.

Important Information:

Applications are part of the selection process and will be reviewed by a qualified Human Resources Specialist to determine if applicants meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Applications may also be used as a part of the comparative analysis process to rank candidates and identify a top group for interview. Read this job announcement carefully before completing the on-line application. Applications must specifically address/support applicant qualifications as they relate to the requirements listed in 'Description of Job' and 'Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions and Conditions of Employment/Additional Requirements' sections.If applicable, official transcripts and/or other supporting documentation must be provided with the application to verify education / minimum qualifications / substitution / additional requirements (unofficial or copies of transcripts may serve as temporary verification only; applicant(s) selected for hire will be required to provide official transcripts to verify education). Failure to complete the application properly and include required information and/or documents, or if applications do not demonstrate that experience and/or education are consistent with the categories listed on this announcement, may result in the applicant not being considered for this position. Also, in order to be considered for this position, complete applications must be received by the application deadline/closing date. Applicants will be notified of the results of this review.

Please refer to the CO-Jobs State Employment Opportunities website (careers.colorado.gov (https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/jobs) ) for the following information:

+ State Employment FAQs

+ Address Confidentiality Program

+ ADA Accommodations

+ Residency Requirements

Compensation / Benefits:

For more information about insurance benefits, visit the State of Colorado website:https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

The State of Colorado believes thatequity, diversity, and inclusiondrive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Joseph Bloom / Human Resources Manager, at email: [email protected] or call (719) 578-2114.

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

As a condition of employment, selected applicant(s) will be required to submit to and pass a background check, to include Colorado and Federal criminal history checks, employment verification, and professional / personal reference checks. Employment verification and reference checks may be conducted without applicant authorization. Are you willing to submit to a background check as described, as a condition of employment?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Have you ever been non-renewed, or resigned in lieu of non-renewal?

+ Yes

+ No

03

In detail please describe any relevant experience you have to this role

04

This position is assigned to work with students who are Deaf / hard-of-hearing and require proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) at the SUPERIOR skill level or above, as demonstrated by an appropriate assessment tool and according to school policy/procedures. Please check one box below to describe / indicate your current level of ASL proficiency.

+ SUPERIOR (4+) - Able to have a fully shared conversation, with in-depth elaboration for both social and work topics.

+ ADVANCED (3+) - Able to have a generally shared conversation with good, spontaneous elaboration for both social and work topics.

+ INTERMEDIATE (2+) - Able to discuss with some confidence routine social and work topics within a conversational format with some elaboration;

+ SURVIVAL (1+) - Able to discuss basic social and work topics with responses generally 1-3 sentences in length.

+ NOVICE (0+) - Able to provide single sign and some short phrase/sentence responses to basic questions signed at a slow-to-moderate rate with frequent repetition and rephrasing.

+ NO FUNCTIONAL SKILLS (0) - (May be) Able to provide short single sign and "primarily" fingerspelled responses to some basic questions signed at a slow rate with extensive

05

If you were referred from a current CSDB Staff member, please provide their name.

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

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Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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