Graduate Assistant - Literacy Specialist

University of Nevada, Reno The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Job Description The Upward Bound Programs Literacy Specialist (LS) is responsible for developing and delivering best practices in reading and writing development for the program's high school participants. The Upward Bound Programs provide college preparatory services for income-qualified, first-generation, college-bound high school students in Washoe and Lyon Counties. The LS works strategically with the program's Academic Services Coordinator and leadership staff to refine strategies for improving student test and course outcomes, engagement with reading, and the development of critical-thinking skills. This is a 20-hour per week Master's or Doctoral graduate assistantship, funded through the University's Regents Service Program. Responsibilities Provide daily reading and writing coaching sessions across content areas Conduct literacy interventions targeting fluency; text interpretation; critique & discussion; the writing process, grammar & revision Coach students through written products such as personal statement narratives, scholarship essays, research papers, assignments for Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement coursework, student resumes, and other projects as needed Facilitate the delivery of a UB/UBMS Book Club to increase student literacy engagement and use multimodal strategies to develop reading, writing, and listening skills Deliver workshops and lessons related to increasing student understanding and readiness for the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the ACT and SAT exams Assist in training and supervising a team of undergraduate academic coaches to enhance their tutoring skills and professional development Required Qualifications Enrolled in at least six graduate credits at UNR. Must be formally accepted into a program of study, graduate special students are ineligible for this position. Familiarity with best practices in reading and writing development for high school students Demonstrates a knowledge of literacy support strategies and services Strong written and oral communications skills Understanding of educational access and issues related to low-income and first-generation students in K-12 and higher education Strong technology, organization, programming and evaluation skills Preferred Qualifications Experience with tutoring and/or instruction Familiarity with scholarship and admissions essay preparation and University undergraduate admissions Understanding of Nevada high school curriculum, common core state standards in English Language Arts and Literacy, and college readiness benchmarks Academic program in English, Creative Writing, Secondary Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Equity and Diversity, Counseling or Social Work Schedule This is 20-hour per week Master's or Doctoral Graduate Assistant position. The Upward Bound office is open Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Students are responsible for ensuring that all required weekly hours are completed. This position will also require attendance one Saturday each month for the program's College Preparatory Saturday Sessions, which run 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Compensation Grade Graduate Assistant This is a 10-month graduate assistantship providing a monthly stipend of $1,700, with university grant-in-aid benefits, up to nine credits, and health insurance. Exempt Yes Full-Time Equivalent 50.0%Required Attachment(s) Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at jobs@unr.edu. Attach the following attachment(s) to your application Resume/CV – (required) List a detailed description of the major duties that you performed as part of each job. You must demonstrate that you qualify for the position and your education and experience must be clearly documented. Cover Letter – (required) Contact Information for Three Professional References – (required) Please include name, contact information, and relationship. Unofficial Transcript – (required) Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Posting Close Time This posting will close at 12:00 am on the date listed below. The posting will no longer be available to apply to after 11:59 pm the day prior. Posting Close Date 06/19/2026 Note to Applicant A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member's first day of employment. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks. For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs. The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).