Reading Specialist - Nonpublic

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

Bucks IU is seeking a dedicated and experienced Reading Specialist to provide supplementary reading and math instruction to students in nonpublic schools across Bucks County. This role is vital in supporting students who require additional academic assistance, ensuring they achieve their educational goals. Working closely with nonpublic school administrators and teachers on behalf of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, the Reading Specialist will deliver high-quality instructional services. Responsibilities include conducting reading and math assessments, providing targeted remediation, and monitoring student progress. Progress reports are issued twice annually to parents, school personnel, and the Program Director of Federal and Nonpublic Programs.

Essential Functions:

• Proven experience in providing reading and math instruction, preferably in a nonpublic or similar school setting.
• Strong knowledge of reading and math assessment tools and remediation techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with students, parents, and school personnel.
• Ability to work independently and manage a flexible schedule across multiple school sites.
• Develop positive professional relationships within the assigned nonpublic school staff and administration including Bucks IU Speech Therapist and Catapult employees.
• Determine, along with the school principal and faculty, which children should be referred to the reading program.
• Obtain the parental consent of each referred child before the child is seen/enrolled.
• Evaluate the eligibility of either Title I or Act 89 services provided to students based on home residence.
• Evaluate student reading and math present levels of performance.
• Demonstrate organizational skills regarding student scheduling to appropriate groups and mutually agreeable time with the homeroom teacher.
• Foster a classroom environment that encourages positive emotional support and high levels of student engagement.
• Collaborate with the nonpublic school principal and teachers to facilitate student referrals.
• Accurately track and maintain student attendance records.
• Keep detailed records of pre-test and post-test data to monitor student progress.
• Attend faculty meetings or home-school meetings as requested by the principal.
• Notify the IU and nonpublic school office of any schedule changes, including absences.
• Uphold strict confidentiality regarding all student information.
• Work closely with the counseling and psychology departments to implement recommendations from learning assessments.
• Coordinate parent conferences in alignment with the nonpublic school's conferencing schedule or upon parent request.

Other Duties: This position description does not express, nor does it imply that the above duties are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent(s) in this position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Administrator of the department, as needed, to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

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 disabilties to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 193-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Start and end times are dependent on the needs of the nonpublic schools not less than 7.5 hours per day. Occasional evening and /or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: Travel is required and dependent on the assignment within Bucks County. Travel is reimbursed in accordance with current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines and rates.

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

• Valid Pennsylvania Reading Specialist certificate required.
• Special Education certificate beneficial.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Basic computer skills including but not limited to Word, Excel and Outlook.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable) : Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer : The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and susta ining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.