Adult Literacy Specialist

Location: Administration Office (Livingston, LA)

Schedule: 40 hours weekly (Full Time Status)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Under the direction of the Head of Community Engagement (HCE) is responsible for the system's Adult Literacy and ESL Programs. The Adult Literacy Specialist is responsible for organizing, planning, developing, and operating both programs as well as interviewing, training and monitoring volunteers. The Adult Literacy Specialist has no direct reports but ensures that Adult Literacy and ESL volunteers adhere to all pertinent Library Policies and Procedures. The position fills an important and needed role in the system and the community, and must maintain strict ethical and privacy guidelines at all times. It is a key team member of the Community Engagement Department, and must be flexible on hours to fulfill its essential functions. The position is housed at the Administration Office, but the Adult Literacy Specialist will be required to travel to all library locations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Strengthens the system-wide Livingston Parish Library Adult Literacy Program.
• Interviews and trains Adult Literacy volunteers.
• Meets with Adult Literacy volunteers bi-monthly to assess progress.
• Conducts intake meetings and exit interviews with students.
• Maintains up-to-date confidential files for students and lists of volunteers.
• Selects workbooks, texts, software, and other resources for the program.
• Proctors, grades, and evaluates placement tests for new or prospective students.
• Monitors student progress via goal evaluation and testing.
• Researches informational and community resources as well as effective tutoring and learning methods to assist tutors and students in meeting their goals.
• Maintains contact and positive rapport with students and tutors.
• Coordinates the Livingston Parish Library English as a Second Language Program (ESL) by working with the ESL Specialist/Coordinator.
• Conducts one-on-one tutoring with Adult Literacy clients and ESL clients.
• Teaches monthly Beginning ESL Class; hosted in the evenings.
• In coordination with the Head of Community Engagement, manages the Excel High School Program and coaches participants.
• Writes and prepares programming instructions (LEAFs) for all ESL, Spanish classes, and Adult Writers' Club events.
• Monitors the Adult Literacy Budget, including ordering Adult Literacy and ESL supplies and texts, in coordination with the Library Director and Head of Community Engagement.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• In coordination with the Adult Services Specialist and Programming Assistant, fills supply requests from Adult Coordinators at the library branches.
• Assists with purchase requisitions for adult events.
• Puts together supply boxes for Adult Coordinators at the Administration Building.
• Monitors and sends out supplies for Adult Literacy and ESL events as needed.
• Works with the Adult Services Specialist to prepare and send out SRP supplies and prizes.
• Serves on committees with associated duties as needed, including Comic Con and Book Festival.
• Works as part of a team with the rest of the Community Engagement Department to facilitate and operate large community events.
• Other library-related tasks as needed by the Head of Community Engagement or Library Administration.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Speaks, reads, writes, and comprehends the English language.
• Self-directed, self-motivated; able to follow the Community Engagement Department's goals while growing and developing the Adult Literacy and ESL Programs.
• Capable of independent judgment and discretion while at work.
• Able to follow instructions and directions set by the Library Administration.
• Exceptional professional ethics and discipline required.
• Able to communicate effectively, clearly, and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of individuals and groups, including public presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in teams.
• Awareness of modern Adult Literacy teaching practices.
• Ability to work nights and weekends when necessary.
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of program techniques and volunteers.
• Able to organize and prioritize multiple projects, committees, and tasks.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and gain cooperation among competing interest groups.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office software.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Required:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a related field.
• Experience in tutoring or teaching.

Preferred:

• Ability to speak, read, write, and comprehend the Spanish language.
• A master's degree in library science or a related field.
• Experience in public speaking and dealing with the public via telephone.
• Experience running or participating in community service events.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid Louisiana driver's license with a clean record.
• Must be willing to work some nights and weekends.
• Willingness to be flexible on hours and schedules.

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Livingston Parish Library is an equal opportunity employer.

Conditions of employment: completion of assessment test, transcripts of degree earned (if applicable), and successful completion of background check.

Assessment tests are sent via email after the application is completed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each job duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or a significant risk to their own or others' health or safety. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.