Reading Specialist - Academic Programs

Main Job Tasks And Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and coaching services in the assessment of reading and language arts skills with the development and implementation of an action plan for identified schools
• Collaborate with diverse building teams to offer additional support in literacy
• Utilize building data to identify areas in need of support
• Conduct root cause analysis and prioritize action steps
• Define successful outcomes for action steps and determine data collection methods to monitor progress
• Assist building reading specialists and teachers in understanding students’ reading and language arts abilities and the importance of appropriate supports and/or interventions
• Develop professional learning based on the assessed needs
• Provide information regarding reading and language arts progress to teachers, the building leadership team, and the division
• Support and demonstrate core values of Stafford Schools
• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position
• Respond to written and oral requests for information promptly and thoroughly

Education And Experience

• Hold a Postgraduate Professional license with an endorsement as a Reading Specialist
• At least three (3) years of successful full-time reading specialist experience in which the coaching of reading was the predominant responsibility

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge:
  • Reading and language arts instructional strategies
  • Literacy development, current theory and practices in reading and language arts instruction, and various assessment strategies
  • Standardized tests and the procedures in developing corrective strategies
  • Adult learning theory and incorporating it into professional learning development
  • Instructional coaching for individuals and groups
  • Knowledge of the Science of Reading and the requirements of the Virginia Literacy Act
• Skills:
  • Relate positively to internal and external stakeholders
  • Conduct needs based assessments
  • Analyze data to determine areas of strength, opportunities for growth, and problems of practice
  • Display effective communication skills
  • Manage multiple projects
  • Maintain a high level of self-awareness and reflective practices to evaluate and enhance processes, behaviors, and outcomes
• Abilities:
  • Interact effectively with others, remain flexible, and collaborate in diverse team environments
  • Organize and perform work independently
  • Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects
  • Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

• Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise, temperatures that are controlled, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job:
• standing for prolonged periods
• sitting for prolonged periods
• moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively
• moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively
• feeling, grasping, or holding objections by hand
• identifying colors visually
• identifying objects in low light or distant conditions
• communicating via spoken language
• communicating via written language
• perceiving sounds
• making decisions using logic and rational thinking