Saturday ESOL Program Assistant (Part-Time, 10-20 hrs)
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, United States
Job Description
Riis Settlement is a community-based non-profit organization that offers comprehensive services to the youth, adults, seniors, and immigrants in the western Queens community. Our mission is to build and strengthen underserved communities in western Queens and act as a catalyst for change. The Immigrant Services program was founded to meet the needs of a growing immigrant population in Long Island City and Astoria and the surrounding western Queens community. Through ESOL and citizenship classes, immigration legal services, case management, and community organizing, we help immigrants be successful in work, education, and civic life.
Riis Settlement seeks a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Program Assistant to provide in-person support on Saturdays for our adult ESOL classes located in Long Island City, Queens. The Program Assistant will provide administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of English classes and support services for adult immigrant students. The Program Assistant will assist with student intake and testing, collect and record daily attendance, conduct follow up with students regarding attendance, perform data entry in appropriate databases, and refer students to receive support services. The Program Assistant works with members of the Immigrant Services team to offer students the opportunities, resources, and support needed to help them grow and achieve self-sufficiency.
Primary Responsibilities
Participant Interaction
- Be on-site during Saturday programming to greet students, respond to inquiries, and provide class information.
- Conduct intake and testing to register new students at the start of each class cycle.
- Maintain contact with registered students regarding attendance and help implement retention strategies to maintain class attendance rates.
- Communicate with current students to assess needed services and resources. Connect participants to support services, including tutoring, legal services, and case management.
- Post-test students at the end of each cycle to measure progress using the Best Plus 2.0 test.
- Assist with community outreach to recruit students to enroll in classes through distributing flyers, mailings, social media, and phone call/text.
- Support other Immigrant Services programs with participant recruitment, intake, and follow-up as needed.
Administrative Functions
- Ensure smooth daily operation of Saturday programming by providing administrative support and assistance to instructors and students, as need arises.
- Assist with preparation and coordination of ESOL program events, including orientations, field trips, workshops, and end-of-semester celebrations.
- Collect and maintain program documents required for contract reporting, including participant intake forms, attendance records, and testing reports.
- Use databases to keep programmatic data up to date, including participant intake information, attendance, testing data, and monthly progress notes.
- Attend Immigrant Services staff meetings and internal and external trainings, as needed.
- Perform general administrative tasks, including answering phones, copying, and filing.
Requirements
- High School diploma required, plus 1 year of relevant experience
- Bilingual English/Spanish required (additional languages are a plus)
- Experience in adult education and BEST Plus 2.0 certified preferred
- Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google sheets
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication
- Flexibility, resourcefulness, and ability to work independently
- Positive demeanor, welcoming attitude, and ability to interact with participants from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Professional conduct that facilitates respect, trust, and collaborative relationships with students and program staff
- Must be available to work in-person Saturdays in Long Island City, Queens
Benefits
This is a part-time position (10-20 hours per week) that requires in-person work on Saturdays 9:00 am 4:00 pm, plus up to 14 additional hours during the weekdays/evenings with a flexible, hybrid schedule.