Business Pathway Instructor
About This Position
The Business Careers Pathway Program was developed to help newly arrived immigrants and refugees overcome obstacles related to finding long-term employment in the US through intensive training, ongoing job counseling and case management to improve job skills and increase earning power. The Business Pathway Instructor will help to expand our course offerings to students who are looking to obtain leadership positions, advance in the current career or explore entrepreneurial pursuits.
This position will be the instructor for the following classes:
- Intro to Office Assistant is a 6 week class that prepares students office work in the US. The existing curriculum includes time management skills, office communication, office equipment, project management as well as English Language learning. There is a strong emphasis on digital literacy skills using Northstar Digital Literacy.
- Professional Leadership Training This 12-week class, offered three times per year, is designed for New Americans who have worked at least 6 months in the United States and want to advance in their careers OR have an advanced degree from their home country and are seeking to establish a professional career in the US.
- Entrepreneurship Class This 8-week class, offered 3-4 times a year, is designed for New Americans who are seeking to start their own business in the US. The existing curriculum includes: business fundamentals, entrepreneurship mindset, business plan development, small business financing, marketing and management.
The Business Pathway Instructor will work with the Employment Navigator and Business Navigator and other outside resources to provide culturally appropriate instruction, resources and guidance to enhance business and academic success.
DEPARTMENT: Business Careers Pathway
REPORTS TO: Business Careers Pathway Program Manager
Salary range: $52,000-$55,000
FLSA Status: 1.0 FTE
Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2025
Former refugees, New Americans and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Instruct and facilitate Intro to Office Assistant, Professional Leadership and Intro to Entrepreneurship classes. There will be a combination of evening and daytime classes, including some weekends, as well as a combination of online and in-person teaching. Total teaching time will be about 18 hours a week.
- Utilize existing curriculum to teach English reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the context of
- Intro to Office Assistant topics: time management, advanced customer service, scheduling and project management
- Professional Leadership topics: goal setting, leadership styles, emotional intelligence, giving feedback, teaching and training fundamentals, presentation skills and digital skills
- Intro to Entrepreneurship topics: business fundamentals, entrepreneurship mindset, business plan development, small business financing, marketing and management
- Team teach with Business Pathway team
- Recommend curriculum changes based on participant and industry feedback
- Assist in the coordination of students obtaining Credit for Prior Learning credits with MN State.
- Assist in recruiting and registering students
- Supervise interns, volunteers & guest speakers who assist with program activities.
- Keep program databases up to date with student data (including but not limited to CRM & SiD).
- Assist Employment & Business Navigator in conducting follow-up calls to students and employers to track job retention, satisfaction, and performance.
- Assist Employment Navigator in developing and maintaining positive employer relationships to create employment, internship, and networking opportunities for program participants
- Assist in conducting orientation sessions before class start dates.
- Attend all staff & team meetings, professional development, and other duties as assigned.
Experience and Qualifications
- Commitment to the International Institute of Minnesota’s mission and vision.
- 3+ years of experience in secondary or adult education.
- Has a B.A. or M.A. in Adult Education or General Education or other related field.
- 1+ years of experience working with New American women and men, preferred.
- Experienced in distance teaching over the Zoom platform. (Instruction will be delivered online and in-person)
- Required experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Business, marketing or management
- Career Coaching experience
- Teaching digital literacy skills, especially Microsoft Office
- Able to use culturally appropriate and trauma-informed practices in classroom and case management.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Independent, organized, creative, a self-starter, ability to multi-task
- Enthusiastic, flexible, professional, responsible, and able to take initiative
- Comfortable using computer functions, including Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Suite programs
- Preferred fluency in one or more of the following languages preferred: Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrinya.
- Applicants with a personal connection to the immigrant experience are encouraged to apply.
Additional Requirements
International Institute of Minnesota values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, New Americans apply. The Institute 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.
- Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
- Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job duties.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About Us
The International Institute of Minnesota is a dynamic organization that provides services to maximize the talents and opportunities New Americans bring to our state. The Institute assists low income New Americans in their transition to a new homeland by providing comprehensive services for successful integration. The Institute serves more than 4,000 New Americans annually with new arrival social services to employment placement and advancement through to U.S. Citizenship attainment. Programs are divided into three primary areas: Refugee Services, Education and Employment Training Services, and Immigration Services. The Institute also provides advocacy for policy reforms and supports systems change that improve opportunities for New Americans to move their lives forward.
Job Application: Business Pathway Instructor
"*" indicates required fields
Contact Us
Please call or email us if you have a question or need help with your employment application.
Dana Onato-Pannkuk
Human Resources Generalist
(651) 377-8614
donato-pannkuk@iimn.org