Vocational ESL Coordinator

Job Overview: The Workforce department supports employment through career development education, digital literacy education, transportation education, and job readiness services to ensure clients achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. Our educational programming works to ensure that newly arrived refugees have the skills and knowledge to become successfully employed and are economically self-sufficient. The VESL Coordinator will provide the day-to-day supervision of the VESL Plus Program and the VESL instructors. The position will develop, refine, and implement the VESL curriculum with the goal of helping refugees, asylees, and parolees obtain early employment. While VESL Plus cohorts target the development of both English language and work readiness skills, some may have an additional focus on driver education and safety, family childcare licensing, beginner computer skills, or literacy. The VESL Coordinator will work closely with the VESL and broader workforce team to provide guidance and support with required instructional and administrative goals and tasks.

Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to:

• Encourage and support the advance planning, outreach, and implementation of each VESL Plus cohort, working closely with both the VESL and Workforce teams.
• Play the lead role in incorporating adult learning principles, updating, and adapting curricula for training programs based on client need or funder priorities.
• Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to develop and maintain volunteer support for educational programming.
• Provide ongoing support and instruction to program staff.
• Provide VESL instruction for 1-2 workshops per year and covering direct report’s VESL workshops while they are out of the office.
• Maintain referral process and communication with program staff to ensure students are enrolled in a timely manner.
• Train and mentor VESL Instructors in classroom management and curriculum implementation.
• Develop and administer student evaluation tools.
• Ensure that programming and curriculum is linguistically sensitive and culturally relevant to client population, and classroom environment is welcoming to all students.
• Implement and lead VESL team in the management of student attendance and retention to maximize program impact and meet program goals.
• Lead VESL team in the collection of accurate and comprehensive attendance records and case notes.
• Implement and coordinate with direct reports to provide strengths-based and holistic educational programming to students.
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.
• Follow all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency.

Position Reports to: Senior Workforce Training Supervisor

Position directly supervises: VESL Instructors (3)

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree or relevant work experience. TESOL (or similar relevant) Certification strongly preferred.
• At least three years related professional experience; demonstrated experience with Job Readiness Training, VESL, developing and facilitating educational programming for underserved populations.
• Experience working with adult learners from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups, and with multiple levels of English language skill required; work with newcomer populations desirable.
• Experience designing curriculum and integrating technology utilizing Adult Education core principles.
• Experience managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Able to think creatively and strategically to overcome barriers and develop new program models.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, responsible, and flexible.
• Self-starter with excellent analytical skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in additional language relevant to current refugee populations a plus

Working Environment:

• Standard, professional office environment, including the current hybrid mode of remote work within San Diego County and required in-office days, and some ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities. Office working environment is subject to change based on organization/business need. Standard office hours are scheduled Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with evening and weekend work necessary on occasion;
• Regular travel to off-site locations is required; valid Driver’s License, active and sufficient insurance and reliable transportation required;

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: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.