Education Intern

Job Description

Job Description

CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national organization that creates change with its power building model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. CASA’s mission to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The Education Department supports CASA’s multi-generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. Across its footprint, CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and immigrant families. Additionally, the Education Department oversees CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within the organization. The department also supports CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications.

Mi Espacio is an afterschool program that promotes successful high school graduation, leadership development, post-secondary enrollment and career readiness for first and second generation immigrant youth. Students grades ninth through twelve are eligible for enrollment. The program meets twice a week at International High School @ Langley Park and High Pointe High School and includes the following components: workshops pertaining to college and career readiness, financial literacy and health; enrichment activities such as sports, art, field trips and community service opportunities; leadership development and opportunities for civic engagement.

The Education Department’s Life Skills ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program uses the teaching methodology of Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences that they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student’s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment. The classes also provide students with the linguistic skills and systems understanding needed to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Education Intern will work directly with CASA’s Youth Programs Coordinator and CASA’s ESOL Program Coordinators. Approximately 75% of service will be in support of CASA’s Mi Espacio Program and approximately 25% of service will be in support of CASA’s ESOL Program during quarterly student enrollment periods.

• Assist the Youth Program’s Coordinator in the development and facilitation of weekly workshops on topics including career readiness, post-secondary enrollment, leadership development, and grassroots organizing
• Utilize popular education techniques to create a fun, dynamic, and culturally responsive learning environment that promotes teamwork and aids students in developing their leadership skills
• Provide mentorship that supports students’ academic and professional success
• Maintain communication with and follow directions from program staff to ensure that students are receiving high quality mentorship of consistent tone and style
• Support the mission of CASA and encourage students to actively participate in community events that promote civic engagement and social justice
• Conduct outreach calls, text messages and emails in Spanish (mostly) and English to potential ESOL students to provide a program overview and information regarding upcoming registrations
• Assist with ESOL staff with student registration events
• Preserve the confidentiality of all CASA youth and CASA member information
• Potential for other duties to be performed as the occasion and necessity arises

Interested candidates should email their cover letter and resume to Shannon Wilk, Director of Education, at swilk@wearecasa.org.

PREFERRED SKILLS SET:

• Proficiency in Spanish and English required
• High comfort level with basic computer programs, including Google Suites; willingness to learn other computer skills and applications as needed
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Extremely detail oriented and organized
• Respectful of all cultures and comfortable working in a multicultural environment
• Committed to progressive social change and supportive of CASA’s mission

BENEFITS OF POSITION:

• An opportunity to mentor youth in the community
• Exposure to popular education and curriculum development
• Hands-on experience in grassroots community organizing and social justice initiatives
• Opportunity to practice written and spoken Spanish in a professional environment while interacting with native speakers
• Experience working in a nationally recognized non­profit organization that promotes and advances the self-determined needs of the Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The education intern must meet physical demands by CASA. CASA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with different disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the intern is regularly required to sit, stand and walk. The intern may be required to lift up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the intern is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: This position is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status or national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 01 February 2022, requiring COVID‑19 Booster vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID 19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.