Vocational Training Partnership Instructor

POSITION: Vocational Training Partnership Instructor

SUPERVISES: Classroom Volunteers
Status: Full-Time

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager
FLSA: Non-Exempt

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: The Instructor will be responsible for instructing classes primarily within the Vocational Training Partnership (VTP) as part of the Refugee Services Department. The goal of VTP is to build professional skills and achieve career advancement for immigrant and refugee participants. The Instructor will develop, modify and deliver contextualized curriculum and daily lesson plans for VTP’s short term, industry specific training programs. Additionally, the Instructor will assist with intake and orientation of new participants as needed; regularly evaluate student 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 attainment of program goals. For all VTP classes, the Instructor will practice principles for teaching ESOL as needed to build essential skills for participants’ success in the workplace.

VTP trainings currently include Food Service, Hospitality, Healthcare and Bank Career trainings that take place on-site at JVS’ office, remotely, and off-site with partner employers. Emerging classes will be in general Customer Service, for which the Instructor will contribute to curriculum development and provide instruction.

*This is a part-time hourly role, offering 17.5 hours per week. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change as organization and stakeholder needs evolve. VTP trainings also include offsite components at employer partner locations in the Boston area.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Accountability and Results Focused:

• establish, track and meet program dashboard indicators (ex. enrollment, retention, skill attainment, student satisfaction)
• deliver all subject matter outlined in the curriculum with the goal of ensuring that students obtain the predetermined outcomes
• lead activities and discussions for students and prepare related materials prior to class assign, edit and correct student work in a timely and ongoing basis
• be flexible to individual learning styles, and set appropriate limits to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to learn
• develop and modify curriculum based on the needs of both the students and program
• assist students in areas of difficulty and provide additional assignments for students who will benefit from extra work
• assist with planning and implementation of student celebration of achievement/graduation ceremonies, as needed
• generate strategy and solutions in response to both unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks and challenges

Building Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork:

• support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency
• work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between team members to ensure performance goals are met. This includes working closely with classroom volunteers, career coaches, and supervisors
• attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-based projects as needed
• assist fellow team members when needed; this includes assistance with screening, recruiting, and selecting students for incoming cohorts
• establish relationships with key stakeholders (participants, employers, partner organizations, funders,) and work collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner
• take ownership of the instructor role as a leader both in and outside the classroom
• model behaviors and skills JVS delivers in classrooms and programs
• create a classroom environment where all students feel heard, can express ideas, learn and problem solve in creative ways
• engage with and welcome classroom guests including JVS leadership, JVS employer partners, and JVS internal departments

Administrative/Communication Skills:

• communicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of instruction services in coordination with other department staff
• share progress reports and best practices with other Refugee Department Instructors to deliver a coordinated and complimentary job readiness and skills training curriculum
• evaluate student progress on a regular basis; provide students and their assigned career coach with feedback regarding performance in class and any obstacles that may be impeding progress
• resolve disagreements and conflict in a professional and productive manner
• submit a class syllabi at the beginning of each cycle
• develop daily lesson plans for each component and submit to Supervisor
• create emergency lesson plans for substitute instructors and submit these plans at the beginning of each active cycle
• track and report attendance, homework completion, classroom participation and testing outcomes on a weekly/monthly basis; via agency database, Excel sheets, email communications, and other methods as needed
• complete program summary reports for partners, funders, JVS leadership and other stakeholders, as needed
• perform other duties as requested

MINIMIUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate/BS/BA in Education or related field. TESOL Certificate, CELTA, and/or Masters preferred.
• 1-3 years of workplace or related training/teaching experience
• knowledge of adult learning theory
• ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a diverse group of clients at all levels of the organization
• strong presentation and facilitation skills
• strong Microsoft Office Suite/365 skills. Experience with Learning Management System software preferred.
• strong written and oral communication skills
• interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• ability to work as part of a team as well as independently

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Promotes Agency
• Initiative
• Building Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork
• Adapting to Change
• Accountability and Results Focused
• Communication Skills
• Cultural Competency and Respect
• Planning/Organizing

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Classroom management
• Instructional planning and delivery
• Tracking progress and reporting
• Student skill attainment

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Frequent meetings with clients, colleagues, and partners .

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

About JVS Boston:

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency that is one of the largest providers of workforce development services in Greater Boston. Our mission is to: Empower individuals from diverse communities to overcome barriers to employment and begin building careers. Establish partnerships with employers to hire and train productive workforces.