Literacy Specialist

Organization Background:

ICEF (Inner City Education Foundation) Public Schools is a nonprofit charter school management organization serving communities in the South Los Angeles area. ICEF Public Schools operates high-quality, tuition-free, public charter elementary, middle and high schools. ICEF’s vision is to transform South Los Angeles into a stable, economically vibrant community by providing first-rate educational opportunities for students within their school communities. ICEF’s mission is to prepare all students to attend and compete at the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation.

Position Description:

The Reading 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 improving 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, track and analyze reading data, create system-wide policies and procedures, and facilitate and lead professional development.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Cycle: 11 months

Salary: $65,000-$100,000

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

Reporting:

This position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Essential Functions:

READING INTERVENTION 60%

• Work with ELA teachers to develop and execute equitable and standards-aligned based intervention lesson plans
• 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 25%

• Lead the implementation 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 training and support in the area of English Language Development.
• Support teachers through observations, planning, and modeling the various components of an ELA lesson as well as debriefing and giving feedback during teacher check-in meetings

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 15%

• 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 the science of reading, small group planning, and data analysis.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree (required), Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Hold a valid, Clear California Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential (or an equivalent out-of-state credential which is transferrable to California)
• Experience working with adult learners, coaching teachers, and delivering professional development
• A deep understanding of instruction, including theories of literacy and effective math instruction
• A deep understanding of the CA Common Core Standards, current trends and best practices in curriculum design and instruction
• At least 4 years of teaching experience in an urban school setting, serving low income and minority students, at multiple grade levels.
• Experience coaching, leading and supporting teachers
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low- income students
• Significant experience with curriculum development, daily lesson planning, and unit planning.
• At least 2 years of experience leading other teachers to achieve strong academic results with historically underachieving students
• Excellence in time management, taking initiative, and follow-through
• Experience in analyzing data and using results to modify instructional practices
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to help our students reach a level of academic excellence
• 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

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 US

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Hold a valid, Clear California Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential (or an equivalent out-of-state credential which is transferrable to California)

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 be made to 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.