ESOL Manager

CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA”s mission to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The Education Department supports CASA”s multi-generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families as a whole in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. All across its footprint, CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and parents, and oversees CASA”s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within CASA. The department also supports CASA”s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with CASA”s Department of Politics & Communications.

The Education Department”s ESOL (in English for Speakers of Other Languages) Programs use Popular Education and traditional education methodologies to address the educational needs of its adult learners and provide them with otherwise unavailable educational opportunities. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student”s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment. The classes also serve to empower students to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community in coordination with CASA”s organizing and advocacy efforts in the fight for immigration reform, workers” rights, universal equality, and social justice.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Education, the ESOL Manager provides leadership to CASA”s ESOL programs for national members and members within the state of Maryland. Responsibilities include: staff management, grant management, fiscal management, new program development, professional development, resource development, partnership management and cultivation, community collaborations, program reporting and accountability, data collection, and outcomes tracking.

The desired candidate will have a progressive, broad vision for the role of educational programming for families facing economic hardship. Knowledge and experience with popular and practical education instruction, the capacity to grow and develop new programs, a willingness to work with diverse partner organizations, and be committed to equitable educational excellence.

The current position will supervise and work with: program coordinators, recruit and contract teachers. Employees are hard-working, mutually supportive, collegial, entrepreneurial and creative.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate program development and delivery with curriculum design, teacher professional development, and instructional services.
• Oversee the processes for intake, assessment and placement.
• Manage recruitment, training, and evaluation for instructional staff.
• Ensure the program is inclusive, culturally responsive and has options for students with special learning needs.
• Assure instructional standards are met with schedule flexibility, teacher/learner ratios, and support services.
• Prepare reports for funders, government agencies, legislators, partners, CASA”s board and other stakeholders.
• Testify in public commentary in support of improved educational access and opportunity for our membership and to address inequities.
• Monitor and evaluate staff, student, and program progress, data quality, and program design.
• Monitor expenditures and fiscal reporting for instructional services.
• Manage reporting requirements, guide metrics development for performance improvement and reporting processes.
• Support the expansion of ESOL programming for national members and members living in Maryland including pilot projects
• Perform other duties as assigned based upon program demographics, enrollment trends, and the needs of target populations.
• Collaborate with other CASA departments to engage families and support adult education and leadership development.
• Partner with local universities and community serviing organizations to recruit interns and volunteers.

Management and Supervision:

• Supervise staff, interns and volunteers providing educational services to national members and members living in Maryland - providing leadership, motivation, and facilitating professional growth of staff.
• Provide support to staff in the development and implementation of annual individual work plans.
• Recruit and supervise additional staff/consultants as needed.
• Conduct annual program and personnel evaluations for staff under their supervision.
• Ensure fulfillment of all federal, and state requirements, as well as CASA policies, including ensuring that all staff comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communications Workers of America.
• Participation in CASA and CASA in Action actions, canvassing, mobilizations and events as needed and required.
• Provide quality customer service, interactions and responses to all members, partner organizations, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with CASA.
• Understand and promote CASA membership and services.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Supervise van-usage for education related activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Bachelor”s degree required, or Master”s degree.
• TESOL certification desired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Background in educational instruction or administration.
• Professional experience creating and managing budgets.
• Professional experience in grant management.
• Experience in curriculum design and development, instructional processes and strategies.
• Bilingual - English/Spanish required. Fluency with French is a plus.
• Experience working with a multilingual and multicultural communities.
• Experience working with a variety of educational, business and community organizations, and creating partnerships.
• Experience working with learners of limited educational backgrounds and study habits.
• Respectful of all cultures and a strong belief that everyone is capable of academic success and able to learn a new language.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Aligns with CASA and CASA in Action”s mission, vision and values.
• Honesty, integrity, credibility, and discretion.
• Strong work ethic, and personal accountability.
• Proactive, anticipates problems and offers solutions, initiates and makes good decisions with minimal supervision.
• Capacity to interact collegially with staff, students, volunteers and stakeholders with emotional intelligence, professionalism, confidence, tact and good judgment.
• Professional demeanor and appearance.
• Punctual and consistent attendance required with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Demonstrated leadership in the field of education.
• Program assessment and evaluation experience.
• Able to write grant proposals.
• Ability to form solid partnerships and/or coalitions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must meet physical demands by CASA. CASA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with different disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: This position is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status and national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID-19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA”s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.