About Opportunity College

Opportunity College exists to accelerate students into purpose-filled lives that lead to economic freedom. In partnership with public high schools, career pathway programs, and innovative universities, Opportunity College is designing affordable, career-connected, student-centered postsecondary programs to enhance upward mobility for first-generation students from lower-income backgrounds. Our programs seek to provide recent high school graduates with a guided stackable credentials pathway to both college degrees and high-paying, in-demand jobs. We use an active online synchronous learning approach with holistic student support coaching to maximize sense of belonging and outcomes for our students.

Position Summary

We are seeking a talented Teaching Assistant to assist with instruction of our Career Jumpstart Fellowship (Junior Web Developer cohorts). The Teaching Assistant will work closely with the Director of Technology Programs, who will be the lead instructor, to ensure students master content, receive timely feedback/grading, and feel well-supported in the program.

About you: You are knowledgeable about industry trends and able to share your own personal insight with students. You love to inspire diverse groups of learners and genuinely want to help groups of learners acquire technical skills, behavioral skills, mindsets, and employment coaching that will make them successful early career professionals in the tech sector.

Position Type

The Teaching Assistant will be supporting a Summer Intensive cohort (calendar) and a Part-time cohort (calendar). The schedule has been designed to suit the needs of students who may be in school and/or working. Therefore, there are some evening (ET) and Saturday commitments, which you will know about far in advance.

This is an hourly, remote position, with the following approximate time commitment:

• May 2023 - 10-20 hours per week (evenings/weekends only)
• June - September 2023 - 40 hours per week
• October - December 2023 - 10-20 hours per week (evenings/weekends only)

You would work with the Director of Technology Programs to set a work schedule that is no more than 40 hours per week at peak times.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Director of Technology Programs with instructional duties:
• Prepare for (e.g., complete online pre-work, modify lesson plans, prepare materials) and support synchronous course meetings (online classes)
• Hold office hours for students
• Periodically co-lead lessons or parts of lessons and facilitate breakout groups in collaboration with the Director of Technology Programs
• Grade students' assessments and assignments within one week of their due date and ensure that all scores and comments are recorded in the learning management system
• Support student success:
• Explain complex topics in a non-technical way
• Track student engagement during class and on assignments; use data-driven approach to plan and implement strategies (in partnership with the Instructor) that improve engagement and ensure the material is accessible to all students
• Support students with in-the-moment tech support (e.g., troubleshooting Zoom or Canvas) to ensure they can engage in class
• Respond to emails from students and colleagues within one business day
• Support students' job searches:
• Working in partnership with the Student Success Coach, support students to explore various job roles and career paths
• Source and share (in student LinkedIn and Slack Channel) job search resources and job descriptions for relevant full-time, internship, and apprenticeship positions
• Participate in improving the course:
• Recommend improvements to existing course materials as necessary to realize continuous improvements to student outcomes
• Debrief instructional strengths and growth areas from session observations as well as participate in periodic course assessment and evaluation exercises
• Participate in faculty learning communities where instructional teams teaching sections of the same course come together to improve the curriculum, enhance program content, evaluate student learning outcomes, and learn new effective and engaging instructional techniques

Values, Skills & Experiences

Foremost, you must share the OC team's values and commitment to working together to improve student growth and achievement through phenomenal instruction grounded in culturally responsive teaching. Additionally, for this position, we're looking for candidates with the following skills and experience:

• 1-2 year industry experience and/or educational experience in Web Development/Front End Development/Full Stack Web Development or Computer Science.
• Experience with React.js and SASS/SCSS preferred.
• At least one year of professional experience working with students from low income households or who are first-in-their family to go to college to promote student success or navigate online educational systems (e.g., as a high school teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, first year experience college advisor, near-peer counselor, career coach, etc.)
• Experience building safe and trusting connections with 18–24 year old students while also holding them to high expectations with empathy and support
• Experience with grading student work
• Experience with Google Drive and ability to quickly become fluent in tools for remote work and online instruction
• Strong interpersonal skills including clear and effective communication skills, intercultural competence, and the ability to foster teamwork and collaborative relationships
• Strong intrapersonal skills including conscientiousness, professionalism, growth mindset, and the ability to problem solve, learn quickly, adapt flexibility, and work with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated expertise at making course content accessible, relevant, and actionable including communicating complex processes and information virtually both one-on-one and in affirming group settings

Opportunity College is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community, culture, and practices. We recognize that underrepresented groups such as women and BIPOC may be less likely to apply to a role if they don't meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We are committed to continual growth and we encourage you to apply if you meet a majority of the qualifications and this role is aligned with your career trajectory and interests.

Vaccination Requirement

All full-time employees, part-time employees, and consultants without an approved medical or sincerely held religious belief exemption are required to be vaccinated regardless of their work location.

Compensation

The compensation for this position is $20-28 per hour, commensurate with experience. Opportunity College is incubating as a program of Array Education, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Note: we are a new program and not yet an accredited institution of higher education. The employee will be eligible for all benefits available to employees of Array Education.

Array Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.