Business Pathway Instructor

Organization Description

The International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) is a fast-paced, innovative organization with talented staff who are mission driven and support one another in their work. Since 1974 IIMN has resettled 25,000 refugees in the Twin Cities and remains one of the largest sponsors of refugees statewide. Its immigration and citizenship services helped nearly 15,000 New Americans achieve U.S. citizenship since 2001.

From 2012 to 2018, IIMN experienced exponential growth, establishing the organization as an expert in education and workforce development for immigrant and refugee communities. With more than 21 million refugees worldwide waiting to begin new lives, and an increasing workforce shortage in Minnesota, IIMN’s programs continue to be in demand and important abroad and in Minnesota.

Position Summary

The Business Careers Pathway Instructor delivers workforce training that prepares New Americans for professional and administrative careers in the United States. Through classroom instruction, career readiness training, digital literacy education, and participant support, the Instructor equips students with the skills needed to secure employment, advance in their careers, and pursue leadership opportunities.

The Instructor leads two primary training programs: Intro to Office Assistant and Professional Leadership Training (PLT). Working closely with the Employment Navigator, employer partners, and community stakeholders, the Instructor ensures curriculum remains responsive to labor market demand and participant needs. The Business Careers Pathway Instructor plays a critical role in helping immigrants and refugees build professional skills, increase earnings, and achieve long-term economic mobility.

Position Duties: Instruction and Curriculum Delivery

• • Instruct and facilitate Intro to Office Assistant and Professional Leadership Training (PLT) classes through a combination of daytime and evening schedules, delivered both in-person and online. Total instructional time is approximately 18 hours per week.
• • Utilize and adapt existing curriculum to teach English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills within the context of workplace success and career advancement.
• • Teach Intro to Office Assistant topics, including time management, workplace communication, customer service, scheduling, project management, and digital literacy.
• • Teach Professional Leadership Training topics, including goal setting, leadership styles, emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback, training and facilitation skills, presentation skills, and digital literacy.
• • Collaborate with Business Careers Pathway team members to co-teach classes and ensure a high-quality learning experience.
• • Evaluate participant outcomes and recommend curriculum enhancements based on participant feedback, employer input, and labor market trends.

Participant Recruitment and Support: • Assist with participant recruitment, registration, orientation, and retention efforts.

• • Support participant success by providing guidance, resources, and referrals throughout training.
• • Facilitate graduation ceremonies and other participant recognition events.

Employer and Community Engagement

• • Collaborate with the Employment Navigator to develop and maintain employer partnerships that create employment, internship, mentorship, and networking opportunities for participants.
• • Assist in conducting participant and employer follow-up activities to track employment outcomes, job retention, satisfaction, and performance.
• • Plan and implement professional networking events and employer engagement activities.

Program Administration and Data Management

• • Maintain accurate and timely participant records in program databases, including CRM and SiD systems.
• • Supervise interns, volunteers, and guest speakers who support program activities.
• • Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, professional development activities, and continuous improvement efforts.
• • Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and organizational goals.

Job Qualifications: Required Qualifications

• • Commitment to the mission and vision of the International Institute of Minnesota.
• • Bachelor's degree in Adult Education, Education, Workforce Development, Business, Human Resources, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• • Three or more years of experience teaching in adult education, workforce development, secondary education, or a related setting.
• • Experience delivering instruction in both virtual and in-person learning environments, including proficiency with Zoom.

• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:

• o Career coaching and career readiness instruction o Digital literacy training, including Microsoft Office applications o Professional skills, leadership development, or workforce preparation

• • Ability to utilize culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices in instructional and participant support settings.
• • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• • Ability to work independently, take initiative, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• • Professional, dependable, adaptable, and committed to participant success.
• • Proficiency with Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other workplace technology tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• • One or more years of experience working with immigrants, refugees, English language learners, or other diverse adult learner populations.
• • Knowledge of workforce development, career pathways, or adult learning best practices.
• • Experience teaching digital literacy, business skills, leadership development, or workplace communication.
• • Fluency in one or more languages commonly spoken by IIMN participants, including Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili, or Tigrinya.
• • Applicants with lived experience as immigrants, refugees, or members of immigrant communities are encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands: - Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity

• - Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands
• - Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying

EEO Statement

International Institute of Minnesota values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, New Americans to apply. IIMN is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

To Apply

Visit our website: www.iimn.org/careers/. No phone calls or walk-ins please. Position open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they receive. References will be required at the time of the final interview.