Job Description
Job Description
PROJECT HOPE BOSTON, INC.
Workforce Development & Education
POSITION DESCRIPTION
ESOL Instructor
Department:
Workforce Development & Education
Reports To:
Education & Training Manager
Status:
Hourly, Non-Exempt
Salary:
$27-30/hour
Schedule:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hours/Week:
9 hours (6 instructional + 3 lesson preparation)
AGENCY BACKGROUND
Project HOPE Boston, Inc. has provided support to families in the Roxbury/North Dorchester area for over 45 years, with a focus on partnering with families seeking housing stability and economic mobility. Founded in 1981 by the Little Sisters of the Assumption, the organization has grown from a family shelter into a comprehensive service provider offering workforce development, adult education, housing counseling, childcare support, and community empowerment programs.
Located in Boston's Dudley Street neighborhood, Project HOPE is at the forefront of the city's efforts to move families beyond homelessness and poverty. In 2006, the organization opened a LEED Silver-certified Community Building on Dudley Street — the first earth-friendly building in Roxbury — which serves as headquarters and a neighborhood hub for services. Project HOPE centers its work on the social determinants of health through an equity lens, partnering with historically marginalized communities.
POSITION SUMMARY
The ESOL Instructor provides online instruction to adult learners enrolled in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program at Project HOPE Boston. This position is responsible for delivering high-quality, standards-aligned instruction to the Level 2 (Low Intermediate) ESOL class. The instructor designs and implements rigorous, contextually relevant lessons that build English language proficiency in support of learners' college, career, and life goals. This position is funded in part through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) under the Adult Education program. It is subject to applicable state and federal requirements for adult education instructors.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Instruction & Curriculum
- Deliver rigorous, engaging online ESOL instruction to adult learners at the Low Intermediate (Level 2) proficiency level.
- Develop and implement lesson plans aligned to the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for Adult Education and Project HOPE's curriculum framework.
- Provide contextual, college- and career-readiness instruction that integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
- Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based instructional approaches that honor learners' lived experiences and linguistic assets.
- Differentiate instruction to meet the range of learning levels, styles, and goals within the class.
- Integrate technology effectively to support online instruction and learner engagement.
- Contribute to ongoing curriculum development and the alignment of materials to current standards.
Assessment & Data
- Administer pre- and post-assessments using DESE-approved tools (e.g., Massachusetts Adult Proficiency Tests (MAPT) to measure learner progress and educational functioning level (EFL) gains.
- Use assessment data to monitor individual learner progress, inform instructional decisions, and adjust pacing and content as needed.
- Maintain accurate and timely attendance records and student data in LACES (the DESE-managed statewide database) and Salesforce in accordance with program and funder requirements.
- Document learner goal setting, progress toward goals, and transitions to next-level instruction or other services.
Learner Support & Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Workforce Development Specialist and ESOL Student Partner to identify students with job search, career exploration, or case management needs and facilitate appropriate referrals.
- Identify students demonstrating readiness to advance to the next class level and communicate recommendations to program staff.
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and psychologically safe online learning environment in which all students feel respected and supported.
- Serve as an active member of the Workforce Development & Education team; attend regular program and staff meetings.
- Participate in required professional development, including DESE-sponsored training and program-specific learning opportunities.
Administrative
- Attend all Project HOPE all-staff meetings and required program meetings.
- Complete other duties assigned in response to the evolving needs of learners and the program.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree required; degree in Education, Linguistics, TESOL, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of one (1) year of instructional experience, preferably with adult learners or in a K–12, higher education, or community-based setting.
- Strong level of appropriate content, knowledge in mathematics and science
- Ability to plan, implement, and differentiate instruction for learners with diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and online classroom management skills.
- Proficiency with video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Office tools) and digital instructional tools.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Commitment to racial equity, cultural humility, and inclusive practice.
- Experience working with or within communities of color, with an understanding of how the Social Determinants of Health and socioeconomic barriers impact educational access and outcomes.
Preferred
- TESOL, TEFL, or TESL certificate (or equivalent credential).
- Experience teaching in an adult education, community-based, or workforce-integrated ESOL program.
- Familiarity with the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards for Adult Education and DESE adult education program requirements.
- Experience with DESE-approved ESOL assessments (e.g., MAPT, LACES).
- Experience with student information systems such as LACES or Salesforce.
- Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply; proficiency in a language spoken by Project HOPE learners (e.g., Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Somali, Arabic) is a significant asset.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and healing-centered educational practices.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Instruction is delivered in person and online via a video conferencing platform as needed; a reliable internet connection and appropriate home or office workspace are required.
- Occasional in-person meetings, trainings, or program events may be required.
- Collaborative work with staff across multiple schedules and program areas.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / EQUIPMENT
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with learners, colleagues, and program partners.
- Ability to use a computer, webcam, and microphone for online instruction.
- Standard office/home-office equipment required (computer, reliable internet access).
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Project HOPE Boston, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including people of color, immigrants, multilingual individuals, and those with lived experience of the communities we serve.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Project HOPE Boston, Inc. online at https://www.prohope.org/current-openings. No phone calls, emails, or unsolicited recruiters, please.
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00pm – 4:00pm (12 hours/week)