VESOL Manager of Instruction

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

Under the direction of the Director ESOL and Advancements Pathways, the Manager of Instruction oversees vocational ESOL, job readiness training, and related activities to support immigrant and refugee participants’ success toward job placement and career advancement goals. They build, strengthen, and grow key partnerships; supervise and support direct service staff; monitor and report all relevant program data and outcomes and evaluate programmatic success; and provide leadership around curriculum development, pre/post assessment tools, instructional quality, and staff professional development to assure participant and programmatic success. Responsibilities include:

supervising and training vocational ESOL instructors and monitoring the effectiveness of instructional techniques and pacing;

instituting any necessary upgrades and changes to ensure success of the program;

collaborating with career coaches, support staff, and management across the division and across the agency as needed to assure goal attainment;

reporting and creating documentation for submission to JVS leadership, funders, and other stakeholders; and

at the discretion of the Director, leading instruction for classes or workshop(s) and/or provide coverage for instructors as needed.

The Manager is part of a larger JVS team, all of whom are supporting the education, training, and employment needs of participants and employers. As an active member of JVS, they equitably contribute to agency performance goals and work to support the overall mission and philosophy of JVS.

Program participants include immigrant and refugee adults seeking to advance their careers through training, education, and/or securing a new or better job. In addition to vocational ESOL services which this Manager oversees, all participants receive integrated, tailored career coaching overseen by other managers in the division.

Essential Job Functions

Build relationships, collaboration and teamwork

support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency

understand the role of project collaborators, particularly if from other programs, and work together to achieve outcomes

establish relationships with key stakeholders (participants, managers, instructors, coaches, employers, partner organizations, funders) and work collaboratively in a structured and on-going manner

• work collaboratively with and encourage collaboration between team members to assist participants in obtaining the skills needed to find and secure employment and ensure performance goals are met

• attend and actively participate in staff meetings, strategic planning, and team-based projects
• provide leadership and support to lead instructors, instructors, and coaches on site at the program

• communicate regularly with the Director and other program leadership to ensure smooth delivery of services
• regularly observe instructors and provide constructive feedback to staff
• lead regular staff meetings and team-based projects
• provide assistance to other JVS programs when needed
• provide leadership in resolving disagreements and conflict in a professional and productive manner
• establish instructor-student and student-student collaborative structures to help develop community and expressive environments

perform other duties as requested

Accountable and Results Focused

• take ownership of the Manager role as a leader with lead instructors, instructors, and other program staff

hire, train and supervise program staff
model expected behaviors for JVS staff and participants
generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks and challenges
be flexible to staff and participant learning styles, and set appropriate limits to ensure all staff perform successfully to meet program goals
assist program staff in areas of difficulty and provide additional support when needed
provide oversight of assessment, enrollment, delivery of services, pre/post assessment with the goal of ensuring that participants obtain their predetermined goals
create a work environment where all staff and participants feel heard, can express ideas, learn, problem-solve and succeed

• work collaboratively with colleagues from across JVS to achieve and track outcomes

develop and modify curriculum based on the needs of both the participants and program
provide regular updates for the leadership team with dashboard indicators and details about enrollment, attendance, retention, and job placement
intervene where necessary in classes where goals are not being met and provide support and strategies for instructors to improve performance

Delivery of Instruction

develop and modify contextualized curriculum and daily lesson plans for English classes with the goal of supporting participants to get a new or better job

deliver training to participants including all subject matter outlined in the curriculum with the goal of ensuring participants obtain the predetermined outcomes

assign, edit and correct participant work in a timely and ongoing basis

evaluate participant progress on a regular basis, as well as provide participants with feedback regarding performance in class and any obstacles that may be impeding progress

provide guidance and support around differentiated curriculum development; participant engagement, retention, attendance and skill development; and substitute teach classes for the site as needed.

Administrative/Communication

• establish, track and meet program dashboard indicators (ex. enrollment, attendance, retention, skill attainment, client satisfaction)

evaluate program performance on a regular basis and provide course correction when necessary

communicate regularly with supervisor to ensure successful program performance

ensure that all key program data in entered into relevant data tracking systems, is accurate and complete

perform all administrative duties associated with instruction and class coordination – including coordinating and delivering information sessions and assessments, enrollment, participant learning plans, ensuring engagement and communication with enrolled participants, verifying attainment of program competencies/skills, and program completion

develop and update class-related forms and procedures on an ongoing basis

track and report attendance, homework completion, classroom participation and testing outcomes on a weekly/monthly basis

regularly follow up and engage with participants who are not attending class

contribute to program performance and summary reports for employers, funders, JVS leadership and other stakeholders regularly and as needed

provide all supervisees with a written annual evaluation in accordance with agency procedures and deadlines

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of 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.

Working Conditions

Frequent meetings with clients, colleagues, and partners. Service delivery is currently hybrid (in-person at JVS offices and remotely online) and is subject to change. Required ability to work in-person at JVS offices weekly and community partner locations as needed. Preferred availability to occasionally lead and/or deliver services remotely in the evenings to accommodate changing client demands and program design.

EDUCATION REQUIRED

BS/BA in Education or related field, TESOL Certificate and/or Masters preferred

MINIMIUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum 2-3 years of program/contract leadership and supervisory experience

Experience in curriculum development and/or workforce development for the adult learner

Ability to analyze course outcomes and propose means to achieve desired outcomes, if appropriate

Demonstrated ability to teach, motivate, and relate to adult learners; knowledge of adult learning theory

Demonstrated and effective presentation and facilitation skills both in person and remotely.

Ability to effectively collaborate and serve diverse individuals at all levels of the organization and externally

Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills

Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication, and organizational skills

Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently

Availability to manage and/or lead remote classes/workshops 1 evening per week preferred

Key Core Competencies

• Program development & oversight
• Managing staff
• Quality improvement

Leadership

• Instructional planning and delivery
• Accountability and results-focused
• Adapting to change
• Building relationships, collaboration and teamwork
• Cultural competency and respect
• Communication skills

Initiative

Planning and organizing

$60 - $65 a year

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.