Literacy Advisor

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st-century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. BPL provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions the joy of a good book.

The Literacy Advisor at the New Lots Adult Learning Center will provide direct instruction, support for volunteers and instructional staff, academic advisement, career coaching, and case management services to motivate students for all reading levels to promote self-efficacy and life-long learning. The Literacy advisor will also organize, develop, and facilitate instructional programming and workplace development activities that integrate learning platforms and educational technologies to engage with students.

The Literacy Advisor will facilitate student transitions from lower level to higher education maintaining accurate referral information and coordinating services with adult education providers, workforce systems, and job training programs among others. The Literacy Advisor will collaborate with Workforce 1 and other networks and community-based organizations to help improve BPL partnerships and create easily accessible resources and referral systems to help students overcome any barriers preventing them from participating or achieving their goals. The Literacy Advisor will work collaboratively with the site manager, office associate and other program/departmental staff to ensure the success of Adult Learning Center programming and other programs within the department.

The Literacy Advisor will be second-in-charge of the Adult Learning Center, and a liaison to the floating Literacy Advisor and other education programs within the department. This position will act as a resource to the other program volunteers and BPL Adult Learning program staff in the delivery of adult basic education programming. This position reports to the Adult Learning Center Site Supervisor.

• Implement and communicate library program policies and procedures
• Provide stellar customer service; assist with the day to day which includes assisting walk-ins, triaging multi-phone line, tech support; be able to collaborate with a team to ensure program standards are being met in a timely manner
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge base in adult learning (reading levels K-12)
• Serve as the lead education support staff for the Adult Learning Center (model, monitor, serve as an assessor/advisor, and lead instruction)
• Provide individual and group advisement focused on educational and career planning, goal setting, barriers to persistence and achievement for students to stay on track
• Provide training, support, and guidance to volunteers in key teaching and learning strategies, advisement, and assessment
• Address instructional needs for staff to facilitate programming and workplace development activities that utilize technology, Google Classroom, Zoom, and learning management systems
• Maintain accurate class observations, student case notes/progress in Salesforce database by required deadlines
• Observe and confer with volunteers through group/classroom observations and feedback
• Facilitate groups/classes and assist with maintaining program curriculum
• Coordinate, plan, and/or facilitate informational workshops/special programming for students (next steps, social services, math/writing workshops, etc.)
• Administer assessment tools (TABE/GED Readiness) and analyze to develop instructional plans
• Assist with outreach, recruitment, assessment, orientation, and placements of students
• Assist with training volunteers and instructional staff by introducing instructional strategies, interventions; monitor and support instruction delivered by volunteers
• Participate in ongoing professional development and stay abreast of adult learning best practices, workforce development and adult basic education
• Complete other duties as necessary especially in the absence of the site manager
• BA Degree in Education or related field, MA a plus
• 1-2 years’ experience in Adult Education; experience teaching ABE/HSE, workplace literacy and digital literacy
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft, TABE, Salesforce, Google Suite, Google Classroom and Zoom
• Knowledge of current ABE/HSE theory and practice; experience with literacy and HSE pathways are a plus; familiarity with Common Core Standards and CUNY Career Kits/HSE Curriculum preferred
• Experience in successful academic advisement, career development, guidance, and counseling
• Experience developing curricula for lower level and HSE level integrating technology
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team and familiar with the assigned location of the Adult Learning Center community
  
  
  

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work varied schedule, including evenings and Saturday. Schedule typically includes working two evenings per week and two Saturdays per month; schedule is determined by the needs of the program
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
  
  
  

Work Schedule

Mon/Wed/Fri 915AM-500PM

Tues/Thurs 1245PM-800PM

Sat. 945PM-215PM

• Travel to various branches and partner locations regularly; work from other locations as assigned.
  
  
  

This is a Union position with a salary for the position is $55,260.00.