School Based State Literacy Coaches (Education Program Specialist I)

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population â students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

State of Maryland Salary Grade 21, $53 per hour

LOCATION OF POSITION

Please indicate on your application each county in which you are willing to work.Â

• Selected Staff will be eligible for travel reimbursement in accordance with State of Maryland policies.*

Main Purpose of Job

These School-Based Literacy Coach positions will serve a critical role in improving K-3 reading achievement by providing non-evaluative, job-embedded instructional coaching grounded in the Science of Reading using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). The Literacy Coaches will be responsible for supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices and the internalization of HQIM. The Literacy Coaches support the implementation of Maryland''s Comprehensive PreK-3 Policy by promoting coherent literacy instruction across grade levels, strengthening Tier I reading instruction, and helping teachers internalize units and lessons aligned to evidence-based literacy practices. Finally, these positions will advance the Maryland State Department of Education Strategic Plan, Objective 3, by leading improvements in early literacy proficiency through recurring coaching cycles, targeted feedback, data-driven instructional decision-making, and professional learning aligned to state literacy priorities.

POSITION DUTIES

• Lead teachers through individual literacy coaching cycles.Â
• Provides non-evaluative, job-embedded coaching to strengthen reading instruction aligned to the Science of Reading and Maryland''s Comprehensive PreK-3 Policy (i.e., writing SRIPs, delivering screeners, etc.).Â
• Supports teachers in delivering systematic, explicit foundational skills instruction including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.Â
• Models structured literacy practices through co-teaching, lesson modeling, and elbow coaching and conducts observations focused on reading instruction and provide targeted, literacy specific feedback.Â
• Guides and supports teachers in implementing high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for reading and in administering and interpreting early literacy screeners and diagnostics to select appropriate interventions. Â
• Delivers professional learning aligned to the Science of Reading, structured literacy, and HQIM implementation.Â
• Provides training for teachers on using literacy assessment data to make instructional decisions within an MTSS literacy framework and facilitates professional learning on evidence-based interventions, structured literacy instruction, academic routines and procedures, text complexity, and metacognition.Â
• Builds teacher capacity to deliver coherent literacy instruction across grade-levels aligned to Maryland''s Comprehensive PreK-3 policy, the Ready to Read Act, and COMAR 13A.03.08 Students At-Risk for Reading Difficulty.Â

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Â Â Â A Masterâs degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Four years of administrative or teaching experience in, or affiliated with Literacy, Reading and/or related programs in prekindergarten through 12 settings. Â

Notes:Â

• Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience directly related to the position option for the required education.Â
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the position option for one year of the required experience.Â
• The required field of education and experience are unique for each option and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Human Resource Management Branch of the Division of Business Services.Â
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education. DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSÂ

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• Active teacher certification in any state with experience as a classroom teacher.Â
• Experience supervising and/or coaching professional education staff. Â
• Experience with the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, associated HQIM and PreK-3 learning theory and various approaches to instructional coaching.Â
• Experience working with K-3 reading achievement and Maryland''s Comprehensive PreK-3 PolicyÂ
• Experience implementing curriculum and evidence-based instructional practices in English Language Arts and literacy.Â
• Experience with high impact coaching methods and developing and facilitating professional learning focused on research-based practices and evidence-based interventions including professional learning cycles and the MSDE coaching model.Â
• Experience delivering data-driven literacy instruction that meets the needs of diverse learners.Â

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

This position requires travel throughout the State of Maryland and throughout designated Counties to support teachers within individual school(s) and oversee the effective implementation of Literacy initiativesÂ

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified. The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one year.

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must complete the MD State Government online application for employment, submit their professional resume -AND- submit evidence of the successful completion of a Science of Reading training. The application and resume must clearly demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the position. Applications must be complete to be considered, including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-554-9397 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted. Â

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0012, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. Â

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment. Â

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the Stateâs diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.  Â

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.  Â

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Â