Significant Support Needs Literacy Specialist

Position: Literacy Specialist

Schedule: 8 am-4 pm, M-F. This position is a temporary position lasting 4 years.

Starting Salary Range: * $55,000-$68,750 annually

*The stated starting salary pay range for this position is meant to reflect a range of where a typical entry level candidate would start and is not meant to be all inclusive. Additional education and experience may result in a starting pay outside of the stated range.*

If you genuinely care about providing youth and/or adults with a sense of direction and hope, then you’ll get huge satisfaction from this role. Your influence will not only impact the lives of youth and/or adults, but the community as a whole. Laradon staff work extremely hard and are challenged every day, but they play a key role in supporting the well-being of the individuals that we serve.

As a Literacy Specialist you will be a valuable asset to Laradon’s mission by developing a system for direct instruction in emergent literacy and functional literacy to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Laradon School. Skill building in these areas will give students the opportunity to make progress toward their academic and post-school IEP goals, which will give them access to participating in less restrictive learning, working, and living environments over time.

No day is ever alike but you can generally look forward to the following responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with implementation team to select assessment tools and determine systems for data collection.
• Work collaboratively with implementation team to select instructional resources and materials.
• Co-teach with classroom teachers to provide direct instruction/intervention in reading.
• Provide training, staff development, and coaching to teachers in literacy instruction/intervention, progress monitoring, and assessment.
• Provide staff development in the differentiation of literacy intervention to meet individualized student needs.
• Provide staff development for paraprofessionals in supporting literacy instruction.
• Engage stakeholders in planning and implementation of the project.
• Provide regular updates and communication to all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with licensed staff to support the IEP process.
• Demonstrate knowledge of behavior intervention plans, crisis intervention techniques, to include prevention strategies and response to challenging behaviors.
• Analyze data to inform instructional practices and school improvement goals.
• Maintain files and appropriate documentation.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• As Laradon is a small employer and employees work in a collaborative, team environment, employee must be physically present in school to perform his/her job functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

We proudly support our employees by providing the following benefits for this position:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/FSA
• 401(k) + 4% Match
• 9 Weeks of Paid School Breaks/Holidays and 100 Hours of Accrued Paid Time Off Annually
• Bilingual Pay Differential
• Tuition and Certification Reimbursement
• Student Loan Assistance
• Laradon is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Onsite Employee Counseling Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Long Term Disability, Life, Cancer, Accident, and Pet Insurance
• EcoPass: Unlimited rides on RTD buses and trains for full-time employees
• Referral Bonuses (get paid to work with friends!)
• Committee participation opportunities (DEIB/A, Employee Appreciation)
• Development, job growth, and internal training
• The opportunity to work in a dynamic, supportive, and rewarding environment alongside other Laradon staff – one where everyone is truly appreciated
• CDC and CDPHE protocols to ensure the safety and welfare of all employees.

We believe in providing continuing education and development opportunities for our employees. To start you off right in your position, we’ll make sure you are trained in the following:

• Orientation
• Mandatory Reporting
• Incident Reporting
• First Aid/CPR
• Safety Care/Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Defensive Driving
• Person Centered Training
• Trauma Informed Care
• QMAP
• Professional Boundaries

We look forward to what you will bring to our workplace:

• Current Colorado Department of Education License in Special Education or Special Service Provider.
• Evidenced-Based Training in Teaching Reading as required by Colorado Department of Education 
• Excellent communication skills and flexibility.
• Ability to work with diverse student population and staff.
• Physical requirements include the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force; physical condition to enable walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; stamina to be on feet and active for full workdays

Preferred Requirements:

• One year experience in a licensed position working with students with intellectual disabilities

• One year experience providing literacy instruction or literacy intervention

• Experience working with linguistically and culturally diverse students

• Knowledge of Applied Behavioral Analysis

• Demonstrated ability to manage large projects or initiatives

• Valid driving license, good driving record, vehicle insurance

Our commitment to you once you get here:

Laradon is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our DEI policy supports and strengthens Laradon’s mission of promoting advocacy, community access and independence for the individuals we serve and celebrating the unique differences and abilities of our employees. We honor and celebrate the contributions of ALL individuals in our workplace and in the community.

To provide culturally competent services to individuals, students, guests, and staff/employees, our hiring practices reflect our values by offering an environment that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusion. All of our team members – regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, language, abilities/disabilities, veteran status, religion, citizenship, socioeconomic status, geographic region, or other defining characteristics – should feel a sense of belonging and value. We applaud everyone.

Our Values: 

Inclusion | Compassion | Advocacy | Respect | Empowerment