VACANCY NOTICE

Title: Instruction & Distance Learning Education Specialist
Job Announcement #4349 20/21
Opens: September 11, 2020
Closes: Open until filled

General Information

Willamette Education Service District is a regional education agency in Oregon serving 21 school districts in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties as our primary partners. While Willamette ESD is a large agency, it maintains a small organization feel.

Cross-Functional Equity, Inclusion And Achievement Team:
This position will serve as a member of the newly formed cross-functional Equity, Inclusion and Achievement Team, designed to support school districts and ESD staff meet the promise of the Student Success Act in the critical area of culturally relevant and inclusive instruction with an additional emphasis on meeting the needs of students through distance or hybrid learning models. The cross-functional Equity, Inclusion and Achievement Team of managers and specialists work together to meet regional partner districts' needs, is flexible, collaborative, and focused on providing support to assist districts in Willamette ESD's three-county region including the planning, coordination and promotion of innovative professional development on distance learning and associated topics to meet the goals outlined in each partner district's Student Investment Account plan.

The Cross-functional team will expand the technical support offered to Willamette ESD component school districts, facilitating professional learning on topics (related to the competency areas below) and coaching educators working within school districts, to assist them in building comprehensive systems to: 1. meet students' mental or behavioral health needs; and 2. increase academic achievement for students, including reducing academic disparities for focal student populations.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the position; that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications for the position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact hiring supervisor, Sean Aker, to discuss the qualifications needed for success.

This position follows a 220-day calendar and will be based at the Willamette ESD Marion Center located in Salem, OR.

Duties and Responsibilities

Equity & Inclusion: Applicants must be committed to equitable practices in education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to reducing academic disparities among students that exist because of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or family income. All cross-functional equity, inclusion and achievement team members will help ensure equity principles are integrated into all facets of the work undertaken through Oregon's Student Success Act.

• Collaborates with a variety of stakeholders (such as district administrators, WESD staff, outside partners, and families) to accomplish team objectives and leverage department resources to ensure positive outcomes and desired results
• Identifies current and future distance learning or hybrid instructional needs in school districts and inside our agency
• Establishes rapport with relevant district staff and partners, in order to provide strategic professional learnings and supports for evolving needs
• Contributes to the department and agency's effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range priorities for effective learning in a variety of instructional models providing key information and pertinent input into recommendations for the implementation of Student Investment Account plans
• Prepares and contributes to reports on a variety of topics related to, but not limited to, equity, access, engagement, and outcomes in a variety of instructional models for a variety of audiences by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Follows all federal, state, and local legal requirements, including new legislation and advises agency leaders as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned

Competency Areas: Candidates must be able to demonstrate expertise in at least 2 areas in Group A and 2 areas in Group B, or related competencies, highlighting their experience of increasing student outcomes and eliminating disparities either through directly supporting students or through supporting/coaching educators:

Group A:

• Successful implementation of comprehensive distance learning models
• Demonstrate a robust knowledge of Learning Management Systems
• Understand and promote best practices for online instruction (using various technology tools)
• Curriculum design and delivery in a variety of instructional models including traditional, hybrid, and comprehensive distance learning

Group B:

• Eliminating achievement gaps for historically underserved populations
• Culturally inclusive instructional practices
• Data-driven decision-making; including behavior data
• Integrating culturally responsive practices into a distance or hybrid instructional model
• Providing successful professional development
• Ability to work with diverse community partners

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Oregon Teaching License through Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), with an endorsement in School Counseling, Social Work, School Psychology, Math, Literacy, Special Education, ESOL, Bilingual ESOL, and/or Reading
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience supporting Distance Learning, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Math, or Literacy of school-aged children in public education or mental health setting
• Possess and maintain valid Oregon Driver's License and reliable transportation
• Nationwide criminal history check and fingerprinting at employee's expense are required
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree or higher in the field of, education, technology, behavioral science, or other related fields from an accredited institution
• Extensive experience as an SEL, Math, Distance Learning or Literacy Coach with documented professional development units (PDU's) or credits from an accredited institution/program supporting the candidate's training
• Advanced degree or training in SEL, Math or Literacy or a related specialty area
• Certificate or specialized training related to distance learning and/or technology-based delivery of instruction

Salary and Benefits *

• This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) licensed position represented by the Willamette Valley Education Association.
• Placement on the Willamette ESD licensed salary schedule, $45,613 - $88,079, will be commensurate with applicant's qualifications, relevant training, experience and prorated according to start date. Salary and benefits shown are based upon full-time employment (1.0 FTE) for the entire school year contract period.
• Willamette ESD will support payment for health, dental and vision insurance premiums for qualified employees. Employer-paid PERS, holidays, sick leave, and personal days are also provided to qualified employees.
  
  Health Insurance:
  
  • MODA and Kaiser Permanente Plans
  • Includes medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance
  • Monthly premium deducted pre-tax
  • WESD contributes up to $1,360.00 per month
  • Health Savings Accounts for high deductible plans
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - medical, day-care expenses
  
  Optional Life, AD&D, Short/Long Term Disability Insurance:
  
  • Standard Insurance Company
  
  Retirement:
  
  • PERS - Public Employee Retirement System
  • WESD pays the 6% employee contribution on behalf of each employee
  • pers.state.or.us
  
  Personal Leave:
  
  • Up to 3 days per year
  
  Sick Leave:
  
  • Up to 12 days per year
  • Sick Leave Bank
    • Employees may opt to donate one day of sick leave to become a member of the Sick Leave Bank.
    • Members may draw up to 25 days of sick leave if catastrophic illness or injury leaves the employee without paid leave time to cover their absence from work.
  
  Tuition Reimbursement
  
  • Up to $1,670 per year for professional development for licensed staff (if there are unexpended or uncommitted dollars in the fund at the end of the fiscal year, employees may receive additional tuition reimbursement)
  
  Professional Development Opportunities
  
  • WESD hosts a variety of online training classes
  • First Aid/CPR classes offered onsite
  • CPD - Continuing Professional Development Program
  • Includes workshops, conferences, and mentorship programs
  
  
  * Salary and benefits shown: are prorated based upon FTE and hire date; are based upon 2017-2020 licensed bargaining agreement; and are subject to change based upon the outcome of new bargaining agreement.
  

Application Process

• Applications are available at https://willamette.cloud.talentedk12.com (select Recruit & Hire ) or online at www.wesd.org .
• Applicants must submit a resume, two letters of reference and a letter of introduction with their application for the application to be complete.
• Copies of transcripts and license(s) must be submitted for all licensed positions, as required. Successful applicants are required to provide official transcripts before completion of the hiring process.
• If you require assistance with the application or interview process due to a disability, please call Director of Human Resources at (503) 385-4752. Alternate formats are available upon request.

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Human Resources Director at 503-385-4752 for additional information or assistance. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the ESD for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunication Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900 or 711.

The Willamette Education Service District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting with their completed application a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension as verification of eligibility. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their veteran's disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214/215.