Program Associate – Afternoon Schedule (Brooklyn, NY)

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) exists to break the cycle of poverty and inequity through education, job training, and employment. Our vision to strengthen the workforce by serving as a bridge to economic opportunity for individuals in underserved communities is critical for economic recovery. Through our skills-based training, education, and direct job placement, we build upward economic mobility for out-of-school and unemployed youth and adults and provide the skills necessary to gain a competitive edge in the job market. Through our principles of accountability, confidence, and professionalism, we emphasize Values of Integrity-Respecting our commitments, personally and professionally, Excellence-Pushing one another to be our very best and Empowerment-Positive change begins with us. Our commitment to fostering and maintaining a work environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into our organizational DNA.

Diversity & Racial Equity Mission Statement: We recognize that structural racism, discrimination, systems of power, and other forms of oppression, give privilege and access to resources, lead to inequities, and have contributed to persistent disparities.  OBT is on an intentional journey to champion and operationalize the values of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion into our organization and the communities we serve. We strive to sustain a culture where all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging, especially those whose voices and experiences have been historically marginalized. We commit our work to breaking oppressive barriers and serving as a bridge to sustainable economic opportunities that will build and strengthen an equitable workforce.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging (DEIA&B) Statement: We value individual differences and the benefits diversity and inclusion bring to our organization. It enables us to effectively grow by developing respected representation in the communities OBT serves while giving back through our personal experiences and efforts thereby adding immediate value. We understand that diversity is not simply about people who represent the full spectrum or ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientation, gender identity, beliefs, religions and faith, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability; it also involves our ability to being open-minded and creating balance within OBT as an organization. Within our diversified workforce, we see our differences as assets, not liabilities and intentionally prioritize methods to enhance our DEIA&B journey. OBT realizes that diversity is an important issue for our organization, but we also realize that it is not enough to hire people with the differences mentioned above. Everyone needs to feel like they are truly welcome, safe and free to be themselves in the workplace. We are establishing a sense of belonging and inclusion, so we can ensure that all employees, regardless of their background and experiences, are connected with equal opportunities and create a healthier, more successful future together.

Position Summary:
The Adult Education and Literacy (AELP) department provides English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses, citizenship preparation classes, computer literacy classes, and GED preparation for youth and adults 18+. AELP programs incorporate full wrap around services including job readiness, job placement, and college preparation. The goal of the program is to help youth and adults improve their English language proficiency, enhance literacy skills, gain citizenship, obtain their GED, and obtain or improve employment. Reporting to the Program Director, the Program Associate provides critical administrative support to the AELP program during our afternoon and evening classes. The hours for this role are 1:30pm – 8:30pm.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: 

• Answer and route phone calls to AELP program and take accurate messages.
• Provide information regarding available AELP programs. 
• Schedule and maintain records of intake and testing appointments.
• Pre-screen requests for program services and make external referrals if appropriate.
• Enter client information into Salesforce and other specified databases (i.e., PTS and CWE outcomes for AELP).
• Facilitate workshops and classes as needed for participants.
• Organize and assist with pre-testing and post-testing of TABE and BEST Plus 2.0.
• Evaluate TABE and BEST Plus results for outcomes and gains.
• Maintain accurate Excel spreadsheets to track student attendance for AELP program.
• Process student applications for the TASC and assume responsibility for communicating any changes to the appropriate people.
• Make student retention phone calls based on daily attendance for AELP program.
• Assist AELP staff with administrative/clerical duties while having a broad interpretation of his/her responsibilities.
• Produce routine and uniformly high-quality reports that are on time and accurate.
• Maintain student files in preparation for contractual audits.
• Provide internal and external referrals to students.
• Perform all other appropriate tasks assigned by supervisor. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Passion for OBT’s mission and purpose and an ability to communicate this passion to others; demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• An innovative and patient professional dedicated to serving adult education populations.
• Ability to manage time, maintain accurate and timely student attendance records.
• Ability to accurately enter information into various databases; ability to maintain average daily attendance requirements.
• Must be able to work flexible days and hours – including evenings.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.   
• Ability to elicit positive feedback regarding performance from public and program participants.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and helpful rapport with students, colleagues, and program participants. 
• Must possess a friendly, outgoing, and professional personality and be able to maintain a high degree of discretion in dealing with confidential information.

Education and Experience/Training: 

• Associates degree required; BA/BS preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Other Qualifications:  

These are the skills & attributes that all OBT employees need in order to meet the expectations of each other, our participants, and our partners.

Communicate with Clarity – Be clear, concise, and actionable. Be relentlessly constructive. Seek and provide meaningful feedback.

Work with Purpose – Exhibit a “We Can” mindset. Results outweigh effort. Everyone understands how their role contributes. Set aside personal objectives for team results.

Drive to Decision – Cut the swirl with defined deadlines and decision points. Be clear on individual accountability and decision authority. Guided by a commitment to and accountability for mission outcomes.

Own the Outcome – Defined milestones, commitments and intended results. Assess your work in context, if you’re unsure, ask. Demonstrate unwavering support for decisions.