Specialist-Reading and Literacy

Job Title: Specialist-Reading and Literacy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: 103

Work Days: 226

Reports To: Coordinator of Instructional Services         

Primary Purpose

Provide instructional leadership and expertise in literacy development for students with disabilities and dyslexia through facilitation of professional learning, appropriate coaching, and technical assistance. Model evidence-based practices and support the implementation of structured literacy interventions. Collaborate with educators, district and campus level teams, leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure equitable access to high-quality reading instruction in compliance with state and federal guidelines.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each 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 essential functions.

            Education/Certification

• Valid Texas Teaching Certification, Elementary/Secondary ELAR, preferred
• Master’s degree in Reading, Literacy, Special Education, or related field
• Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT)
• Qualified Instructor, preferred

            Special Knowledge/Skills

• Team-oriented attitude and desire to work collaboratively with ESC staff campus/district/charter school personnel.
• Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced knowledge of reading development, assessment, and instructional strategies aligned with the Science of Reading.
• Familiar with research and evidence-based dyslexia and literacy programs such as Take Flight, MTA, Esperanza, Reading by Design, etc.
• Understanding of the research and literature that undergirds reading and writing instruction for PK–12 students and factors (social, cognitive, and physical) that contribute to reading success.
• Familiar with explicit instruction, co-teaching, and modeling for adults who teach reading.
• Knowledgeable state reading initiatives, assessment frameworks, proficiency standards, and the use of benchmarks and state data to improve student learning.
• Experience implementing district and school-wide reading/literacy programs.

            Experience

• A minimum of five years of experience teaching reading and/or literacy.
• A minimum of three years of successful coaching and facilitation.
• Experience in program development at the campus and/or district level, preferred

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

*This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of those principal job elements essential for making fair hiring and pay decisions. 

**This position may be partially or completely funded using grant and/or federal monies and is assigned programs to include activities designed to enhance the effective and coordinated use of funds.

• Actively participate in and/or provide leadership for inter-departmental teams to help improve student performance in the region, improve the ESC internal operations, and meet the established goals and objectives for the ESC.
• Is responsive as the first point of contact for all stakeholders in the education community.
• Possess a child-centered mindset and ability to develop a strong rapport with multiple stakeholders as it relates to reading and literacy.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of district and school-wide reading/literacy programs and provide appropriate coaching, when needed.
• Knowledgeable of the relationship between first and second language acquisition and literacy development for emergent bilingual learners and students with disabilities in dyslexia and/or reading comprehension.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) or State Guidelines, as well as other state initiatives and standards related to reading and literacy development.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills needed to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders (internal and external).
• Proficiency in using assessment data and tools to identify various reading and literacy challenges to inform and adapt instruction.
• Ability to develop reading and literacy curricula aligned across grade levels (PK-12) that are differentiated and inclusive of specially designed instruction for students with disabilities in reading and writing
• Help PK-12 schools and/or districts evaluate the quality of their reading and writing instruction and make recommendations for improvement.
• Demonstrate effective technology integration skills as appropriate for the role.
• Support teachers in utilizing technology to enhance literacy assessment and instruction.
• Facilitate professional learning in effective reading instructional techniques and strategies, and monitor the impact of learner transfer to practice in the field.
• Collect, analyze, and report on student reading data to inform instruction and policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

None

Equipment/Specialized Software Used

Computers, projection devices, control panels in meeting rooms, printers, productivity software, software specific to the job assignment, network resources, internet resources, and other hardware and software necessary to perform the functions of the job effectively and efficiently.

Working Conditions (Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors)

Mental: Public relations and people skills are always required, work with frequent interruptions, and maintain professional composure and confidentiality under stress.

Physical: Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, ability to move tables and chairs and load/unload boxes and materials. Prolonged use of a computer. Frequent region and state-wide travel.

Environmental:  Open cubicles/workstations

Evaluation

Annual performance evaluation will be performed in accordance with the adopted policies of the Education Service Center Region 11. Employment in this position is contingent upon performance, need, and funding.

Benefits at ESC Region 11

• $645 monthly contribution for Medical Insurance
• Competitive Pay and Growth Opportunities
• Retirement Account Matching Program
• HSA, FSA, Dental, Vision, Life, Cancer Insurance Offered
• 10 Local Sick Paid Days provided Annually (Per School Year)
• 5 State Personal Paid Leave Days provided Annually (Per School Year)

Salary : $80,178 - $97,779