Specialized Bilingual Instructional Assistant; Spanish​/English

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in a diverse urban community in Lansing, MI. Dedicated to providing an excellent education in a safe and nurturing environment, the district offers a wide variety of innovative educational options.

We are hiring a Specialized Bilingual Instructional Assistant for the Welcome Center. The role involves providing differentiated ESL instruction under the supervision of a certified teacher and assisting core content area and general education teachers with instructional and non‑instructional activities. The primary goal is to deliver academic, social, and emotional support to English Learners (EL) across the district’s Language Assistance Program (LAP) buildings.

• Associate's Degree
• 60 completed college credits
• Proof of passing the ETS Paraprofessional Exam
• Fluency in Spanish and English

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree, 60 semester hours of higher education, or passing the ETS Parapro Assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in written forms in English.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate fluently in both oral and written forms in a language other than English.
• Ability to work with students from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, ages, and proficiency levels.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with administrators, teachers, students, parents, and staff under appropriate supervision.
• Proficiency with basic Microsoft Office tools and instructional software.
• Ability to work well in fast‑paced environments with high flexibility.
• Willingness to travel within the district to support the Bilingual Education Department’s mission.
• Strong professional conduct and work ethic, including attendance and punctuality.
• Active desire to grow professionally.

• Assist in ESL core content area courses and general education classrooms to help EL students increase language proficiency and academic achievement.
• Tutor individual students or small groups in academic skill areas, homework, or special projects.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of EL students for evaluation and progress monitoring.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, teachers, and parents to identify learning styles and support instructional adaptations.
• Provide opportunities for the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communication development of EL students.
• Coordinate with building staff to ensure new EL students are welcomed and supported.
• Facilitate a learning environment that promotes successful social and academic experiences related to grade‑level expectations and acculturation.
• Educate students on the American school system and its expectations.
• Develop cross‑cultural competencies in students.
• Supervise students while they are on LMS property or at events.
• Facilitate communication among parents, guardians, and school personnel involved in EL education.

• Stand, walk, and move quickly between indoor and outdoor settings for extended periods.
• Bend, kneel, crouch, and assist with physical transfers or interventions involving students.
• Lift, push, or carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Engage in frequent verbal communication to support students, coordinate with staff, and manage emergent situations.
• Occasional use of computers, radios, and other communication or documentation tools.
• May be exposed to noise, weather conditions, and other elements associated with a school environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Salary: $20.70 – $24.79 per hour

Hours per day: 6.5;
Days per week: 5

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We are an equal‑opportunity employer.

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the district reserves the right to modify responsibilities as needed. Additional job responsibilities may be assigned depending on funding sources.