Literacy Specialist
Job Description
Job Description
Job Summary : Responsible professional work delivering educational support services utilizing a broad range of prescribed approaches, specialized instruction, and tools to promote literacy.
Involves a broad range of training and development activities, assessment skills, and consultation and requires quality documentation of services provided.
Participates in the organization’s continuous quality improvement efforts.
Essential Functions :
- Helps children to develop literacy skills needed to enrich their lives and further their goals.
- Assesses and gathers information about child’s reading deficiencies in order to help implement a plan for literacy support.
- Attends the Family Team Conference with the intention of participating as a multidisciplinary team member to assist with development of a support plan and increasing effectiveness of the group's teamwork.
- Completes timely documentation in accordance with program requirements.
- Provides direct support services to SEEDS students utilizing designated curriculum.
- Monitors ongoing academic progress of the student; and serves as a liaison between the family, SEEDS Family Support Coordinator, and School Teacher.
- Conducts pre and post reading assessments in order to measure progress and participates in the plan at closure.
- Services as a resource to families and develops a plan for educating parents in the area of early literacy.
- Maintains fidelity to the SEEDS program model.
- Participates as a member of the SEEDS Team.
- Evaluates effectiveness of the Family Service Plan as it relates to literacy support.
- Works within the philosophy and function of Children’s Home Network
- Adheres to virtual office procedures
- Performs other duties as assigned*
THESE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF ALL DUTIES PERFORMED. EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OTHER JOB RELATED MARGINAL DUTIES AS REQUIRED.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :
Education and Experience :
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college required, with at least two years of experience working with children and families.
Bachelor’s Degree must be in a field related to elementary education, literacy, or related field.
- Preferred individuals with experience in working with English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) / English Language Learners (ELL).
- This individual must have a working knowledge of Florida’s Benchmark for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for English Language Arts (ELA), with at least 2 years of experience in working with students indicating a range of reading abilities.
Licenses & Certifications :
- Preferred Teaching Certification
- Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license with no record of criminal driving offense of license suspension.
- Must possess means of providing job related transportation and show proof of required insurance. Must be insurable under CHN’s current auto insurance policy.
- Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Must successfully complete and maintain FDLE clearance, Federal background and state criminal background checks, and sexual predator screening.
COMPETENCIES & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT :
Annual Training Requirements :
The following training topics are required annually : Sexual Harassment, Blood borne Pathogens, Workplace Accident Prevention and Reporting, Confidentiality and Privacy Practices, Diversity / Cultural Competency, Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Statutes and Methods, Prevention of Violence in the Workplace, OSHA related training, Crisis Prevention, and other Programmatic Trainings.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities :
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with families, coworkers, supervisors, and other individuals.
Possess effective interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of agency’s organizational structure, standard operating procedures, and policies.
- Knowledge of child abuse or neglect reporting procedures and methods.
- Knowledge of infant and child development inclusive of developmentally appropriate strategies.
- Knowledge of intervention and behavior management methods, strategies, and techniques.
- Knowledge of quality documentation as required by agency standards, rules, and regulations.
- Ability to conduct reading assessments and develop goals, and to provide follow-up services.
- Knowledge of Florida’s Benchmark for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for English Language Arts (ELA)
- Ability to work as a multi-disciplinary team member in a positive, productive manner.
Essential Physical Skills :
- Visual : ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, read printed materials, and make observations of physical facilities.
- Hearing : ability to understand and comprehend spoken dialogue in individual and group settings.
- Ability to speak clearly and effectively.
- Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
Environmental Conditions :
- Works within an office environment, home office, family’s home, or within the community.
- High level of emotional discussions, requiring self-awareness and understanding of professional boundaries.