Career Opportunities
Can you imagine not being able to read an email? Or not knowing how to sign your name legibly? That is the reality for 32,000,000 people in the United States. In Massachusetts alone, 17% of adults are considered at risk for difficulties using and comprehending print material.
At First Literacy, we are committed to helping adults in Massachusetts improve their literacy skills so they can succeed in every aspect of their lives. This means helping adult learners continue their education and championing the incredible teachers that are on the front lines of the fight for adult literacy. Through our free professional development workshops for teachers, grants for innovative new programs, and scholarships for adults continuing to higher education or vocational training, we support the continuum of Adult Basic Education and help adult learners achieve their full potential.
First Literacy is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to providing opportunities that promote diversity, growth, and a professional work environment.
Open Positions
Scholar Support Coordinator
First Literacy is seeking a new person to join their team! We are looking for a Scholar Support Coordinator. This is a 10hr/week hybrid position.
For the past 30 years, First Literacy has been supporting Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) programs in Massachusetts. We do this through our free professional development workshop for teachers, small grants to programs with innovative ideas, and scholarships for adult learners who are continuing their education at community college or a vocational training program.
This year, First Literacy has awarded 43 scholarships to adult learners who are beginning or continuing their studies at community colleges. We recognize the need for our scholarship recipients to receive support and to have an advocate for them on their behalf, at their community colleges. The Scholar Support Coordinator will be responsible for reaching out to our scholars, building a relationship with each of them, determining what they need, and helping them to get the resources and support that they need. This support includes (but is not limited to): helping them connect with academic support, food/housing resources, transportation support, legal/citizenship, financial advising, and career planning support.
This is a 10-month (August through May), 10-12 hour/week position. The Scholar Support Coordinator will report to the Executive Director.
We recognize that the ideal candidate might have unique experiences. A bachelor’s degree is not required for this role. The ideal candidate will have some community college experience themselves and have successfully navigated the system. Someone who understands the community college system, though not having attended themselves, also will be considered. The ideal candidate also will speak a second language.
The Scholar Support Coordinator will spend their ten hours/week reaching out to the scholars, to meet via Zoom or in person at their schools, to see how they are doing and what they need in order to succeed. They will learn about the resources at every school. They will advocate for the scholars. They will meet key people at each of the community colleges in coordination with the Program Director, in order to learn how that school’s system works and what support is available.
The ten hours are flexible and mostly remote. This person would need to join the First Literacy team in the office for a couple of hours on Wednesday mornings when there is a staff meeting, and other in-person meetings.
Compensation is $30/hour. There are no benefits with this position.
If interested in this position, please send a resume as well as a letter that answers each of the following questions:
- Why are you interested in working for First Literacy?
- What about this job attracts you?
- What is your experience with adult learners and with community college?
Please send letter and resume to Terry Witherell, Executive Director, at twitherell@firstliteracy.org.