Vocational ESL Instructor

Job Overview: The Economic Empowerment department provides early employment, financial education and coaching, and job readiness services to ensure clients achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. The IRC Missoula Vocational English as Second Language (VESL) Plus program will help prepare immigrants and refugees with limited English proficiency to have the skills and knowledge to become successfully employed, understand US financial systems, and become economically self-sufficient. It will be delivered in an intensive, short-term format that utilizes a unique bilingual approach: a half-day of vocational ESL is complemented by a half-day of classes in word readiness, financial literacy, computer literacy and a selection of special topics taught in the refugees’ native language.

Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to:

• Act as the bilingual instructor for training programs, including VESL, Job Readiness Training, Specific Industry job training, and Financial Literacy.
• Incorporate adult learning principles, update and adapt curricula for training programs based on student need.
• Provide ongoing support and instruction to program interns and volunteers.
• Maintain referral process and communication with program staff to ensure students are enrolled in a timely manner.
• Support the development 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.
• Record student attendance and retention to maximize program impact and meet program goals.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive attendance records and case notes.
• Coordinate with team members to provide strengths-based and holistic educational programming to students.
• Participate in all program meetings and other duties as assigned.

Position Reports to: Vocational ESL Instructor

Indirect Reporting: Deputy Director

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: You will collaborate with internal programming including Early Employment and Career Development Departments, Financial Literacy Program Coordinator, Reception & Placement, and Health & Wellness.

External: You will develop working relationships with local service providers and community-based partners, as well as other stakeholders.

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree or relevant work experience. TESOL (or similar relevant) Certification preferred.
• At least two 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.
• 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.
• High computer literacy.
• Ability to drive.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in additional language relevant to current refugee populations required; Swahili, Arabic, Pashto, Dari, Spanish, Ukrainian.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

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.