K-3 Reading Specialist at Geary County USD 475 in Junction City, KS

Job description

Geary County USD 475 Job Description Classification: Certified (Temporary Position Ending May 2028) Division/Department: Teaching and Learning Department Job Category: Teacher FLSA: Exempt Title: K-3 Reading Specialist Reports To: Director of Teaching and Learning QUALIFICATIONS Valid Kansas teaching license. Reading Specialist endorsement preferred or willingness to obtain. Minimum of five years of successful elementary teaching experience. Demonstrated knowledge of structured literacy, the Science of Reading, and explicit, systematic instruction. Knowledge of literacy development, diagnostic assessment, intervention design, and progress monitoring. Strong understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Student Improvement Team processes. Ability to collect, analyze, and use student data to make instructional decisions and evaluate intervention effectiveness. Ability to provide effective one-to-one and small-group instruction for students with significant reading needs. Strong oral and written communication, collaboration, organization, and recordkeeping skills. Ability to partner effectively with classroom teachers, administrators, support personnel, and families. Commitment to continuous professional learning and evidence-based literacy practice. BASIC FUNCTION/PURPOSE The K-3 Reading Intervention Specialist supports the district's early literacy goals by providing intensive, evidence-based reading intervention for Kindergarten through Third Grade students identified as High Risk through universal screening and other district-approved assessment measures. The specialist uses diagnostic information and progress-monitoring data to design, deliver, and adjust targeted instruction aligned with Kansas literacy requirements, structured literacy practices, and district MTSS processes. The specialist will support students in small groups to support individual learning and growth. The specialist collaborates with teachers, administrators, intervention teams, and families to accelerate student growth and increase the number of students reaching grade-level reading expectations by the end of third grade. This position is being piloted through Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant funding. The specialist will support implementation monitoring, outcome review, and grant-related documentation so district leaders can evaluate effectiveness and sustainability. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provide targeted and tiered literacy intervention for K-3 students identified as High Risk, using one-to-one or appropriately sized small-group instruction based on student need. 2. Deliver explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension. 3. Administer and interpret district-approved universal screening, diagnostic, and progress-monitoring measures. 4. Develop, implement, and maintain individualized literacy intervention plans in partnership with the student's instructional team and, when required, the parent or guardian. 5. Use student performance data to establish intervention goals, determine instructional groupings, select evidence-based practices, and adjust instruction. 6. Provide and document the required intervention minutes for assigned students in accordance with Kansas requirements and district procedures. 7. Maintain accurate records of intervention attendance, instructional focus, assessment results, student growth, plan updates, and family communication. 8. Collaborate with classroom teachers to connect intervention instruction with core literacy instruction while ensuring that intervention is supplemental and targeted to identified skill needs. 9. Participate in MTSS, Student Improvement Team, data review, and problem-solving meetings. 10. Communicate regularly with families regarding student needs, intervention plans, progress, and practical strategies for supporting literac