After School Reading Specialist (Part Time with Benefits)

By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian, after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body and soul. Located in Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By the Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results-oriented. While loving and nurturing, By the Hand has a strong results-orientation, a very structured program and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow.

By The Hand is a not for profit, religious organization. Individuals employed by By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ’s teaching.

Position Title: Reading Specialist (Part-Time, Non-Exempt)

Reports to: Director of Learning

Overview of Position:

Reporting to the Vice President of Learning, The Reading Specialist will work 29 hours per week and is responsible for identifying and addressing reading deficiencies for students in 3rd grade through high school. This position requires a self-motivated and focused leader with a background of teaching children, crafting lessons and locating materials to fit individual needs of students in order to foster growth in their abilities, interest and understanding of reading.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission and culture of By The Hand and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation.
• Models cultural values of By The Hand Club For Kids in day-to-day behavior.
• Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy.
• Participates in employee growth plans including quarterly conversations and annual review.
• Works with staff and leadership to implement policies and procedures to further the BTH religious purpose and religious freedom. .
• Identifies 3rd grade-high school students at risk in reading.
• Keeps organized student records and compiles data in coherent and organized reports.
• Meets with the site staff and  Vice President of Learning to share recommendations and determine whom to work with during tutoring sessions.
• Creates a schedule for tutoring sessions and revisits quarterly or as needed.
• Researches, designs and executes weekly lesson plans that address the reading needs of students being tutored.
• Gathers or makes any materials needed for lessons during tutoring sessions.
• Guides students through reading activities designed to help them overcome obstacles to literacy.
• Communicates changes, questions, and observations as they occur.
• Participates in activities to advance his/her knowledge in current trends in reading and instruction.
• Supports blended learning team leaders to set goals and problem-solve.
• Monitors and supports the blended learning program. 
• Holds or participates in two literacy events throughout the year.
• Performs all other duties as required and assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• A personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
• This position requires a Christ-like servant leader who has a sense of calling and who models Biblical principles.
• Member of a Bible-believing church or an active participant in a Bible-believing church.
• Is adept at sharing the gospel and does so whenever the opportunity arises. 
• Exemplifies By The Hand core values.
• Adheres to our Employee Standards of Living.
• Knowledge of the components and techniques for teaching reading.
• Ability to assess students’ reading progress.
• Desire to be informed about trends and issues found in reading research.
• Passion and commitment for urban student transformation in the area of literacy.
• Willingness to promote and encourage student growth and progress.
• Believes in being a team player, but able to function well independently.
• Outstanding ability to problem-solve and demonstrate flexibility.
• Possesses strong relationship building skills with adults and children.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree and/or certification in Education or Reading.
• Training or expertise in curriculum, assessment, and/or teacher professional development are strongly preferred.
• Comfortable using Google Suite products.
• Personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that demonstrates the Word of God and displays a commitment to regular fellowship with other members in a Bible believing church.
• Has taken an evangelism course and is trained and prepared to share the gospel with others.

Metrics

• Improved student metrics including attendance and retention,  reading scores, students reading at/above grade level and academic goals. 
• Impact of activities at time of execution.
• Use of materials and resources in lessons and relationships built with students and staff.
• Maintains thirty students (total) in tutoring groups.
• Increased student confidence and attitude toward reading.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phone, and copy machines. This job is not a virtual job, but it requires in-person attendance as agreed upon by your immediate supervisor.

Physical Demands:

The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment between rooms and/or locations and lift up to 50 pounds. The individual is also required to travel to other organizational sites to meet with staff, students and partners.

Disclaimer:

The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

By The Hand Club For Kids is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran or disability status. As a ministry, By The Hand is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees on the basis of religion in our screening and selection process. By The Hand is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with a disability, absent undue hardship. An employee or applicant who believes he or she has a disability and may require an accommodation must contact the Human Resources Department at hr@bythehand.org or call 773-854-4176.