Literacy Specialist - Juvenile Facilities Next Chapter Library (Fixed-Term)

County of Ventura; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventura County Library is seeking a Literacy Specialist to coordinate literacy services for incarcerated youth at the Next Chapter Library in collaboration with the Probation Agency. The role recruits, screens, trains, and supports volunteer tutors and assesses learner needs and progress.

You will develop instructional materials, maintain records, report outcomes, and collaborate with facility staff to ensure safe, inclusive learning environments while advancing reading, literacy, and personal

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in education or reading and literacy or a related field.
• Experience interacting with teens and young adults and diverse groups.
• Experience supervising others and working with volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Supervise volunteer tutors and adult learners in person or virtually at library or off-site locations.
• Coordinate READ programming including event planning, curriculum development, content evaluation, and direct instruction.
• Monitor progress, administer reading assessments, screen prospective tutors/learners, and match learning pairs.

Skills

Supervising others

Teaching reading

Literacy assessments

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or literacy

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

THE DEPARTMENT

Ventura County Library connects people, ideas, and opportunities through free access to information, technology, lifelong learning, and welcoming community spaces. It serves residents through 12 branches across Ventura County, two Mobile Libraries, and library services at the Ventura County Probation Agency's Juvenile Facilities.

THE POSITION

Under general direction, the Literacy Specialist coordinates literacy services for incarcerated youth at the Juvenile Facilities Next Chapter Library, a partnership between Ventura County Library and the Ventura County Probation Agency. The position recruits, screens trains, and supports volunteer tutors; assesses learner needs and progress; provides individualized literacy support and educational resources; and facilitates opportunities that encourage reading, learning, and personal growth. The Literacy Specialist fosters positive, supportive relationships with youth, volunteers, Library staff, and facility personnel while maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

Duties include administering and interpreting literacy assessments; developing and providing appropriate instructional materials; communicating learner progress and instructional strategies to tutors; monitoring and documenting learner outcomes; maintaining program records and materials; submitting required reports; coordinating with facility staff regarding programming, schedules, and access; and proactively identifying program needs, challenges, and opportunities and recommending solutions to the Program Manager and Juvenile Facilities staff.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor degree in education or literacy or reading improvement. Some experience interacting with people with learning disabilities and supervising teens and volunteers is highly desired. Experience interacting with teens and young adults and a diverse group of people with or cultural differences is required as is strong oral and written communication skills.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgement demonstrating discretion and mature judgement while following and enforce the facility's rules; and use modern office methods and applicable software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and related databases.

PAYROLL TITLE

Staff/Services Specialist I

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE

Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT

Library Services Agency, Adult Literacy. Staff/Services Specialist I is represented by SEIU and is eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE

Fixed-Term positions are Regular positions for a specific duration of time. This Fixed-Term position is anticipated to expire on June 30, 2027.

OPENING DATE

Monday, August 24, 2026

CLOSING DATE

Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

Examples Of Duties

• Supervises the activities of volunteer tutors and adult learners during in-person or virtual sessions online, at the library, or off-site locations such as schools and/or correctional facilities;
• Coordinates READ programming in one or all of the following areas: adult basic education, English as a second language, family literacy, and/or workforce and digital literacy, which includes event planning, curriculum development, content evaluation, and direct instruction;
• Helps READ participants achieve their goals by monitoring progress and achievement, administering reading assessments, screening prospective volunteer tutors and adult learners, and matching learning pairs;
• Analyzes program efficacy, demonstrating a high level of cultural sensitivity and awareness, presenting instructional strategies, and making referrals to relevant wraparound services within the community;
• Trains and manages volunteer tutors regarding program expectations, educational best practices, safety procedures, and facility codes of conduct;
• Maintains necessary records and materials, which includes tracking, analyzing, and reporting data;
• Serves as liaison with partner agencies to assess adult learner needs and interests;
• Communicates and plans READ activities with the Program Manager and maintains READ instructional and promotional materials with the Administrative Assistant; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

These are the entrance requirements to the examination process, possession of which assures neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, And EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training, education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can also be obtained by the following:

• Two (2) years of experience teaching reading and English phonics AND
• Two (2) years leading or supervising others

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff at all levels, volunteers, and community groups
• Ability to communicate effectively with teens and young adults
• Effective written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Some proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

DESIRED

• Experience supervising others
• Bachelor’s degree in education or reading and literacy, or a related field
• Experience working with people with learning disabilities
• Experience using databases.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Working Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of effective supervision;
• Methods and practices of teaching reading, including English phonics instruction, remediation of reading difficulties in the context of learning differences/disabilities.

Ability to:

• Quickly establish rapport and conduct an effective and comfortable interview to assess literacy levels and needs;
• Administer and interpret reading assessment tests;
• Select appropriate instructional materials and strategies and explain their use to a volunteer;
• Work with a diverse group of people using a high level of sensitivity for people with learning disabilities or cultural differences;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and community groups;
• Exercise independent judgment to function independently and in a team environment;
• Exercise discretion and mature judgement while following and enforcing rules;
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously with a high level of competence; to organize and prioritize duties and manage time effectively;
• Explain department policies and procedures and serve as departmental resource and liaison;
• Draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations or adjustments as needed;
• Prepare various reports by tracking, collecting, compiling, and analyzing relevant, necessary information;
• Communicate effectively with teens and young adults.

Skill in:

• Utilizing modern officer methods and applicable software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and email programs such as Outlook and databases;
• Written and oral communication.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Your Benefits As a County Of Ventura Employee

• Benefits website or you may call [phone].
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes

UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS

NOTE

This is a Fixed-Term position with a part-time work schedule. Are you willing and able to work a Fixed-Term position with a part-time schedule (approximately 10 hours per week)? If you answer yes, please be sure to indicate this in all applicable sections of your application when asked what type of work you are available for.