Vocational ESOL Instructor – Refugee Services in Boston, Massachusetts at JVS Boston

JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers; and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces.

JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Manager of Instruction, the Vocational ESOL Instructor will lead and develop Vocational English classes and trainings to support immigrant and refugee participants’ job placement and career advancement. Classes will be held at least three evenings per week from 5:30-8:30pm. This person will develop and modify contextualized curriculum and daily lesson plans for the Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (VESOL) classes; intake and orient new participants; deliver vocational ESOL instruction and trainings; regularly evaluate student goals, progress and skill attainment; track outcomes; support efforts to advance instructional quality; and collaborate with staff in the department and across the agency to ensure career growth for clients and other programmatic and organizational goals.

Program participants include immigrant and refugee adults seeking to advance their careers through training, education, and/or securing a new or better job. All VESOL students also receive integrated, tailored career coaching as provided by other Refugee Services staff to support achievement of their career goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Accountability and results focused:

· Take ownership of the instructor role as leader both in and outside the classroom.

· Meet class goals and outcomes, as well as establish, track and meet program dashboard indicators. (i.e. enrollment, attendance/participation, retention, skills gains, student/employer/partner satisfaction).

· Provide assistance with assessment, enrollment, delivery of services, pre/post testing with the goal of ensuring that clients obtain their predetermined goals.

· Assist with planning and implementation of changes in the program, curriculum, or instruction.

· Assist with planning and implementation of student celebration ceremonies, as needed

· Collaborate and communicate regularly with supervisor and program leadership to ensure smooth delivery of services.

· Track outcomes and contribute to reports for funders and or evaluators as needed.

· Model behaviors and skills JVS delivers in classrooms and programs.

Builds relationships, collaboration and teamwork:

· Create a classroom environment where all students feel heard, can express ideas, learn and problem solve in creative ways.

· Establish relationships with colleagues and partners, and work collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner.

· Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS.

· Establish positive working relationships with all members of the agency.

· Work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between team members to ensure performance goals for departments are met.

· Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-based projects.

· Work collaboratively across JVS departments to assist in the building and implementation of cross-departmental processes.

· Provide group-based career coaching services and develop, plan and facilitate job readiness workshops as needed

· Perform other duties as requested.

Delivery of Services:

· Generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen change, setbacks and challenges.

· Develop and modify curriculum based on the needs of both the students and employers.

· Follow the course description and outline of topics provided for each class.

· Incorporate organizational and workplace materials into the curriculum as appropriate.

· Develop daily lesson plans that engage and retain the learners in the classroom.

· Create emergency lesson plans and submit these plans to their supervisor at the beginning of each active cycle.

· Be flexible to individual learning styles and set appropriate limits to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to learn.

· Incorporate the JVS Core Skills regularly into the curriculum (test taking, organization, scheduling, research, critical thinking/problem solving, study skills, computer skills, and soft skills).

· Manage tasks for all classroom volunteers.

Administrative/Communication:

· Communicate with supervisor as directed for attendance and enrollment (may vary for each class/program).

· Communicate with supervisor regarding any concerns that may impact the student’s progress in the classroom.

· Communicate regularly with supervisor/manager and team to ensure successful program performance.

· Complete final reports for all classes as needed.

· Assist with planning and implementation of any Celebration of Achievement / Graduation ceremonies.

· Demonstrate strong communication skills and a highly professional presence.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Frequent meetings with clients, colleagues, and partners. This is primarily a remote evening role that may offer an opportunity to teach an in-person class. Service delivery models are subject to change.

MINIMIUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

· Demonstrated ability to teach, motivate, and relate to adult learners

· Excellent presentation, facilitation, and classroom management skills, both in person and remotely.

· Knowledge of adult learning theory

· Strong interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills

· Strong Microsoft Office Suite/365 skills.

· Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a diverse group of clients at all levels of the organization

· Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

· Associate/BS or BA in Education or related field. TESOL/TEFL, and/or CELTA certificate preferred

· 1-3 years of workplace training/teaching or related experience.

Candidates with bilingual or additional language encouraged to apply, especially in languages spoken by refugee and immigrant participants (i.e. Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Dari, French, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Swahili, Ukrainian)

OTHER DUTIES:

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.

JVS CULTURE:

JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.