Experience Inc. Jobs

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

The Vocational and ESL Instructor provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to assist newly arriving, employable refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees and other populations served under the Refugee Social Services and other CWS employment programs as part of employment support activities. Class instruction targets English language acquisition and promotes job readiness and vocational success. The ESL instructor works with diverse literacy levels, from non-literate adults to those who have mastered conversational English. Lessons are designed to practice English language use in different real-life and professional contexts, including, but not limited to, greetings, following directions, job interviews, communicating on the job with a supervisor and with English-speaking co-workers, and basic math skills. In addition, this position maintains records of TANF clients' participation for the County Assistance Office / Department of Human Services.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Teaches simple English grammar, writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills to adult populations through tailored lessons.
• Researches and implements new curriculum based on the needs of attending adults on a track toward employability
• Implements 50% of lesson plans to promote employability and success with interviewing skills, targeting specific job skills. Designs and produces teaching aids/activities to incorporate into the curriculum.
• Adapts schedule as necessary based on program successes and challenges.
• Refers clients with accelerated skills to advanced ESL opportunities in the community.
• Refers clients to supplemental ESL learning tools, strategies, and resources to be used outside of class.
• Assists clients with home technology use (e.g., Zoom app set-up), for those students attending classes virtually. Classes may also be held in-person.
• Gauges student progress, as they complete one ESL cycle and potentially prepare for the next. Contributes necessary documentation to client case files.
• Communicates with the CWS-Harrisburg Employment Specialists to recommend clients' entry into the job-search process and convey any important client needs.
• Acts as a resource for adult students, providing resources information to help them thrive in their new communities.
• Maintains confidentiality of class records and personal information at all times.
• Contacts participants in the CWS Employment programs to encourage attendance and participation in ESL classes.
• Tracks daily attendance of all clients and submits attendance to the program supervisor.
• Refers eligible clients to other career pathways and digital literacy programs.

Additional Responsibilities - Vocational focus:

• Develops and implements vocationally relevant ESL trainings tailored to the specific needs and career goals of the clients.
• Coordinates with employment specialists and case managers to understand job market demands and align curriculum with these needs.
• Collaborates with employment specialists and case managers to monitor client progress and address any barriers to employment.
• Provides periodic one-on-one guidance to help clients develop confidence i their language learning skills to navigate the local employment landscape.
• Ensures any vocationally relevant training materials are culturally sensitive and accessible to a diverse client base.
• Stays updated on best practices in ESL for vocational needs and incorporates these into the curriculum.

General Duties

• Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
• Keeps informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to CWS clients, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
• Represents the program at meetings and speaking engagements relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by program supervisor.
• Performs all duties in culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Works varied hours as necessary.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree and two years' work experience in refugee resettlement and/or classroom experience, teaching adults and children is required; TESOL certification preferred.

Experience: Previous work experience and interest in refugee resettlement, adult education, ESL, or employment and training related services is desired. Ability to provide culturally sensitive support is required.

Other Skills: Fluency in English is required, with superior written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in a primary refugee language is preferred. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, and Word) and Internet applications.

Location: This is an in-person position at CWS-Harrisburg, with the possibility of a hybrid schedule.

Special Requirements

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes: - 403 (b) Retirement Plan - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 27 Days after 2 Years) - 14 Official Holidays - 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly) - Life Insurance and AD&D - Long Term and Short-Term Disability - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Health Savings Account - Flexible Spending Accounts - Commuter Benefits