SHI - Literacy Specialist

Job Summary

This position will support the Át Koowaháa: Expanding the Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) Program’s Dual Language Pathway Program. The objective of this position is to lead the development and publication of large quantities of children’s books written in the Tlingit language for the Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) program and to assist with and ensure the newly established TCLL Middle School is developing a Vertical Alignment Plan and Curricular Framework. This position also is responsible for providing oversight, coordination, and administrative assistance for the Education Department in coordinating and implementing educational activities and projects that align with the goals and mission of the grant and programs, including bi-literacy instructional methods, dual-language programs, and resources. 

Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize diversified workloads and to recommend changes in relation to program practices or procedures. The program will involve significant amount of coordination, planning and execution of book creation, training, and other educational activities under direct supervision of the Education Director. Professional Development and training will be offered to support a candidate in biliteracy and dual-language methods.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Responsible for working with SHI management to execute service agreements and other binding documents to support the program.
• Coordinate the partnerships and agreements in collaboration with the Program Manager and the Education Director to fulfill objectives within the program in a timely manner.
• In partnership with Juneau School District, coordinate, lead, and/or participate in meetings with the TCLL Principal, Teachers, and Tlingit Language Teachers to develop the work necessary for the biliteracy goals of the program.
• Collaborate with other departments and outside contractors to track projects such as the Tlingit language books and Tlingit language proficiency assessment specific to this grant.
• Assist and monitor the performance of the contracted TCLL Book Content Developers and ensure their work is high-quality, meeting the requirements of the program and completed within the expected timeframe.
• Ensure the children’s books written in the Tlingit language are aligned to the TCLL curriculum, are engaging for children, and develop biliteracy comprehension and skills.  
• Ensure that the newly developed TCLL Middle School is supported with biliteracy instruction and professional development and a vertical alignment plan for its curriculum.
• Plan with and support the TCLL Tlingit Language Teachers to implement the use of the biliteracy instructional methods, resources and mentors.
• Oversee TCLL Family Events in partnership with the Program Coordinator and TCLL Family Committee to ensure well attended family events, including advertising, set-up, take-down and date tracking. Most of these events take place after regular office hours.
• Collect, manage, and share data for program evaluation with the Program Director, Education Director, and Evaluator.
• Oversee the coordination of Tlingit language immersion retreats (biannually) for TCLL educators and other members of the Tlingit language community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated high level of verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, and activities with attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and planning skills in project management, events and program coordination.
• Experience working with Indigenous, or other dual language teachers and learners.
• Technical capacity and expertise in using charts, tables, graphs, spreadsheets, and databases as well as computer proficiency.  
• Ability to develop a high-quality product that meets multiple requirements and standards.
• Knowledge of Southeast Alaska Native culture and Southeast Alaska’s communities.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position will have no direct reports.

Work Environment

This position’s duties can be performed generally at the Walter Soboleff Building, or adjacent Sealaska Building, but will also spend time within the TCLL program classrooms at Harborview Elementary School.. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines and makerspace equipment such as laser cutters and 3D printers.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds.

About this Role

This is a full-time benefited position. SHI employees are expected to work during SHI’s regular business hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Additionally, employees may work up to or over 45 hours per week or additional time as needed to meet workload demands or special events such as Celebration. Some travel may be required for professional development opportunities.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree in education or project-related field
• Active teaching license for the state of Alaska, another state, OR experience teaching
• Proven successful working collaboratively in large scale projects. 

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5 years of professional work in the education or project-related field
• Experience working with the TCLL program and its teaching staff, or other indigenous language programs
• Experience developing books, or learning materials for the classroom, curriculum design
• Experience indigenous language revitalization efforts.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.