Fresh Start Vocational Instructor

VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR - Fresh Start

The Living Classrooms Foundation is a non-profit organization, operated for the benefit of the community, providing hands-on education and job training, with a special emphasis on at-risk youth and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation provides experience-based educational programs emphasizing the applied learning of math, science, language arts, history, reading and writing. Key objectives of all Living Classrooms Foundation programs are career development, experiential learning, community service, elevating self-esteem, and fostering multicultural exchange.

The Living Classrooms Fresh Start Vocational Instructor is responsible for case management, training, and supervision of Fresh Start students.  The ability and desire to work with a wide variety of students and sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged youth is a must.  The instructor possess strong communications skills and be able to move safely around the shop, satisfactorily complete the Maritime Institute course of training on the safe operation of shop tools and equipment, and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. The instructor must hold a valid driver’s license and operate LCF vehicles for field trips, errands, etc.  Instructors are required to work from 8:00am until 4:00pm each Monday through Friday and are required to have 40 hours of staff development training annually, in crisis prevention, conflict management and resolution, suicide prevention, multi-cultural awareness, and other appropriate training.

The instructor reports to the Program Director. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

· Enforcing all Maritime Institute rules, policies, and procedures.

· Possessing an ability to work with at-risk youth in a non-threatening manner.

· Modeling a strong work ethic and all other work appropriate behaviors.

· Fostering a culture of understanding, positive thinking, and problem solving.

· Continually overseeing safety and check out procedures for shop and tool use.

· Upholding and enforcing all safety standards with both hand and power tools.

· Ensuring module outcomes are met.

· Providing wraparound case management services to youth in your module.

· Keeping case notes on student progress.

· Fully implementing and facilitating the Fresh Start curriculum.

· Developing and executing lesson plans, which teach vocational trades, woodworking skills, or business practices with an academic focus on preparation for the GED exam.

· Creating any drafts or plans necessary to execute projects.

· Traveling off-site as needed to assist students with projects.

· Coordinating with the Academic Coordinator, Social Worker, and Director to address the social, academic, and vocational needs of each student in the group.

· Mentoring and/or counseling all Fresh Start students.

· Planning, coordinating, and facilitating appropriate service-learning trips, field trips, and outings.

· Assisting students in setting and achieving individual goals. (Individual Goals and Actions are held with each student on Monday mornings)

· Conducting daily student evaluations and recognitions.

· Writing incident reports, bi-weekly progress notes, and field trip and service-learning forms as necessary.

· Distributing, tracking, and securing student tools.

· Maintaining track of all module supplies, including but not limited to, lumber, tools, student supplies, office supplies, etc.

· Maintaining accurate and current student records and logs and administering pre and post assessments each module.

· Maintaining all tools, fixtures, templates, etc. that deal with the operation of the module.

· Maintaining personal areas in a neat, clean, and organized fashion.

· Participating in staff meetings and training sessions.

· Such other duties as are necessary for the operations of the Foundation or as assigned by the Program Director.  

Living Classrooms Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Handicapped Persons are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap status, Vietnam era or disabled Veterans status.