Business Communications Instructor - Year Up - Puget Sound (Seattle)

Business Communications Instructor:
Posted by: Year Up - Puget Sound
SEATTLE, WA, US
Title: Business Communications Instructor



Department: Academics/Program

Location: Seattle, WA

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Business Communications Instructor role is a year-round, full-time position that incorporates teaching, curriculum development, advising, group facilitation, and committee work. The instructor will teach the basics of grammar, business communications (professional emails, meeting notes and presentations) and academic writing (summary, essay) from an existing but evolving curriculum. Emphasis in the classroom is on the students learning from each other and through their own curiosity.

Every instructor/fellow at Year Up is more than just a trainer. The foundation of our business model is high support and high expectations for our students. As such, instructors spend much of their time guiding students in professional behavior, helping to build their confidence, and advising them on choices (personal, professional, and educational) that will help them to reach their goals.

Instructors/fellows also participate in committees, site meetings, and other activities that enable our organization to operate and grow successfully.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teaching: Produce and instruct high-quality, well-prepared classes where students learn, are challenged and enjoy the learning process.
  
  • Instruct Business Communications courses of approximately 40 students daily. The curriculum aligns to college-level courses, including Business Writing and/or College English. Curriculum includes reading comprehension, grammar, sentence-paragraph-document structure, analytical writing, rhetorical analysis, resumes, professional emails, meeting notes, summaries, professional presentations, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving.
    
  • Provide guidance for self-directed learning and provide one-on-one tutoring outside of class.
    
  • Manage the classroom successfully following the Year Up contract and behavior modification model.
    
  • The ideal instructor will have some ability with technology in the areas of MS Office; Windows XP; and minor desktop support.
    
• Participation in Curriculum Development:
  
  • Work with other instructors to refine and document the Business Communications curriculum;
    
  • Identify key competencies for instruction to meet both college-level course requirements and industry-workplace needs;
    
  • Hone assessment tools to measure learning and growth of Year Up students and to ensure successful transition of students to corporate internships; make use of these tools to continuously monitor and evaluate Year Up’s performance;
    
  • Ensure that students’ communications abilities and professional skills meet the needs of internship and University partners.
    
• Contribute to Supportive Workplace Relationships and Good Work Ethic
  
  • Advise, support and advocate for students throughout the program and during crucial transitions;
    
  • Develop positive and supportive working relationships with all team members;
    
  • Help maintain an environment of positive, helpful, and forthright communications;
    
  • Work productively as a member of the Learning Team, taking leadership roles where applicable; and
    
  • Support other advisors as needed
    

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for working with urban young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up
  
• Understanding the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
  
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
  
• A proven passion for working with urban youth, an unshakable belief in their potential, and confidence in his/her ability to make a difference
  
• 1- 3 years experience teaching or working with urban youth
  
• An interest in implementing progressive teaching methodologies and in creating a hands-on, interactive learning environment
  
• Experience managing projects with exceptional attention to detail
  
• Excellent communication skills, mature interpersonal style, and the ability to interact with a diverse range of people, strong team work skills
  
• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to work under pressure
  
• A sense of humor and a willingness to be flexible while handling increased responsibilities
  
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
  

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 2000, Year Up is a non-profit organization with a mission to prepare urban young adults aged 18-24 for life and work in our technology-driven society, while guiding them toward successful careers and higher education. Through a one-year, intensive training program, students receive a unique combination of hands-on technical and professional skills, college credit and corporate internships.

In our tenth year of operation, Year Up will serve more than 1,000 students per year across six sites in Boston, Providence, Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco and Atlanta, and expects to open the Chicago site in the summer of 2010. Year Up continues to be recognized as a non-profit leader; we have received numerous awards, including Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award for innovative business model and social impact in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and Opportunity Knock’s Best Nonprofit To Work For in 2009. In 2009, when 75% of non-profits either did not grow or remained flat, Year Up grew its revenue by 23%, enabling us to increase the number of students served by 56% each year since our founding. Much of our success is attributed to our talented and committed staff. Please see www.yearup.org for more information about our program.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Year Up also offers a competitive benefits package including healthcare, dental, 401(k) match and vacation.