Literacy Specialist

Job Title: Language & Literacy Specialist

Department: Academics

Reports to: Principal

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Cycle: 12 months

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Benefits: Medical, Dental, vision, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, etc.

The Language and Literacy Specialist will work closely with the Home Office Instructional Team, Principal,

Instructional Specialists, and teachers to provide professional development related to reading and writing

instruction, reading intervention, reading across the content areas, and English Language Development for English

Learners. The specialist must take a hands-on approach to improve instruction and effectiveness by working at

various levels (classroom-, school-, system-wide) to directly support instruction, intervention, English Language

Development. This will include working with school site Principals to develop a robust Response to Intervention

program, analyze students’ Lexile levels, implement the Master Plan for English Language Learners, model

lessons in classrooms, help teachers plan instruction, create system-wide policies and procedures, and facilitate

and lead professional development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reading Intervention

• Work with ELA teachers to refine and develop common standards-based pacing plans, mid-year, and end-of-year common assessments for each grade level.
• Work with various teams (administrators, teachers, teacher leaders) to facilitate analysis of data provided by common assessments and formative assessments
• Continuously monitor, track and analyze student achievement data in order to identify needed literacy supports and strategies for all students
• Collaborate with schools to monitor ELL Levels, administer the ELPAC in a timely manner, and reclassify students when needed

Instructional Leadership

• Lead the implementation of a comprehensive reading intervention program as a component of the school's Response to Intervention (RTI) model.
• Provide small group intervention to various groups of students throughout the school day.
• Provide training to school site staff in the area of English Language Development.

Professional Development

• Collaborate with ICEF Home Office Instructional Team to plan and deliver pre-service summer professional development for new and returning staff members aligned to high priority initiatives and outcomes in the area of literacy.
• Support the development of high-quality/effective literacy instruction in ELA, History/SS, Science, and the Technical Subjects in all schools, grades K-8, including observing and coaching teachers to improve instructional planning, teaching practice, and the use of data, assessments, and instructional technology focused on literacy.
• Provide professional development to teachers focused on guided reading lesson planning, groupings, and data analysis.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Reading and/or Reading Specialist Credential or Certificate
• A Valid Clear California Professional Teaching Credential
• Reading Specialist Credential or Reading Certificate required
• Experience working with adult learners, coaching teachers, and delivering professional development
• A deep understanding of theories of literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading, reading intervention, adolescent literacy, Guided Reading, and English Language Development
• Experience with administering and interpreting results from various reading assessments.
• An understanding of the California the Common Core Standards, the Smarter Balanced Assessment
• Consortium, and researched-based best practices in curriculum design and instruction
• At least 5 years of ELA teaching experience in an urban school setting, serving low income and minority students
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low-income students
• Significant experience with ELA and ELD curriculum development and daily lesson planning, including familiarity with the California ELA/ELD Common Core Matrix
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful self-starter willing to do whatever it takes to help ICEF students reach a level of academic excellence
• Excellence in time management, taking initiative, and follow-through
• Model positive and healthy character traits and habits, including the ICEF Core Values
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the ICEF mission and willingness to serve the ICEF community
• Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• Must have completed an apprenticeship or the equivalent within the specific trade/craft area.
• Must be trained in First Aid. CPR and defibrillator training may be required.
• Ability to communicate and maintain good working relations with all District employees, vendors, contractors, and public entities.
• The ability to work effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work while responding to interruptions and changing priorities.
• Initiative and ability to work with minimal direction; sound judgment and decision-making capabilities are essential.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The

requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must believe in and live out ICEF's Core Values
• Must ensure achievement of ICEF’s mission
• Must have an unwavering belief that all students can learn and achieve success in school
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to foster positive working relationships.
• Must be able to interact with stakeholders at all levels (including all staff, parents, students, and community members) in a respectful manner and provide excellent customer service.
• Must be able to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Must have strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills
• Must attend and participate in ICEF staff meetings as required
• Must attend and participate in ICEF training programs as required
• Must have reliable and insured transportation
• Must be able to travel between schools and the home office as required as a condition of employment
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License.
• Must show proof and maintain a clear TB, DOJ, and FBI Clearance
• Must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the US

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; frequently required to talk or hear; and occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to move and/or lift up to twenty-five

(25) pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.