County of Alameda

Under general supervision, assists professional and paraprofessional Library staff by soliciting and obtaining participation from learners of all ages and abilities; conducts learner orientations; acts as liaison between staff and learners; educates the community about literacy issues; gathers data; and performs related duties, as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The class of Literacy Advocate is distinguished from the class of Literacy Specialist in that incumbents in the latter class provide direct instruction to learners and have responsibility for curriculum development, day to day program operation, and the coordination of volunteer staff, while the former class has the primary responsibility for recruiting learners and volunteers.  This class is further distinguished from that of Clerk II in that the latter class provides general clerical support to tutorial, operational, and policy making staff.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Assist Literacy Specialists, professional, and paraprofessional staff by recruiting learners.  
2. Conduct learner orientations and assist staff in the development of orientation presentations. May participate in designing and developing literacy services.
3. Assist staff with learner placement and may provide instruction to learners.  
4. Observe instruction and assess learner progress, advise program staff of findings, and provide feedback to administrative and policy making staff.
5. Organize learner meetings to discuss activities and solicit ideas for increased learner participation.
6. At the direction of professional or paraprofessional staff, contacts and speaks to community groups about literacy issues.
7. Recruit learners in the literacy program to become volunteers in the program.

Education:  

Successful participation in a one (1) year adult literacy program is highly desirable.  

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of six (6) months of full-time experience as a tutor or in a capacity that required performance of some of the following functions: recruiting volunteer and student participation, conducting student orientation, organizing student meetings, eliciting student feedback regarding progress and program satisfaction, maintaining liaison between program participants and staff for the purpose of program enhancement and development.  

License:       

Possession of a valid California Class C Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.  

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Example of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:

• Literacy needs of the adult client population.
• The adult learning experience and barriers to adult learners.
• Effective adult teaching methods, practices, and strategies.
• Adult literacy programs and adult education materials.
• Interviewing techniques and practices.

Ability to:

• Relate to adults in various multi-cultural communities.
• Provide instructional and emotional support to adult learners.
• Motivate adult literacy learners and facilitate groups of learners.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Work harmoniously with students, staff, and volunteers.
• Accurately observe, assess, and evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and student progress.
• Provide meaningful feedback to staff and tutors about program and staff effectiveness.
• Establish effective working relationships with community.

New document:  Jobspecs/1417

6/6/00

TT:co

CSC Date:  7/5/00

SK:sa Revised 07/15/2021

CSC Date: 10/20/2021

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.