Literacy Specialist

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:

1. Helps children to develop literacy skills needed to enrich their lives and further their goals.

2. Assesses and gathers information about child’s reading deficiencies in order to help implement a plan for literacy support.

3. 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.

4. Completes timely documentation in accordance with program requirements.

5. Provides direct support services to SEEDS students utilizing designated curriculum.

6. Monitors ongoing academic progress of the student; and serves as a liaison between the family, SEEDS Family Support Coordinator, and School Teacher.

7. Conducts pre and post reading assessments in order to measure progress and participates in the plan at closure.

8. Services as a resource to families and develops a plan for educating parents in the area of early literacy.

9. Maintains fidelity to the SEEDS program model.

10. Participates as a member of the SEEDS Team.

11. Evaluates effectiveness of the Family Service Plan as it relates to literacy support.

12. Works within the philosophy and function of Children’s Home Network

13. Adheres to virtual office procedures

14. 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:

• Bilingual Required.

• 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.