Early Literacy Specialist

Position Type:
Professional/Specialists

Date Posted:
6/17/2026

Location:
Central Office

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

June 17, 2026

POSITION: Early Literacy Specialist

LOCATION: Central Office

JOB SUMMARY:
The Literacy Specialist is a district-level instructional support position that provides coaching and instructional support to elementary schools. The primary responsibility of this role is to collaborate with instructional coaches and school leaders to promote best practices in literacy instruction, support data-driven decision-making, analyze student performance data, and recommend strategies to address areas of need. This position involves observing classroom instruction and providing feedback to strengthen the implementation of a balanced literacy program, supporting schools in collaborative planning for effective literacy instruction, analyzing student achievement data to inform and adjust instructional practices, and planning and facilitating professional learning opportunities at both the district and school levels to promote the sharing and implementation of best practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree required;
Master's degree or Literacy certification/endorsement preferred;
2. Valid Georgia Certification required;
3. Experience working with adult learners, coaching teachers, and delivering professional development;
4. A deep understanding of theories of literacy, including the diagnostic teaching of reading and reading intervention;
5. An understanding of the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Literacy and current trends and best practices in curriculum design and instruction;
6. At least five (5) years of successful teaching experience in early grades;
7. Strong record of helping students achieve academic success;
8. Significant experience with early literacy curriculum development and instructional planning;
9. Experience in analyzing data and using results to modify curricula;
10. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to use problem-solving skills to generate solutions;
2. Ability to function as a positive collaborative member of a team;
3. Must be able to perform routine physical activities that are required to fulfill job responsibilities.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works closely with instructional coaches and school instructional leaders to strategically create and implement a plan to increase student achievement in literacy
2. Plays an integral role in the efforts to horizontally and vertically align the district's balanced literacy curriculum and oversee literacy progress monitoring throughout the schools;
3. Works collaboratively with district and school leaders on developing instructional strategies for struggling readers;
4. Collaborates with the Early Literacy Coordinator to plan and deliver professional learning for new and returning staff members aligned to high-priority initiatives and outcomes in the area of literacy;
5. Partners with school-based instructional coaches to support the development of high-quality/effective literacy instruction in all schools in order to improve instructional planning, teacher practice, and the use of data to drive instructional decisions;
6. Collaborates with district and school leaders to develop structures that facilitate the improvement of literacy instruction and the appropriate interventions and supports for students;
7. Continuously monitors, tracks, and analyzes student achievement data in order to identify needed supports and strategies;
8. Perform other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator.

REPORTS TO: Early Literacy Coordinator

SALARY RANGE: 11 months. Competitive salary and excellent benefits package, in accordance with the DCSS Compensation Guide.

Final date to receive applications: Applications will be reviewed upon submission. To ensure consideration, please submit all required application materials by June 24, 2026.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY ONLINE.

THE DOUGHERTY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR DISABILITY.

The System reserves the right to waive any qualifications or other provisions of this advertisement by statute or regulations.

Dougherty County School System uses Frontline Education to manage employment applications online.

About Us:
The Dougherty County School System is a leading catalyst and advocate for public education in Southwest Georgia. It's the largest school system in the second congressional district. The school district has 22 schools (14 elementary, 4 middle, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative middle/high school), 4 learning centers, and the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy. All schools are accredited by Cognia.

The DCSS offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Dougherty County is recognized for its quail and duck hunting, fishing, the Flint River, and many cypress swamps. The County has a population of approximately 90,000. Our County has two…