Adult English Language and Literacy Student Mentor – Harlem Library

Adult English Language and Literacy (AELL) is the direct service provider of ESOL and adult literacy instruction for the Library. They use professional teachers to offer free instruction to adult patrons in reading, writing, speaking and listening from a 0 to 8th grade level. Through formal classes in language and literacy, as well as elective offerings such as English conversation and citizenship preparation groups, AELL has taken on the charge to expand ESOL instruction in the Library.

The Student Mentor works as part of the Intake team that welcomes, orients, assesses and formally registers new students into the program. They are responsible for accurate student information collection and data entry. The Student Mentor is also expected to provide administrative support and complete general office duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to either the Harlem Hub Manager or Intake Advisor, the Student Mentor will:

Assists in entering statistical data for all ESOL/ABE classes

Assists in tracking demographic information for information sessions

Support a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks, from basic tasks like cutting paper to more involved tasks such as setting up calendars, and producing documents

Provides overall support across all Libraries in the preparation of materials and event setup (computers, video equipment, room arrangement, etc.) for information sessions

Assist in the student intake across the Library, greeting new students, and helping direct them through the registration process by signing them in, seating them for the program, acting as translators (if bi-lingual), and making them feel comfortable within a library setting.

Orients students to using computers, the Internet, and educational software

Enter data into student tracking database (ASISTS)

Administer standardized assessments for language and literacy (after training) TABE and BestPlus

Help students fill out forms and collect the data necessary to complete the Individual Student Record Form (ISRF)

Monitor student attendance at sites by maintaining rosters

Provide office assistance (photocopying, FAXing, organizing supplies, answering phones, scheduling appointments, checking in/out library materials, etc.)

Skills Knowledge & Expertise

High School diploma or its equivalent

Current enrollment in a college-level teacher education program or experience as a volunteer adult literacy tutor preferred

Good interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse adult population

Successfully demonstrated ability to give clear and concise instructions to a diverse adult population

Successfully demonstrated computer experience and keyboarding skills

Successfully demonstrated ability to follow directions and work well independently and as a part of a group

Successfully demonstrated reliability and flexibility

Required to travel to other sites for student intake and assessment

Preferred Qualifications

Some college

Bi-lingual (Spanish, French, Chinese, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Russian)

Experience training adults in basic computer skills

More

Absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy should contact [email protected] for instructions on how to submit the required information for the evaluation of their exemption request.

Core Values

Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues

Be Resourceful in solving problems

Be Curious in all aspects of your work

Physical Duties

Limited physical effort is required

Light lifting required

Lifting up to 40 lbs. Required

May require travel within NYC

Hours

19 Hours per week/ some evenings and weekends required

Each of the following schedules has one vacancy:
Monday or Saturday 9:30-2:30; Tuesday and Thursday 11-7

Monday and Wednesday 11-7, Tuesday or Saturday 9:30-2:30

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.