Assistant Director, Vassar After School Team (VAST) & VELLOP (Vassar English Language Learners

Assistant Director, Vassar Education Collaboration

The Office of Community-Engaged Learning (OCEL) aims to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with community organizations and schools in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, and the greater Hudson Valley. By centering reciprocal partnerships, OCEL provides students with opportunities to learn alongside community partners and connect academic work to real-world issues.

One of OCEL's core initiatives is the Vassar Education Collaboration (VEC), which strengthens school-based partnerships between Vassar College and the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD). The VEC includes three programs designed to expand educational opportunity and access for K12 students: Exploring College (EC), the Vassar After School Team (VAST), and the Vassar English Language Learners Outreach Program (VELLOP). VAST is a middle school after-school educational and enrichment program that fosters academic support, belonging, and leadership development for both participating scholars and Vassar student mentors. VELLOP is a school-based initiative that advances language access and educational equity for multilingual students in partnership with PCSD.

Working closely with the Director of Community-Engaged Learning, the Assistant Director provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for VAST and VELLOP. This role is responsible for building a strong and supportive learning community among youth participants and student mentors; supervising and mentoring Vassar student leaders; developing systems and structures that ensure program quality and accountability; and cultivating strong relationships with families, teachers, school administrators, and other K-12 serving community organizations. The Assistant Director ensures that both programs reflect OCEL's commitments to educational equity, language justice, and reciprocal community engagement.

This is a two-year grant-funded position with the possibility of extension pending funding, with a target start date of August 2026. 11 months paid over 12 months (no July work).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of VAST and VELLOP programming
• Develop, support, and refine lesson planning and curricular materials for afterschool and in school sessions
• Ensure programmatic coherence with NYS curriculum and responsiveness to teacher-identified needs
• Align both programs with OCEL's justice-centered, community-engaged learning framework and Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) priorities
• Develop and oversee short- and long-term program goals, timelines, and outcomes
• Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor Vassar student mentors and tutors
• Provide leadership and ongoing coaching to support mentors' personal, academic, and professional growth
• Facilitate reflective practice and leadership development opportunities for student mentors
• Foster a collaborative mentor team culture grounded in communication, accountability, and shared purpose
• Ensure all mentors are informed, prepared, and aligned around program expectations and goals
• Create and maintain effective systems, structures, and routines that support smooth program implementation
• Manage after-school and in-school learning environments to ensure safety, engagement, and positive youth development
• Oversee attendance, transportation, scheduling, and communication processes
• Follow through consistently on operational details and program commitments
• Coordinate the implementation of the Vassar After School Team (VAST) in collaboration with Poughkeepsie Middle School staff
• Support middle school student recruitment and enrollment in collaboration with teachers, staff, and families
• Recruit, train, and support Vassar student mentors through Community-Engaged Learning (#290), work-study, and volunteer pathways
• Design and lead mentor training sessions and lesson planning structures for academic and enrichment activities
• Serve as an onsite coordinator for the after-school program, supporting student safety, mentor engagement, and adherence to PCSD policies
• Drive and coordinate transportation for mentors and scholars traveling to and from program sites as needed
• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the Vassar English Language Learners Outreach Program (VELLOP) in partnership with PCSD
• Serve as the primary liaison to PCSD administrators, ELL coordinators, classroom teachers, and families involved in VELLOP
• Collaborate with teachers to identify classroom needs and align tutoring supports with instructional goals, particularly in classrooms without dedicated ELL staff
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support Vassar student tutors, including bilingual and Spanish-speaking mentors
• Design and implement training that prepares tutors to work effectively in linguistically diverse classrooms using asset-based and inclusive pedagogies
• Build and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with PCSD administrators, teachers, staff, and families
• Collaborate with families to support student participation, communication, and success
• Serve as a primary liaison between Vassar College, PCSD, and community organizations supporting K-12 public school students
• Center reciprocity, transparency, and shared decision-making in all partnership work
• Support Exploring College Coordinator to create aligned academic-year and summer educational programming
• Supervise work-study students, interns, and volunteers, by providing coaching, feedback, and professional development
• Conduct CEL advising appointments with students, supporting them in identifying community-engaged learning placements aligned with their academic goals, values, and OCEL action area interests
• Design and implement systems to assess academic, socio-emotional, and leadership outcomes
• Use qualitative and quantitative data to inform continuous improvement
• Track participation, outcomes, and partnership feedback
• Contribute to grant reporting, compliance, and documentation

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in program leadership, partnership development, and community-based educational initiatives.
• Strong experience in lesson planning, facilitation, curriculum design, and instructional support.
• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with community organizations, school districts, educators, families, youth, and higher education stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license for at least 2 years.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, educational equity, inclusive pedagogy, and language justice.
• Experience working with multilingual learners, or immigrant communities.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and supervisory skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and professionalism.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with grant writing, reporting, fundraising support, or resource development.
• Bilingual education.

Compensation: The compensation for this position is $62,353.20 - $63,700 (USD) per year.

When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please submit your application by July 23rd. To complete your application, you must attach both your resume and a cover letter.