Vocational ESOL Instructor - Advancement ESOL

JVS Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 54,800; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused nonprofit organization is seeking a Vocational ESOL Instructor to lead and develop English classes for immigrant and refugee participants. Responsibilities include creating curriculum, providing career coaching, and tracking individual progress. The ideal candidate will have a BA in Education or a related field, experience in teaching adults, and exceptional communication skills. The role requires flexibility for hybrid teaching, contributing to community inclusion and workforce development.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of directly related experience or a certificate/associate degree and 1 year of related experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Vocational English classes.
• Support immigrant and refugee participants’ job placements.
• Modify curriculum based on student needs.

Skills

Teaching

Classroom management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Associate/BS or BA in Education or related field

TESOL/TEFL or CELTA certificate

Job description

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 leads and develops Vocational English classes, workshops, and trainings to support immigrant and refugee participants’ job placement and career advancement. This person will develop and modify contextualized curriculum and daily lesson plans for Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (VESOL) classes; intake and orient new participants; deliver Vocational ESOL instruction and trainings; regularly evaluate goals, progress and skill attainment of individual participants; track outcomes; support efforts to advance instructional quality; attend strategic team meetings both in the Refugee department as well as agency wide meetings; and collaborate with staff in the department and across the agency to ensure attainment of personal, programmatic and client 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 a program participant 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 celebration ceremonies.
• 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.
• Build relationships, collaboration and teamwork; and create an environment where students feel heard, feel free to express ideas, learn and problem solve in creative ways.
• Establish relationships with colleagues and partners and work collaboratively in a structured and ongoing 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 asks 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.
• 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.

Working Conditions

• Frequent meetings with clients, colleagues, and partners. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in‑person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change. Ability to work in‑person at JVS offices as needed weekly is required. Availability to lead classes remotely in the evenings preferred to accommodate changing client demands.

MINIMUM SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.
• Interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Presentation and facilitation skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite 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.
• Availability to lead remote classes/workshops 1‑4 evenings per week preferred.
• EDUCATION REQUIRED:
• Associate/BS or BA in Education or related field preferred.
• TESOL/TEFL, and/or CELTA certificate preferred.
• 3 plus years directly related experience; or certificate/associate degree and 1 year of related experience.
• KEY COMPETENCIES
• Classroom management.
• Instructional planning & delivery.
• Progress tracking and reporting.
• Student skill attainment.
• Accountability and results focused.
• Adapting to change.
• Building relationships, collaboration and teamwork.
• Cultural competency and respect.
• Communication skills.
• Initiative.
• Planning and organizing.

$45,000 - $54,800 a year

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.

JVS is an employment at‑will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, JVS prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.