Vocational Training Partnerships Instructor, Refugee Services

Position: Vocational Training Instructor & Facilitator (Refugee Services)

JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers; and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces. JVS provides a broad range of services, including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post-secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well-qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Vocational Instructor & Facilitator will be responsible for instructing classes and facilitating short-term industry-specific training within the Vocational Training Partnership (VTP) programs in the Refugee Services Department. The goal of VTP is to build professional skills, secure employment, and achieve career advancement for immigrant and refugee participants. The Instructor will develop, modify, and deliver contextualized curriculum and daily lesson plans; assist with intake and orientation of new participants as needed; regularly evaluate student progress and skill attainment; support efforts to advance instructional quality; and incorporate principles for teaching ESOL and relevant vocational topics to build essential skills for participants” success in the workplace. Additionally, the Training Instructor & Facilitator will collaborate closely with program leadership, staff, and relevant employer and community partners to prepare for the successful onboarding, coordination, and completion of all training cohorts and the attainment of program goals.

*VTP client offerings currently include Food Service, Hotels, Customer Service, and Bank Career Training, which take place on-site at JVS” office, remotely, and off-site with employer and community partners. Training courses and on-site need for live instruction are subject to change based on agency and stakeholder needs, as well as employment market trends. *

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Accountability and Results Focused

• facilitate achievement of program dashboard indicators related to the role (ex., enrollment, retention, skill attainment, student satisfaction)

• deliver all subject matter outlined in the curriculum with the goal of ensuring that students obtain the predetermined outcomes
• lead activities and discussions for students and prepare related materials
• assign, edit, and correct student work on a timely and ongoing basis
• be flexible to individual learning styles and set appropriate limits to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to learn
• develop and modify the curriculum based on the needs of both the students and the program
• assist students in areas of difficulty, provide additional assignments for students who will benefit from extra work, and/or collaborate with the coaching team to facilitate additional support
• identify barriers to progress for students and collaborate with relevant staff to remove barriers
• assist with planning and implementation of student celebration of achievement/graduation ceremonies
• generate strategy and solutions in response to both unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks, and challenges

Building Relationships, Collaboration, and Teamwork

• support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency
• work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between team members to ensure performance goals are met. This includes working closely with classroom volunteers, career coaches, and supervisors
• attend and actively participate in staff meetings and team-based projects as needed

• assist fellow team members when needed; this includes assistance with screening, recruiting, and selecting students for incoming cohorts

• establish relationships with key stakeholders (participants, employers, partner organizations, funders) and work collaboratively in a structured and ongoing manner

• take ownership of the instructor and facilitator role as a leader both in and outside the classroom

• model behaviors and skills JVS delivers in classrooms and programs

• create a classroom environment where all students feel heard, can express ideas, learn, and problem-solve in creative ways
• Share best practices with other Refugee Department staff to deliver a coordinated and complimentary job readiness and skills training curriculum

Administrative/Communication Skills

• Communicate regularly with the Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of instruction services in coordination with other department staff
• Facilitate onboarding of all enrolled students

• Evaluate student progress on a regular basis; provide students and their assigned career coach with feedback regarding performance in class and any obstacles that may be impeding progress

• Resolve disagreements and conflict in a professional and productive manner
• Submit a class syllabus at the beginning of each cycle
• Develop daily lesson plans and upload to VTP”s content database weekly
• Ensure lesson plans are ready and accessible in the case of class coverage by a substitute instructor
• Track and report skill attainment, attendance, homework completion, classroom participation, and testing outcomes on a weekly/monthly basis via agency databases, email communications, and other methods as needed
• complete training summary reports for partners, funders, JVS leadership, and other stakeholders, as needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 
  Associate/BS/BA in Education or related field. TESOL Certificate, CELTA, and/or Masters preferred.
  
  
• 
  1-3 years of workplace or related training/teaching experience
  
  

• Knowledge of adult learning theory
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with a diverse group of clients at all levels of the organization

• strong presentation and facilitation skills

• 
  Robust Microsoft Office Suite/365 skills. Experience with Learning Management System software preferred.
  
  

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• 
  Interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
  
  
• 
  Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
  
  

KEY COMPETENCIES:

Classroom management and skill attainment

Instructional planning and delivery

Tracking progress and reporting

Student skill attainment

Promotes Agency

Initiative

Building Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork

Adapting to Change

Accountability and Results Focused

Communication Skills

Cultural Competency and Respect

Planning/Organizing

WORKING CONDITIONS: Frequent meetings with clients, employers, and colleagues. Occasional travel by public transportation to employer and partner locations in the Boston area as needed for client training success. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change. Ability to work in person at JVS offices or training sites weekly as needed is required.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

JVS CULTURE: JVS is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, JVS will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality services.

JVS is an employment-at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, JVS

prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.

JVS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, sexual orientation , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. (Posting Purposes: EOE/M/F/D/V/SO)