Reading Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Reading Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Educational Programs/Literacy

REPORTS TO: VP of Educational Programs

SALARY/FLSA STATUS: Part Time/Hourly

ORGANIZATION MISSION:

The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay is to prepare youth and young adults to be future-ready by providing life-changing programs, real-life experiences, and clear pathways to succeed in the classroom, the workplace and life.

Be part of an exciting organization that fosters diverse community relationships, and engages with community partners, funders, and vendors in the Greater Tampa Bay area. BGCGTB is a fast-paced, energetic, nonprofit organization with over 300 dedicated staff members.

POSITION SUMMARY:

 The Reading Specialist is a key member of Club programs that will increase literacy development of Club members. The individual will be responsible for working closely with the VP of Educational Programs and the Educational Programs Coordinator, while implementing the literacy program at his/her designated Boys & Girls Club location. The Reading Specialist will also collaborate with all Club staff.

The Reading Specialist will be familiar with reading research, reading state standards, reading assessments, evidence-based reading strategies, and use this information to identify gaps, support growth, and plan explicit small group instruction. 

This position is after school Monday through Friday, from 3 to 6 PM for a total of 15 hours per week.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

 1. Learning Environment

• Create a child centered literacy environment.
• Develop and maintain rapport with all stakeholders including students, families, and club staff.
• Maximize student learning time using effective time management strategies.
• Facilitate the integration of reading skills/strategies/technology into the reading programs.

2. Knowledge and Expertise

• Demonstrate evidence-based reading and literacy strategies.
• Remain current with Reading Research and Literacy Research.

3. Assessment/Evaluation

• Use multiple data sources to plan, implement, and evaluate student progress; use data to evaluate reading instruction and practices.
• Keep accurate records of student data.
• Assist in formal and informal data collection processes.

4. Related Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain and submit accurate, complete, and correct records and required reports.
• Communicate using multiple means in a professional manner. Ex. text, email, written, and oral.
• Encourage lifelong learning and cross-curricular use of literacy (STEM, Art, Music, etc.)
• Attend and participate in all required meetings.

*Other duties as assigned*.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in reading or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Valid state teaching certification.
• Must be able to clear a level II background screening (https://info.flclearinghouse.com) and drug screening through one of our vendors.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience, English Language Arts (ELA) or reading experience preferred.
• An understanding of theories of literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading and reading intervention.
• Knowledge of the practices and principles of non-profit organizations a plus.
• Group leadership skills, including an understanding of group dynamics.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems in collaboration with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Club staff, subordinates, board members, community groups and other related agencies.
• Demonstrated organizational, staff and project management abilities.
• Experience with the Lexia digital learning platform is a plus.

• Training in Social/Emotional Learning and/or Trauma Informed Care is a plus.

TRAVEL:

Travel may be required to multiple Club facilities throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County for training and/or other business purposes.

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 accommodation 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, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, and use a keyboard. The employee may be occasionally required to bend and lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate - high. Flexibility to working schedules may be required due to changing needs.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in the classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Reasonable accommodation will be possible and based on an individual basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination because of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.