Vocational Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title:                           Vocational Instructor

Unit:                            Employment Services

Reports to:                  Director, Workforce Development

Status:                         Full Time; Regular; Non Exempt

Salary Range:             $27.48 to $30.22 per hour (approximately $50,000- $55,000 annually)              

Location:                    Long Island City and The Bronx, NY

Days/Hours:               35 hours per week; Some evenings and weekends may be required

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. 

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Position Summary:

The Fortune Society is seeking to fill the position of Vocational Instructor to oversee the design and implementation of activities that train program participants in basic computer skills and facilitate Social Services training. Under the supervision of the Manager of Training Programs, the Vocational Instructor will conduct afternoon and evening instructional workshops in computer literacy and Social Services, assess participants’ work readiness skills, and support their overall engagement in the program. The Instructor will also assist with administrative responsibilities related to participant enrollment, data tracking, and follow-up.

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit

Embodies Fortune’s mission and values and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Participant Centered

The Vocational Instructor focuses on opportunities to support participants. They have an ability to illustrate the highest level of customer care and empathy while thriving to resolve participant concerns and issues.

Collaboration

The Vocational Instructor expresses disagreement constructively (e.g. by emphasizing points of agreement, suggesting alternatives that may be acceptable to the group). They also have an ability to work effectively with others to ensure participants receive necessary support to thrive in the work readiness workshop. The Vocational Instructor will need to collaborate with Case Managers and all Employment Services’ team members to effectively support them in managing the participant’s needs and ensure attention to coordination in care for other wrap-around services needed.

Feedback and Modeling

The Vocational Instructor encourages and promotes a classroom environment in which all individual differences are valued, respected, and welcome. They promote helpful, behavioral specific feedback, both positive and corrective, to participants on performance and engagement. Vocational Instructor reinforces efforts and checks on participant progress. The Vocational Instructor explains, demonstrates, and reinforces expected behaviors, knowledge, and skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop innovative and engaging curricula that incorporate industry best practices in social services, including HIPAA compliance, confidentiality, motivational interviewing, case management, and relationship building.

• Collaborate with staff to recruit, screen, and assess clients for enrollment in Social Services training programs.

• Design and facilitate dynamic curricula for jobseekers to develop core competencies in computer proficiency, including:

• Email usage and professional communication

• Editing documents such as resumes and cover letters in Microsoft Word

• Utilizing search engines and online tools for self-directed job search

• Work with the team to manage relationships with subcontractors for IT/Computer training initiatives, assist in the partnership procurement process (including development of Memorandums of Understanding, invoices, and payment requests), and maintain ongoing communication with subcontractors and partners, including site visits.

• Oversee the usage and scheduling of vocational and educational laptops, computer labs, and computer resource centers.

• Enter electronic attendance data, maintain student attendance logs, progress reports, and test folders.

• Participate in regular participant case conferences and planning meetings with Education and Employment Services staff

• Contribute to the development and expansion of Education and Employment programs

• Participate in staff meetings and professional development activities

• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED/HSE required

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in facilitating, training, counseling, or providing workforce development services.

• High degree of computer proficiency with the ability to instruct participants in basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, email, and internet applications.

• Comfortable interpreting and using data to support program improvement.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team with individuals from diverse backgrounds, both experiential and academic.

• Ability to apply skills learned from prior work experience or formal academic training in a related field to day-to-day program activities.

• Demonstrated success in being client-centered, self-motivated, and building strong professional relationships.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.