General Information

POSITION SUMMARY
The Office of Multilingual Learning (OMLL) Specialist is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective multilingual courses and the integration of language development standards into the K-12 core curricula. This role supports the implementation of English Learner (EL) curricula and pedagogical practices, elevates the instructional knowledge and skills of educators, and designs/delivers professional development for multilingual programming across both specialized and general education classrooms.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The MLL Specialist will report to the Assistant Director of the Office of Multilingual Learning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Education, Language Acquisition or a related field.
• Valid MN K-12 ESL Teaching License.
• At least four (4) years of successful K-12 classroom teaching experience directly serving multilingual learners / English learners, inclusive of demonstrated experience utilizing student data and formative assessments to plan, differentiate, and drive classroom instruction.
• At least two (2) years of experience designing and delivering professional development or training sessions to adult learners (e.g., workshops, professional learning communities, staff meetings).
• At least one year of experience coordinating and implementing projects and initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PELSB issued World or Heritage language License.
• Bilingual and biliterate fluency in one or more of the prominent languages represented in the SPPS community: Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or Karen.
• Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) issued World Language or Heritage Language License.
• Direct experience serving as an English Learner (EL) teacher within Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS).
• Demonstrated operational experience working with and implementing the mandates of the Latino Consent Decree (LCD).
• Five (5) or more years of teaching experience, with a proven track record in instructional leadership roles (e.g., instructional coach, department chair, curriculum writer).
• Proven experience navigating politically charged educational environments or handling conflict-based issues with professional objectivity.
• Deep, practical familiarity with the WIDA 2020 Standards Framework and its integration into core content areas.
• Advanced training or implementation experience with culturally responsive frameworks, specifically Zaretta Hammond's Ready for Rigor Framework.
• Strong working knowledge of SPPS K-12 Tier 1 Curriculum and pedagogical practices.
• Experience assisting with the preparation, writing, or compliance monitoring of educational grant proposals.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:

Curriculum Development & Instructional Support

• Standards Integration: Update and refine K-12 curricula to align with current state standards and language development best practices.
• Program Implementation: Support a comprehensive English Language Development (ELD) program that addresses students' academic, personal, and social linguistic needs.
• Instructional Coaching: Share effective language strategies with district staff via individual coaching, collaborative walkthroughs, and site visits to model classroom instruction.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with diverse content areas, departments, and community stakeholders to ensure seamless, effective multilingual program integration.

Professional Development & Capacity Building

• PD Design & Facilitation: Create and deliver high-quality professional development that equips educators and leaders with culturally responsive instructional practices for both EL and general education classrooms.
• Continuous Learning: Attend mandatory professional growth sessions and actively transfer acquired skills to district staff, anchoring all training in the district's mission and vision.
• Meeting Facilitation: Plan and lead high-impact meetings, training sessions, and working groups for a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Strategic Alignment, Data & Administration

• Strategic Goal Support: Drive the execution of the district's strategic plan, focusing heavily on improving academic outcomes for multilingual learners.
• Board Alignment: Assist in the implementation and achievement of the Board of Education's BIGG Goals.
• Data-Driven Monitoring: Monitor EL service delivery by collecting and analyzing student progress data; present actionable program recommendations to the Executive Director or designee.
• Funding & Grants: Assist in the preparation, writing, and submission of grant proposals and applications to secure supplemental programming resources.

Leadership & Workplace Culture

• Navigating Complex Environments: Maintain high integrity, honesty, and courage when navigating politically charged situations, keeping student best interests at the center of all decisions.
• Inclusive Culture: Contribute to the district's inclusion efforts by fostering a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all staff, students, and families.

Perform other related duties as assigned to support the evolving needs of the department.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, mandates, and compliance regulations directly affecting MLL programming, funding, and classroom instruction.
• Strong knowledge of the SPPS K-12 Tier 1 Curriculum core components and associated evidence-based pedagogical practices.
• Deep operational knowledge of the WIDA 2020 Standards Framework and its application to academic language development across content areas.
• Advanced knowledge of culturally responsive curriculum, instruction, resources, and pedagogy, with specific expertise in Zaretta Hammond's Ready for Rigor Framework.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current research, evidence-based practices, effective instructional strategies, and high-quality curricular materials centered on language development and multilingual programming.
• Robust understanding of effective adult learning strategies, methodologies, and engagement techniques tailored for educators across a variety of instructional and leadership roles.
• Proven experience designing and delivering high-impact, engaging professional development sessions for both small and large groups of educators.
• Skill in designing, analyzing, and using classroom-level formative assessments and student performance data to drive instruction, plan interventions, and differentiate learning for both staff and students.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to synthesize and effectively communicate information to multiple, diverse stakeholder groups through various modern methods.
• Proficiency in utilizing and embedding modern technology tools to support, enhance, and innovate adult professional learning and student classroom engagement.
• Exceptionally organized, with a demonstrated skill set to balance multiple competing responsibilities, track deliverables, and manage complex educational projects smoothly.
• Ability to interact effectively, empathetically, and collaboratively with multiple constituencies from deeply diverse cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain strict professional objectivity, composure, and critical thinking when confronted with conflict-based issues, sensitive topics, or emotionally charged individuals.
• Ability to translate complex language acquisition theories and frameworks into actionable classroom strategies that general education and specialized teachers can immediately implement.
• Ability to work across departments and school sites to build consensus, advocate for MLL student needs, and foster an inclusive, safe, and welcoming district culture.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel frequently and reliably between various district school sites, administrative buildings, and community meeting locations throughout the workday.
• Ability to alternate between prolonged periods of sitting (at a desk or in meetings) and standing/walking (during classroom walkthroughs, modeling lessons, and delivering day-long professional development sessions).
• The employee is frequently required to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone.
• Hearing and speaking capacity sufficient to communicate effectively in person, online, and over the phone in both quiet office spaces and active, noisy classroom environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and transport instructional materials, presentation equipment, or training supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Continuous digital dexterity required to operate computers, tablets, projection systems, audiovisual equipment, presentation systems and other interactive educational technology tools.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to maintain mental focus, cognitive flexibility, and high attention to detail while frequently switching tasks, managing multiple project deadlines, and responding to interruptions.
• Mental capacity to review, process, and analyze complex student data reports, legal mandates, and curriculum frameworks to formulate actionable strategies.
• Capacity to maintain a professional, calm, and empathetic demeanor when handling high-stress situations, addressing parent or community concerns, or navigating conflicting viewpoints among staff.
• Ability to work effectively within diverse environments, ranging from quiet individual administrative work to highly collaborative, fast-paced school buildings and public stakeholder forums.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities, deadlines, and district-wide initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to engage in sustained critical thinking, problem-solving, and planning in both instructional and operational contexts.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in standard office environments (district administrative buildings) and dynamic K-12 school environments (classrooms, media centers, and staff lounges). Subject to varying noise levels ranging from quiet office spaces to highly active, bustling school buildings, cafeterias, and auditoriums during school visits and community events.

Travel throughout the district may be required to conduct site visits, facilitate professional development, and attend meetings across different school buildings. Work schedule typically follows a standard professional work week; however, evening or extended hours may occasionally be required to facilitate community stakeholder meetings, Board events, or parent forums.

Fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, driven by academic calendars, state reporting deadlines, and immediate school support needs. High levels of public and professional interaction require constant collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to maintain positive working relationships under the scrutiny of diverse community interest groups.

WORK SCHEDULE, PAY, AND BENEFITS
This is a 11-month position working 40 hours per week.

Pay range for this position is: $62,727 - $112,886
Maximum hiring step = Step Eleven (11)

The full salary schedule is listed in the ASAP contract. Salary information for this job posting can be found at this link https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/labor-agreements and by selecting the "ASAP" Labor agreement.

Benefit information for this position can be found at this link https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summaries-by-bargaining-unit and by selecting the "ASAP - Full Time" link.

Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment. Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account. Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance.

HOW TO APPLY
To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.

The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.

To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the "Additional Attachments" link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments. Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.

This posting will close on July 27, 2026.

OTHER INFORMATION
Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.

Veteran's Preference - If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran's preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.