Vocational ESL Instructor

Job Overview

The IRC’s Center for Financial Opportunity (CFO) is dedicated to empowering newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency through securing entry-level employment, advancing towards living wage positions, acquiring basic financial management skills, building assets, and initiating small businesses. CFO is home to the Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) program, which is designed to offer group-based English language instruction to adult refugees at varying levels of proficiency, either in-person or remotely. The VESL Instructor plays a crucial role in this endeavor, tasked with delivering engaging instruction, developing, and refining a curriculum that effectively facilitates the acquisition of English language skills conducive to employability. Collaborating closely with the Senior Workforce Training Supervisor, the VESL Coordinator, IRC Technical Advisors, and other staff members, the VESL Instructor is instrumental in ensuring that clients meet their personal and professional objectives.

Major Responsibilities

• Teaches Vocational English as a Second Language classes, including specialized tracks focused on acquiring basic digital literacy skills, knowledge about driving so as to pass permit and behind-the-wheel driving tests, child care licensing, and others as developed and needed;
• Assesses students in order to evaluate their progress; tracks and reports student attendance as advised;
• Develops lesson plans and materials in collaboration with the VESL Coordinator;
• Follows established policies and procedures in gathering and recording classroom attendance, homework completed, and other data required by grant funders;
• Coordinates with the Employment Training Supervisor, VESL Coordinator, Employment Specialists, and other relevant staff through regular communication, participation in team meetings, and other activities as requested;
• Participates in Workforce, VESL, and CFO meetings, and staff development activities, as possible;
• Stays current on standard methodologies, pedagogical approaches, and strategies to engage adult ESL learners;
• Follows all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a related field strongly required; Master’s degree preferred;
• Experience teaching ESL required; 2+ years ESL teaching experience preferred;
• On-line instruction/learning experience preferred;
• Maintain accurate and timely data records of student enrollment and participation;
• CA driver’s license and car required;
• ESL certification strongly preferred;
• Experience working with immigrant populations and adults strongly preferred;
• Experience with workforce and job training programs preferred;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently to resolve challenges;
• Proven cultural competency and sensitivity to working with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to bring creativity to the classroom to teach to audiences with varied levels of English;
• Flexible, adaptable, and willing to work in a team environment;
• Strong written and oral English language skills.

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 needs.
• Requires work at both City Heights and El Cajon offices.
• May require occasional work during evenings or weekends.
• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm.

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.