ESL Instructor 1 - Special Projects at Goodwill SWPA – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia is a nonprofit organization that funds job training, education, and other community programs by selling donated clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and online. We offer life-changing work on a mission-minded team. We are 1,000 working as one and each of us is essential to helping our community thrive. For three years running, Goodwill has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies”.

We offer a wide range of career opportunities ranging from entry-level to management in retail, human services, and administrative fields. Learn more about working at Goodwill. You can help. We can show you how.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Goodwill SWPA’s Human Services division is responsible for making Goodwill’s overarching vision a reality: enhancing people’s dignity and quality of life by strengthening communities and helping those with barriers to employment reach their full potential through workforce education and support. The Human Services division fulfills this mission providing high quality, outcome-oriented services for program participants by utilizing a comprehensive service delivery model covering a broad array of social programs. Within the Human Services Division is the Education, Training, and Assessment department, which provides educational programming designed to develop skillsets that increase participant employability. These classes are available for free to all eligible community members and focus on High School Equivalency (HiSET/GED) test preparation, Digital Literacy and Computer Skills, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

ESL CLASSES:

Goodwill SWPA’s ESL classes are available for non-native English speakers of all fluency levels who live in Allegheny County. Fluency assessments are provided in order to determine student placement in beginner, advanced, or intermediate level classes. Classes are offered both virtually and in-person.

SPECIAL PROJECTS:

Goodwill SWPA is utilizing grant funding to create an ESL education based training program focused on developing reading and language skills necessary to succeed in employment with the Donated Goods and Retail (DGR) division. The grant period runs from hire until August 30th with the possibility for renewal.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Instructor will interpret assessments, develop contextualized curriculum, lesson plans, and provide classroom instruction. The Instructor will maintain student records according to Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) contractual guidelines, and support students in transitioning to post -secondary education, training, employment or other personal goals. In terms of the Instructors role in the grant funded project, the instructor will work with the Director of Education to develop a Customer Service Integrated Education and Training class within Goodwill’s Donated Goods Retail (DGR) business. They will work closely with DGR retail staff to develop a single set of learning objectives that align with job training, College and Career Readiness standards and English Language Proficiency standards. The instructor will frame the class around the language and reading necessary to enter either frontline customer service or an e-commerce position.

Status: Regular, Part-time, Non-exempt

Assignment Length: Grant funded through August 30th, 2026, with the possibility of renewal.

Location: May be located at a Goodwill location, Lawrenceville Workforce Development Center, or a community partner site.

External Hiring Range: $18.98

Schedule: Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8 AM to 8 PM depending on program needs.

Travel: Travel to Goodwill SWPA locations and partner sites may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Included but not limited to:

Curriculum Development:

• Research, outline and plan curriculum and lesson plans around departmental and contractual standards.
• Differentiate learning and enhance instruction by using state-approved online curriculum and Google Classroom.

Classroom Instruction:

• Instruct using a variety of delivery methods including lecture, question and answer, small groups, collaborative instruction, and self-directed learning and motivate students through classroom contextualized instruction to learn basic life, academic and employability skills.
• Manage daily classroom activities, including conflict resolution, maintaining a safe, productive learning environment.

Progress Measurement:

• Interpret student progress through informal and formal assessments and discuss progress with students.
• Attend regular staff meetings and required professional development opportunities to keep current on best practice.
• Regularly submit and update job placement and retention reports. Maintain consistent communication (including notation) with students about goal setting, barrier removal and resource identification, making referrals to Program Facilitator when a barrier is identified.

Cross-Collaboration:

• Understand Donated Retail Goods (DGR ) operations and integrate into curriculum.
• Communicate with DGR store managers and trainers to align lessons, facilitate student job shadowing, and follow up on student progress.
• Maintain knowledge about trends in customer service, including National Retail Federation Foundation (NRFF) credentialing.

Policies and Standards:

• Be aware of and follow guidelines for all applicable regulatory entities such as Literacy Pittsburgh, Department of Public Welfare, Department of Labor and PA Department of Education.
• Communicate production/job specific expectations to the client; meet regularly with site management to ensure communication of business needs.
• Correctly complete and submit all required and requested program documentation and attend required professional development programming.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Years of Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Education other related field AND 1 year of relevant experience required.

Required:

• Experience teaching, tutoring, or facilitating ESL instruction with adults or youth.

REQUIRED CLEARANCES, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Qualified candidates must have a valid driver's license, active insurance policy, and reliable transportation for local travel.
• Candidates are expected to complete background checks assigned by Goodwill SWPA, including a National Criminal Background check, prior to their first day of employment.
• Candidates are expected to provide current, valid clearances (Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprints Clearance, and PATCH) prior to their first day of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.