Elementary Literacy Specialist

Position Overview

Our Elementary Literacy Specialist will be responsible for developing and directly facilitating Family and Youth Literacy Programs at the Y community center along with four other locations in the area. These literacy-based activities engage children and their parents/caregivers, motivating a love for reading and supporting parents’ active involvement in their child’s literacy development.

During program sessions:

• Set up program space and activities.
• Welcome and orient families/students, engaging them to further their connection with the Y.
• Facilitate engaging and creative literacy activities.
• Assist students and families with activity work, supporting their literacy practice.
• Encourage family members and students to interact and work together.

Outside of program time:

• Conduct outreach for participants at local schools and organizations.
• Maintain organized program participant attendance and registration with contact information.
• Maintain regular communication with program participants.
• Maintain regular communication with school administration and after school program directors to ensure alignment with school day curriculum and grant requirements.
• Maintain organization of program materials and manage supplies.
• Hire and oversee other Literacy Specialist(s) when programs occur at simultaneous sites.
• Hire and oversee a SAT instructor for the once‑a‑year exam preparatory program.
• Prepare curriculum and materials for each session, ensuring necessary supplies are on hand.
• Represent the Y in recruiting and engaging families to participate in our programs.
• Represent the Y at funder's annual events (Read‑A‑Thon and Gala).
• Coordinate regular program space and special events at the Y (beginning‑of‑year open‑house / program kick‑off event, bi‑monthly dinners, end‑of‑year celebration).
• Prepare annual year‑end program summary and funding proposal for the following year.

Approximately 20 hours during the school year (including 8 hours of preparatory work and 12 hours of direct facilitation). Approximate facilitation schedule:

• Monday: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
• Tuesday: 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• Wednesday: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
• Thursday: 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• Friday: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

• $31 per hour

The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, handle or feel objects, talk, hear, and sometimes taste; the position also requires using hands to handle, reach with hands and arms, and may involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must regularly lift or move up to 5 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in a typical community center and school environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Bi‑lingual in Spanish preferred.
• At least two (2) years of experience in family literacy and/or classroom literacy programming.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven commitment and demonstrated success in running high‑quality literacy programming.

• Documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Must pass the background check, medical form, and fingerprinting through the Department of Health.
• Must be fully vaccinated against Covid‑19.

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.