Academic Services Manager (Advance and Earn)

Program Description: The Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) is a non-profit, multi-service organization focusing primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Position Summary: The Isaacs Center is seeking a highly motivated candidate to serve as the Manager of Academic Services within the Education and Workforce Development division. Reporting to the Director of Advance and Earn is primarily responsible for oversight and leadership of academic services for young adults (17–24 years of age) who are disconnected from traditional learning environments and are unemployed or underemployed. Through the provision of literacy and numeracy classes, pre-high school equivalency and high school equivalency preparation, and college readiness supports, participants will enter or re-enter the workforce and pursue educational opportunities that boost their hourly wage earnings and put them on a sustainable career path.

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, 11am-7pm

Salary Range: $64,350 - $70,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account. 

Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties

1.) Program Oversight and Leadership (45%)

• Provide oversight and leadership for Pre-High, High School Equivalency, and college readiness/placement/transition programs for participants.

• Coordinate recruitment, enrollment, assessment, testing, and retention efforts with the academic support team staff.

• Use visual and digital instruction and data platforms to plan, design, and implement initiatives, action plans, and goals in collaboration with instructional staff, career development teams, and supportive services.

• Supervise, observe, and motivate academic staff members (teachers and instructors).

• Recruit, train, and evaluate staff, interns, and volunteers to ensure knowledge of data management systems such as Salesforce and DYCD Connect within the program.

• Create a supportive, inclusive, and teamwork-oriented climate and culture to enhance student achievement and staff engagement.

• Promote best practices in youth development, differentiated visual and digital instruction, crisis intervention, and classroom behavior management.

• Collaborate with instructional staff and other stakeholders to address challenges and enhance program effectiveness through data analysis processes.

2.) Participant Advising and Support (30%)

In collaboration with the instructional team:

• Meet individually with participants weekly to review their goals, program progress, and post-secondary plans.

• Assess students’ academic levels and readiness for GED testing through diagnostic tools, and develop individualized learning plans leading to GED attainment.

• Provide motivation, encouragement, and strategies to overcome barriers to success both internally and externally.

• Offer guidance on study habits, time management, tutoring support services, educational workshops, and online materials to address specific challenges, including test-taking techniques and strategies.

• Guide and coach students through GED exam registration and TABE testin