Position Summary

The Learning Specialist for Reading, Literacies and Library Media shall provide expert consultation and specialized training to school district and county office personnel related to reading/language arts, 21st Century literacies, educational technology and library services. The Learning Specialist will provide leadership for the library and learning resources functions at the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE), including oversight of the subscriptions and circulating collections of learning materials. The Learning Specialist will also assume significant responsibility for assisting in overall program planning, supervision and evaluation of various professional learning components within the department, including assisting in the selection, scheduling, monitoring and evaluation of personnel contracted to provide support services through the HCOE. Depending upon the need, the Learning Specialist may also be required to write grants on behalf of the county office, conduct needs assessments and/or plan, develop and assist in the implementation of new programs conducted by the county office or sponsored in partnership with other local school districts and other educational organizations.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Learning Specialist will be responsible for oversight of the Humboldt Educational Resource Center (HERC), including universal services offered to districts, the Teacher Center and the Learning Resource Display Center (LRDC). In addition, this position will be the lead support for districts for English Language Arts and potentially other areas, such as technology and computer science. The position may occasionally require working after hours and weekends.

Supervision Received & Exercised

This position is under the general supervision of the Director of Learning Support Services.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as “research-based strategies expert” for instructional program planning, presenting, facilitating, collaborating, coaching, creating and curating resources within one or more areas of expertise based upon knowledge, experience and/or specialized training pertinent to reading, 21st Century literacies and libraries and including technologies integration skills;
• Builds rapport and works in relationship with local district personnel and assists in assessing staff development needs;
• Participates as a member of the Learning Specialists team(s) within the area(s) of expertise;
• Designs, plans and delivers staff development opportunities on-site and county-wide, both on an individual basis and as a member of a team, including demonstration teaching lessons;
• Works in concert with districts on parent and community engagement efforts;
• Manages the day-to-day operations of the HERC, including weeding of collections and purchase selections in consultation with teams of Learning Specialists;
• Schedules, monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of HERC support staff as assigned;
• Develops and administers a limited budget;
• Assists in the planning, organizing and conducting of conferences, seminars and workshop series;
• Assists in the liaison efforts between HCOE and other educational institutions, including school districts, College of the Redwoods, Humboldt State University and other county offices in the North Coast region;
• Develops grant proposals and assists in supervising various special projects conducted by the department;
• Actively engages in an ongoing program of professional development to maintain and improve management skills and leadership abilities;
• Recommends new procedures and changes in existing procedures governing the implementation and management of the department;
• Identifies and procures necessary materials and supplies needed to ensure successful program implementation;
• Prepares content for newsletters and other informative materials for distribution to educators, administrators, parents and the community;
• Attends program-related meetings and conferences as needed;
• Performs related duties as assigned that support the overall goals of the department.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Child development principles and age-appropriate learning strategies;
• Instructional methods for designing materials and activities that are engaging;
• Typical computer software applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and Google Suite;
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with professional staff and representatives of other agencies in written and oral form;
• Make small and large group presentations, including demonstration teaching skills and workshop/conference speaking;
• Establish and maintain effective, positive and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Maintain records, compile and verify data;
• Adapt to changing work demands;
• Manage task priorities to meet deadlines;
• Work effectively under varying degrees of stress.

Education and Experience

Minimum required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Possess at least 5 years of successful teaching/librarian experience.
• Possess a California Library Media Services Credential or be willing to enroll in courses to obtain credential.
• California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL) and/or Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate.

Preferred:

• Possess specialized skills, specific experience and advanced training and/or certification within one or more core academic areas of the school curriculum, preferably reading or English/language arts.
• Experience at both elementary and secondary levels is highly desirable.
• Possess a California Administrative Services Credential.

Working Conditions (Work Environment)

The Learning Specialist for Reading, Literacies and Library Media provides services in the office, as well as in various sites throughout the county, sometimes serving multiple sites in a single workday. This position may be required to adjust work hours in a reasonable manner to accommodate program needs.

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 (Consideration will be given to reasonable accommodation for the following physical requirements.)

• Sit, stand and/or move about for extended periods;
• Visual acuity to read and write printed materials and computer screens;
• Hearing and speech abilities for ordinary and telephonic conversations;
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds;
• Hand-eye-arm and finger dexterity.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Schedule B Class 1 (194 Days) | GTE:gb 3/3/16 | Updated 2/7/2024