Job Type: Full-time, year round (Non-Rep Salaried, level 13 with benefits) until June 30, 2024
Salary Range: $52,918 - $67,446
Contract Period: This is a 1.5 year grant funded position until June 30, 2024. The position is not anticipated to continue after the grant period ends.
Overview: This is an exciting time to join the team at Portland Adult Education (PAE), the largest school for adults in Maine. We serve approximately 2,000 adult learners annually in our Academic and Workforce programs (ESOL, High School Diploma, College Transitions, and Workforce preparation) and offer both in-person and remote classes. We serve another 1,000 adults a year in our Enrichment programs which are offered throughout the City of Portland. We are dedicated to our values of Community, Commitment, and Curiosity and place a high value on staff collegiality.
Position Description:
The 1.5 year, grant-funded Extended Learning Opportunities Specialist will be responsible for developing a system to guide prospective, waitlisted ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students to extended learning opportunities internal and external to PAE. Responsibilities will include developing strategies to improve the current waitlist system, and actively managing and reducing the waitlist through contact with prospective students and referrals to other educational opportunities. The ELO will develop and maintain an inventory of the regional ESOL services available, and will collaborate with regional adult education sites and local non-profit organizations to develop a plan for expanded ESOL instruction and support. The ELO Specialist will also work closely with a broad range of staff to promote alternative learning opportunities internal to PAE such as the Digital Learning Lab, and will collaborate to develop PAE orientations for new or prospective students. They will also pilot small-scale, targeted summer programming in the summer 2023.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Assess and improve the internal waitlist management system at PAE
Coordinate with the Intake Coordinator, Learning Lab Coordinator, ESOL Department, Front Office staff, Communications Coordinator and other key personnel to implement changes to the waitlist system
Proactively engage with people on the waitlist to share internal and external learning opportunities through multiple communication channels such as email, SMS, WhatsApp, one-on-one meetings, orientation sessions, etc., and to let them know when ESOL class openings become available
Refer students to appropriate external learning opportunities or ancillary services within PAE such as workshops
Collaborate with and attend monthly ESOL Collaborative meetings
Outreach to other partners and stakeholders to understand the scope of ESOL instructional supports in the region
Revise and maintain an updated services map of regional ESOL learning opportunities external to PAE
Support the Executive Director and other regional adult ed programs, non-profit organizations, and community agencies to develop a plan for a regional approach to ESOL services
Plan and coordinate pilot summer learning workshops or classes at PAE in coordination with the English and Digital Learning Lab
Coordinate with staff to design, plan and pilot PAE student orientation sessions
Keep track of and periodically report on data points related to grant terms and conditions
Required Skills/Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related field preferred
Highly independent and self-motivated
Ability to communicate clearly with people who are not fluent in English or do not have another language in common with you
Ability to understand and appropriately respond to cultural and linguistic diversity and life situations
Ability to leverage multiple communication methods
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
Ability to develop positive relationships with internal and external partners
Data analytic skills
Clear, concise oral and written communication skills
Ability to manage time, set priorities, plan & implement projects effectively
Ability to work in a demanding environment; and a willingness to learn
Excellent computer and administrative skills
Preferred:
Strongly preferred: Ability to speak two or more languages fluently (through life experience, advanced study or a combination thereof)
Experience working with multicultural, minority or immigrant communities
Familiarity with PAE and its programming
Previous experience in ESOL, education, or community development
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Criminal History Records Check (CHRC)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Light physical effort may be required
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Required to attend school meetings, programs and activities outside the instructional day as needed.
Work is onsite at 14 Locust Street in Portland, ME. Hours may include evening and/or weekend work.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No
TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and resume to the application link.
Please note: We do not accept applications from third parties.
Position Type: Full-time
Employer Description
Maine’s largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 and about 4,700 adult learners.
The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city’s colleges and universities.
Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.
The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.
Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district – an estimated 100,000 hours per year.
Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country’s top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.
The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.
High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and “green” construction.
More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district’s enrollment. The district’s diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.
Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.
Most of Portland’s middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.
See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-- connecting the schools to the wider community—results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
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