The Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) Office within the Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for full-time Literacy Professional Development and Technical Assistance Specialists/Managers to join our team. This position is for remote work – travel will be required for several in-person meetings per year. For an in-person option, please search for and apply to “Literacy Professional Development and Technical Assistance Provider (R0040762).”

The VLP team concentrates on ensuring the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices in partnerships with state and local entities across Virginia and throughout the nation. VLP administers the state supported literacy screeners from PreK -Grade 3 across the Commonwealth. Pre-K teachers use the Pre-K Language & Literacy Screener and teachers in K-2 use the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener (PALS) assessments, coordinated and supported by the VLP office, to screen for early reading difficulties. Currently, the VLP team is developing a revised literacy screener expanded to include PreK3 through grade 3 students in English, as well as a parallel version in Spanish. Researchers working on this revised literacy screener are also involved in several other reading related research projects, and implementation projects in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education as well as other collaborators across the nation, focused on reading assessment and intervention developed using science-based reading research.

These positions are for individuals who will work closely with both the English and Spanish language and literacy development teams on professional development, teacher support and implementation, with a focus on children in PreK-3rd Grade. Incumbents will work collaboratively with a team on the VLP website, professional learning opportunities, and research and development in support of teachers and administrators across Virginia. The ideal candidate has knowledge of scientifically based reading assessment and instruction, experience working collaboratively on large teams, and providing professional development and outreach services to teachers, schools, and school divisions. Bilingual speaking and writing ability in English/Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior team members to proactively identify, define, and prioritize problems faced by website users, internal colleagues, and project partners and suggest thoughtful, actionable solutions reflecting a thorough situational understanding

• Build a complete working knowledge of the User Interface and Administration aspects of the VLP website and, with the team, test features and the management of online users and assessments on the VLP website

• Assist senior team members in creating professional development materials and webinars focused on supporting PreK-3rd Grade students

• Assist in coordinating distribution of assessment materials to support teachers

• Assist teachers, schools, and school divisions to gather, utilize, and analyze multiple data from assessment tools and assist leaders and teachers to use this information to improve instruction

• Coordinate multiple simultaneous tasks of varying complexity, with demonstrated accountability, and excellent attention to detail while implementing flexible problem-solving skills

• Assist in tasks related to ongoing research and development activities

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned. Travel will be required for several in-person meetings per year.

Required Skills: Literacy Professional Development and Technical Assistance Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree

• Two years of relevant experience

Required Skills: Literacy Professional Development and Technical Assistance Manager

• Master’s degree

• Five years of relevant experience

Preferred Skills

Candidates are strongly encouraged to explain in their cover letter how their experience and qualifications align with the following criteria:

• Bilingual speaking and writing ability in English/Spanish

• Degree in Education, Psychology, Educational Technology, or a related field

• Content knowledge of science-based reading acquisition and evidence-based practices

• At least two years of experience in an early education environment (PreK, K-3)

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to interact effectively with a diverse team of internal and external constituencies

• Demonstrated expertise, experience, and commitment to diversity, equity, and access

• Experience with coaching, consulting, technical assistance, and/or training adult educators and leaders in individual and group settings

• Very high attention to detail and timelines.

• Strong desire to learn new skills and abilities and to continuously improve practices.

• Coaching experience

• The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, programs, and participate in coaching and professional development activities.

Compensation Information -Full-time position with an anticipated range of $62,000 - $70,000. Salary is commensurate with education, experience, and ability to meet minimum qualifications as outlined above; includes UVA benefits.

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Application Instructions

Please apply through Workday, and search for Literacy Professional Development and Technical Assistance Provider (Remote) . Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV or Resume

• Cover letter, optional but preferred

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.'

As part of the application process, applicants may be asked to submit a statement describing how they address diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.

The position will remain open until filled. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This restricted position is a 12-month appointment, and continuation is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

For additional information about the position, please contact Lisa Tyree at lt8m@virginia.edu. For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks.

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In alignment with President Ryan’s UVA strategic plan, CASTL is committed to:

• Recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff;

• Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and faculty are recognized as integral to the success of our work; and

• Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.