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 Employment Program Coordinator. This is a part-time, limited duration position (9 months) with the possibility for renewal and/or full-time hours. 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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;
• Conduct ESL class levels ranging 0-3+ with classroom curriculum and self-guided learning kits for students;
• Assist IRC Employment team in managing volunteer and intern force as needed;
• Collaborate with Employment Program Manager to enroll, track, and update clients’ participation in the VESL program in accordance with contractual obligations;
• Collaborate and coordinate with local ESL training providers to provide onramps for clients’ further education;
• Maintain case file documents or tracking for client’s participation, attendance, and outcomes;
• Refer to basic computer skills training using the IRC computer lab or implement in regular VESL instruction, focusing on Microsoft Office and job-related computer usage.
• Tailor lesson plans to meet the needs of varying language levels and cultural backgrounds of the 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 Employment Program Manager 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;
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in the IRC Economic Empowerment Team and San Jose office;
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies;
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships: 

Position Reports to: Employment Program Manager 
Position directly supervises:  N/A

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

Internal: Employment Program Coordinator, Employment Specialist/Caseworker, VESL Instructor, Digital Literacy 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

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.