HopeWORKS WORK READINESS INSTRUCTOR
Background
The HOPE Program is a leader among New York City job training providers, upskilling adult
jobseekers (ages 18 – 70) for a broad range of sectors, including a focus on green construction,
maintenance, infrastructure, and related careers. We work with individuals facing deep
structural barriers to employment, including histories with the criminal legal system, current
and/or past homelessness, substance abuse disorders, low educational attainment, and more.
Our comprehensive approach includes classroom training, industry-recognized certifications,
digital literacy and access, financial literacy and access, mental health support, case
management, paid job training, and our signature “HOPE for Life” approach, which provides a
vital community of support throughout the lives of HOPE graduates’ careers. With measurable
outcomes among the strongest in the industry, HOPE’s impact sits at the intersection of
COVID-19 recovery, racial justice, and building a more equitable future for New York City. Our
work is best described in the words of our graduates, such as Ramon.
The Position
HOPE is seeking a Work Readiness Instructor who will facilitate the HOPEworks, (HW) training
program which consists of essential work readiness skills. HW is a seven weeks,
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM job readiness training program that prepares adult
jobseekers with robust classroom experience including essential skills like digital literacy,
introductory math, financial planning, communication and conflict management, resume
building, and job application support, as well as interview prep.
Work Readiness Instructors train five days a week when a cohort is in session. When a cohort
is not in session the Work Readiness Instructor’s schedule is hybrid with three days. The main
office is located at HOPE’s Brooklyn location at 1 Smith Street, with the expectation that you
will be at different locations within the five boroughs based on program needs. This position
reports to the Assistant Brooklyn Director, Instruction and HW.
HOPEWORKS WORK READINESSINSTRUCTOR
Responsibilities
Student Management
● Work closely with the Assistant Director to gain familiarity with the history and goals of
the HW program. This includes training approximately 70+ jobseekers annually.
● Build a detailed classroom calendar and daily schedule for program delivery and
communicate with the HOPE team and current students.
● Organize and connect with both internal and external facilitators to arrange class
schedules.
● In line with the HW curriculum, build out and prepare for individual, daily lessons,
including any materials, resources, and assessments to support student learning.
● Deliver the HW curriculum which includes interactive lessons, such as goal setting,
communications, resume drafting, interview skills, conflict resolution, networking, etc.
● Continually integrate new facilitation strategies that reflect unique class dynamics,
increase interactivity and context for adult learners, integrate digital and other skills, and
align with real-time changes in the labor market.
● Offer office hours and 1:1 coaching for students to support their persistence in the
program and readiness for employment. This includes engaging in performance
improvement plans for students.
● Identify students with vocational, educational, housing, clothing, health, or other needs
and facilitate their access to appropriate services at HOPE or elsewhere.
● Participate effectively as a team member and communicate regularly about student
progress with HOPE colleagues, especially the Employment and Graduate Services
team to ensure students seamlessly transition to job search.
● Serve as a backup instructor for other Work Readiness Instructors where needed and
appropriate.
Cohort Management
● Ensure students meet completion expectations in line with the Student Handbook,
including attendance, participation, behavior, and learning acquisition.
● Support students in meeting relevant expectations of non-soft skills program
components delivered by peers at HOPE and by partner organizations.
● Maintain accurate and current student records (attendance records, reports for referring
partners, case notes, etc.) as per programmatic requirements, government contracts,
and research purposes.
HOPEWORKS WORK READINESSINSTRUCTOR
● Be trained and engage in mental health modalities like Mental Health First Aid,
Motivational Interviewing, Screening and Referrals, and Psychoeducation in partnership
with HOPE’s Wellness team.
● Prepare for and participate in weekly client meetings and 1:1 supervision with the
Program Director.
● Maintain accurate and current student records (attendance records, reports for referring
partners, case notes, etc.) as per programmatic requirements, government contracts,
and research purposes.
● Participate in conferences, onsite training, site visits, etc. to ensure continued industry
engagement and curriculum relevance as well as professional development.
● Facilitate or assist with special activities (e.g. graduation ceremonies, holiday dinners,
retention events, student recruitment events, student intake interviews, and practice
interviews), as needed.
● Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of
the duties in this job classification.
Minimum Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of three years experience in adult education or
group facilitation as well as skill in meeting the needs of various populations, with
barriers to employment
● Demonstrated ability to meet program enrollment and completion goals.
● Clear verbal, and written communication and presentation skills with a wide range of
partners and stakeholders.
● Solution-oriented, flexible, and adaptable.
● Ability to prioritize tasks, multi-task, highly organized, and meet deadlines.
● Strong digital skills and experience with CRM for reporting preferred.
● An advocacy mindset with support and concern for students’ outcomes
● Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing principles a plus
● Experience in Google Suite and Google Classroom a plus
Salary/Benefits
The salary range for this position is $55,000 – $65,000 and is dependent on experience. HOPE
provides a full package of benefits including healthcare and dental insurance, a retirement plan,
competitive vacation (plus half-day Fridays during summer which is equal to 7.5 additional
vacation days), and 12 paid holidays.
The HOPE Program is an equal-opportunity employer.