VESL Instructor

Job Overview: The IRC in San Jose’s Economic Empowerment department provides early employment, economic empowerment education, financial education/coaching and job readiness services to ensure clients achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. The IRC in San Jose’s Economic Empowerment program works to ensure that refugee adult clients have the skills and knowledge to become successfully employed, understand US financial systems, and in are economically independent. The Economic Empowerment department provides programming focused on Vocational English as Second Language (VESL), employment search skills, and job readiness and on the job training education, industry specific trainings in hospitality/ customer service and financial education. VESL Instructor will plan and instruct Vocational English as a Second Language classes to adult refugees preparing for employment in the United States. This position reports to the Economic Empowerment Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

· Plan and teach full time VESL classes to refugee adults with a focus on vocational English acquisition;

· Develop VESL lesson plans that enable clients to gain real- life skills and fully participate in their new communities;

· In coordination with Volunteer Coordinator and Employment Coordinator, assist IRC Employment team in managing volunteer and intern force;

· Collaborate with Economic Empowerment Coordinator to enroll, track, and update clients’ participation in the VESL program in accordance with contractual obligations;

· Maintain case file documents for client’s participation and outcomes;

· Implement basic computer skills training using the IRC computer lab focusing on VESL instruction and Microsoft Office;

· Tailor lesson plans to meet the needs of varying language levels and cultural backgrounds of the refugee students;

· Administer initial client intake English exam, and regular assessments to ensure client’s English progress;

· Maintain case file documentation for individual clients’ activities and outcomes for reporting purposes;

· Monitor classroom participation, and maintain attendance records;

· Implement evaluation to determine success and usefulness of training and programming;

· Aid Economic Empowerment Coordinator in reporting errors or changes in client information in a timely fashion, communicating with Social Services as needed;

· Encourage employment as the pathway to self-sufficiency for newly arrived refugees

· Participate in IRC Communities of Practice, staff meetings, and other networking/learning opportunities in the network;

· Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Employment Coordinator**
Position directly supervises**: N/A**

Indirect Reporting: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Employment Specialist, Career Development Coordinator, IDA Program Specialist, and AmeriCorps Member

External: Santa Clara County, Community Colleges, Employers, and other Community Partners

Job Requirements:

· Undergraduate degree in Adult Education or related field required, Masters preferred. ESL certification such as TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA required.

· 1-2 years+ relevant work experience in in VESL Instruction/Adult Education, or other relevant field.

· Ability to work independently with strong organizational skills.

· Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment;

· Experience working with adult learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups, and with multiple levels of English language skill required; work with refugee populations desirable;

· Experience developing and providing orientations and trainings;

· Experience designing curriculum and integrating technology into teaching desired;

· Self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills and demonstrated success in developing and managing multiple projects and activities;

· Highly organized, attentive to detail, responsible, and flexible: able to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment;

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;

· Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member;

· Proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel;

· Experience working with underserved populations preferred;

· Flexible and resilient.

Work Environment:

· Standard Office Work Environment combined with occasional travel in and around the service delivery area