WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:
We Are CASA’s mission is 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. We Are 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 We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, 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 We Are 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, We Are CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and parents, and oversees We Are CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within We Are CASA. The department also supports CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with We Are CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications.
The Education Department’s Life Skills ESOL (in English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program uses Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners. 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 We Are CASA’s organizing and advocacy efforts in the fight for immigration reform, workers’ rights, universal equality, and social justice.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Adult ESOL Program Coordinator will perform a range of duties to ensure task-based English language acquisition, promote civic engagement, and encourage integration of adult speakers of other languages. Works directly with the Education Team to execute high quality ESOL programming. Oversees all program activities necessary to maintain a consistently successful and effective adult ESOL program and other activities assigned by the ESOL Manager.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the development and implementation of in-classroom advocacy tools that are aligned with We Are CASA’s progressive education model.
- Track teacher lesson plans and provide feedback as needed.
- Train instructors in Popular Education and ensure appropriate application in the classroom and instruction materials.
- Conduct teacher orientation; plan and facilitate teachers’ meetings and trainings.
- Assist with the selection process for new teacher candidates and program volunteers.
- Ensure teachers and volunteers understand rules and operational procedures.
- Observe teachers in the classroom and provide feedback after observation (on file).
- Create a space for dialogue between/with teachers to ensure a pleasant workplace. Teachers and Volunteers should feel they are a part of a team working to create the best learning environment for We Are CASA students.
- Maintain constant/open communication with teachers and volunteers. Conduct teacher survey to obtain teacher feedback.
- Participate in staff meetings between coordinators, manager, and other We Are CASA staff.
- Organize and implement standardized language assessments (pre & post); train and monitor teachers on proctoring the tests; report on the results of the assessment each session for grant writing purposes.
- Prepare copies of supplemental and testing materials on a weekly basis.
- Assist in the administration of student surveys including those related to customer service, program quality, and acquisition of language skills.
- Assist with planning for the end of session parties.
Monitor teacher supplies and materials.
- Conduct community outreach and advertisement (disseminating flyers, emailing community partners, visiting local businesses and centers).
- Recruit, register, add and drop students while keeping master class list updated and enter all relevant data into Salesforce for recordkeeping and reporting purposes.
- Collect & record class registration payments and textbook sales.
- Track program data and progress as required by funders and departmental priorities.
- Provide onsite support to teachers and students.
- Support We Are CASA’s organizing and advocacy efforts; recruit students to participate in CASA events.
- Participation in We Are CASA actions, mobilizations and events as needed and required.
- Participate actively in the annual planning process, including developing and executing individual work plans, evaluating and providing feedback on plans as the year progresses.
- Meet deadlines established by supervisor and in department and individual work plan.
- Promote We Are CASA membership and services; collaborate with other We Are CASA departments and programs to ensure that members enjoy an excellent experience with We Are CASA such that they can contribute to building the power of the immigrant community.
- 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 We Are CASA.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field
- TESOL Certification preferred
- Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in adult ESOL and/or adult continuing education
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Required proficiency in English and Spanish skills both spoken and written; proficiency in French a plus
- Extremely punctual and able to meet programmatic deadlines
- High comfort level with basic computer programs, including Google Suites and willingness to learn other needed computer programs; experience in Salesforce or alternative data system preferred
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
- Detail oriented and extremely organized, experience multi-tasking and prioritizing work across multiple sites/locations
- Knowledgeable regarding Popular Education and other Adult Education methodologies
- Experience working with immigrant learners with limited educational backgrounds and study habits
- Experience creating lesson plans that accommodates a variety of learning styles, learners of limited educational backgrounds & study habits
- Energetic and creative with a can do attitude
- Respectful of all cultures and embraces the Popular Education principle that we all possess the capability of learning multiple languages
- Experience working with immigrant or low-income communities
- Supportive of We Are CASA’s mission and vision
- Deep commitment to social change and to growing We Are CASA as a membership organization in which members have decision-making authority
- Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills; able to work efficiently and effectively in a high-stress environment
- General cash handling and accounting skills to collect and accurately record monies
- Excellent customer service skills
- Must have reliable transportation and a valid US driver’s license
COMPENSATION: $48,000 - $53,540
BENEFITS DESCRIPTION:
Who is eligible?
- All full time and part time permanent positions working 20 hours or more per week.
What We Offer:
- Generous paid time off, including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
- Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
- Excellent Benefits Package including employer paid benefits as follow:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (We Are CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
- Basic life and AD&D
- Long and Short Term Disability insurance
- Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at We Are CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $2,000.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Additional voluntary benefits:
- FSA Account including Dependent Care.
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
- Supplemental Health insurance.
- Allowances:
- Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
- Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for We Are CASA business.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; and handle objects.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
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 rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ADA: We Are CASA will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
OSHA: This role is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.
This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.
We Are CASA and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or 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.
