About the Literacy Trust Inc.

The Literacy Trust Inc. is a charitable, non-profit organization that was established in 1998. The Literacy Trust primarily operates Reading Rescue, a staff development and intensive literacy intervention program that targets first grade readers who are below grade level. The program currently operates in over 50 schools throughout New York City in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and is also offered through Columbia's Teacher's College.

The Literacy Trust Inc. is currently at a pivotal time in our history as we move towards strategic expansion in efforts to continue our work preparing school staff to provide the highly skilled, one-on-one tutoring some children need to develop fluent reading in the early grades.

About Reading RescueTM

Reading RescueTM provides schools with professional training that prepares staff members to accelerate literacy among the lowest performing first graders. Our training provides school staff members with a clinical experience in reading. As a result, all children benefit from improved classroom instruction. The combination of training, plus daily program implementation, significantly enhances pedagogical knowledge and skills. Our services include 10 full days of professional development delivered over 2-3 years. The program package also includes regular site visits, tutor observations, ongoing coaching and year round program support.

Program Coordinators and tutors are selected by each school site among existing staff members. They collaborate with school staff to assess and select student participants. Trained tutors work with individual students one on one for 30 minutes per day. Program Coordinators and tutors work closely with Reading RescueTM staff members.

Daily sessions provide a balanced literacy block including; fluency building, daily assessments, phonological awareness and word study, sentence writing, and vocabulary development. Program components are targeted at individual student needs. Tutors use daily assessments to inform daily instruction within a sequential framework. Components  are also multisensory, incorporating visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile teaching methods.

Students typically receive tutoring for one semester. Our research shows the number of sessions a student needs to reach grade level ranges from 41-55. Such outcomes have been documented in some of the nation's most challenged inner city schools serving predominantly bilingual students; results from high-poverty rural schools are equally impressive.

About the Program Manager

The Program Manager is part of a small but growing team working towards alleviating the early literacy crisis. The Program Manager's primary role is to train, lead, develop, and mobilize a team of school based Program Coordinators and tutors to deliver high quality, effective one-on-one instruction to low performing students. The Program Manager manages all aspects of program quality, delivery and implementation in up to twenty schools. The Program Manager directs the day-to-day operations, manages internal and external relationships, coaches and supports tutors, drives processes and strategies to maximize literacy development in students at high risk of failure, and is proficient in analyzing data. The Program Manager is an inspiring team leader, is savvy at the art of managing people and projects, is goal-oriented and is excited by both strategic and on- the-ground work.

What you'll do:

School Relationship Building and Communication

● Foster positive relationships with school staff including teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, parents, and students.

● Train, coach and support Program Coordinators and tutors.

● Act as liaison to school sites, the New York City District of Education and external partners.

● Work collaboratively as an ambassador of the program, especially with school leaders and staff. Set up strong systems for communication and messaging.

● Break down complex topics for a variety of audiences. Employ excellent written communication skills.

Program Implementation, Leadership and Quality Control

● Schedule and deliver trainings to school staff focused on program implementation.

● Conduct site visits to monitor program fidelity and quality control.

● Observe tutors and provide structured feedback using our Coaching Checklist.

● Utilize a high level of knowledge and competency in literacy strategies during training days.

● Lead implementation of our organization's assessment and curriculum and become an expert on Reading Rescue’s curriculum.

● Ensure high fidelity of the Reading RescueTM model at all school sites.

● Assess student performance using observations, analyze data, and create subsequent strategies aimed at increasing student achievement.

● Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data, as available, to ensure the majority of students make significant gains and or reach grade level.

● Work with the Director to develop an Advisory Board focused on making programmatic decisions in efforts to expand strategically.

● Act as a liaison to outside research organization as we make plans for an updated research study.

● Explore feasibility of developing additional programming targeted at second and third grades to assure that student continue progressing and maintain gains.

Project Management:

● Demonstrate an ability to manage time effectively, balance multiple competing priorities at once and above all remain adaptable, flexible, and positive while navigating challenges.

● Anticipate challenges and/or questions, and proactively act to address them. Understand larger strategic priorities and make measurable progress against these larger goals.

Required Qualifications:

● Master's degree in education or related subject area.

● Expertise in early literacy.

● Well read and current on best practices in literacy.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Have 3+ years working with elementary-aged students in an educational setting. Teaching experience is strongly preferred.

● Have direct management experience of tutors and or school staff.

● Have experience with literacy assessments, teaching strategies, and student data analysis.

● Have access to reliable transportation to travel throughout the 5 boroughs, as needed.

● Have some flexibility and adaptability in your work schedule, including early morning, and occasional night and weekend time.

● Have knowledge of and a connection to the New York City elementary education community.

● Have excellent computer skills, including MS Office, familiarity with Google Docs.

● Have a deep belief in our mission.

● Hold US Citizenship of Permanent Resident Status.

Reporting Relationships:

The Program Manager reports directly to the Director of Program, Strategy and Operations.

What we offer: The Literacy Trust offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, great benefits, 15 vacation days plus time off during the DOE’s winter closure. This is a full time, exempt, salaried position.

Please email the following to [email protected]:

• Resume

● Cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for this role, list your last two salaries and your current desired salary.

● 3 professional references including: name, title, email, phone number and relationship to the reference. References will not be contacted without prior notice.