Back Orientation Instructor

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview:

The Orientation Instructor is responsible for orienting clients referred to the Adult Education Program through the Reception and Placement refugee resettlement program and other asylum, parole, and special immigrant pathways. Individuals referred through the IRC’s resettlement program will be guided through a cultural orientation (CO) program, led by the instructor, covering topics to support community integration. Eligible adults are referred to the program, the instructor will lead those individuals through the enrollment processes and provide orientations to allow for ongoing program participation. Orientations occur on a regular basis, currently two days per week in an in-person classroom with online follow-up and assessments. Attendance and assessment data is case-noted weekly and uploaded into IRC’s online service tracking database. Orientations are delivered through trained in-person and telephonic interpreters.

The ESOL & Orientation Instructor is a part-time, 18.75 hours per week position, reporting to the Adult Education Instructional Supervisor. In-person orientations will be conducted Mondays and Fridays.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver CO programming

o Plan and prepare orientations following organizational guidelines and federal learning objectives combining supplemental educational activities as appropriate.

o Deliver cultural orientation curriculum through interpretation. Coordinate with IRC resettlement and logistics teams to schedule and present orientations with in-person and/or virtual interpreters.

o Track individual progress through orientations, keeping documentation per program requirements, and maintain coordination with logistics and resettlement teams.

• Orient and conference with current and potential students, assisting students in completing necessary intake and enrollment forms, both virtually, using phone and web-based platforms, and in-person.

• Administer English language assessments to measure and track student progress and gains.

• Assist with record-keeping and data entry to support program administration and compliance with programmatic requirements. Document student progress by keeping accurate and timely attendance records, case notes, assessment data, program participant surveys, and observations of student progress.

• Maintain a positive learning environment. Facilitate student learning activities that build cultural and community knowledge and encourage collaboration and positive peer support.

• Maintain open and effective communication with adult education team members. Report regularly on program goals, client attendance, learning activities, student progress and any problems or concerns with clients or program.

• Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and professional development opportunities.

• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (4-year) required.

• Completion of a certificate program in Adult Education, TEFL, TESL, and/or TESOL is preferred.

Work Experience:

• Relevant professional experience in education and/or human services strongly preferred.

• Experience working with immigrants or refugees preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

• Strong desire to support vulnerable individuals and families and enthusiasm for working in a multi-cultural setting.

• Enthusiasm for adult education and language learning.

• An interest in immigrant and refugee and asylee issues and the resettlement process.

• Strong communication abilities, including the ability to lead classes and oversee community volunteers and adult learners.

• Detail oriented and comfortable working with online databases and ensuring accurate entry of digital case notes of class sessions.

• Comfortable working in a cross-cultural environment, in-person, online, and over the phone, with adult learners, sometimes with little or no English proficiency.

• Ability to take initiative, work independently on projects, and follow through on critical tasks.

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, co-teaching and facilitating learning through others.

• Strong time management skills and comfortability with computer and web-based office and communication platforms.

• Fluent in spoken and written English. Bi-lingual abilities in a language spoken by an IRC client group is desired.

Working Environment:

• Standard office work with in-person and virtual delivery of orientations, meetings, and class sessions.

• Work schedule to oversee day-time orientations.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.