About Project Hope Boston

For over 40 years, Project HOPE Boston, Inc. (PHB) has been a leader in advancing housing stability and economic mobility for families in Roxbury and North Dorchester. Founded in 1981 by the Little Sisters of the Assumption in response to the family homelessness crisis, PHB has grown from a family shelter into a comprehensive community hub offering job training, adult education, housing counseling, and empowerment programs.

Located on Dudley Street in Boston’s first LEED Silver-certified building, PHB combines innovation with a deep commitment to social equity, addressing the Social Determinants of Health to drive transformative change. With programs rooted in racial equity and a steadfast dedication to the community, PHB continues to open doors of opportunity for families across Boston.

Position Summary

The Student Partner – ESOL provides individualized case management and student-success support to adult learners enrolled in Project HOPE Boston’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. As a member of the Workforce Development & Education team, the Student Partner helps students identify and overcome the barriers that stand between them and their educational, career, and personal goals — connecting them to the internal programs and external community resources they need to enroll, persist, and succeed.

The Student Partner works closely with instructors and program staff, maintains accurate and confidential documentation of services and outcomes, and contributes to a welcoming, culturally responsive learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment, Intake & Barrier Identification

•     Partner with the Recruitment and Enrollment Coordinator to identify incoming and prospective students who face barriers to attending or completing class.

•     Meet with students to understand their circumstances and goals, and work with them to address barriers to participation — such as childcare, transportation, scheduling, and technology access — before and during enrollment.

Case Management & Student Support

•     Provide individualized, goal-oriented case management to students throughout their time in the program, meeting regularly to review progress and adjust support plans as needs change.

•     Assist students in applying for and maintaining public benefits, including follow-up with the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).

•     Refer and connect students to internal programs and external community partners for secure housing, affordable medical and behavioral health care, mental health services, low-cost legal services, and other support, providing warm hand-offs and navigation assistance where possible.

Attendance & Persistence

•     Follow up with students after their first day of class and collaborate with Education Department staff to resolve early issues.

•     Monitor weekly attendance, reach out promptly to students with unexcused absences, and provide support to re-engage students at risk of disengaging from the program.

Documentation, Data & Follow-Up

•     Maintain detailed, accurate, and confidential case notes, and update student data in agency and external funder databases on schedule.

•     Conduct student follow-up at 30 days and in the second and fourth quarters after a student exits the program, and document outcomes for reporting purposes.

Team Participation

•     Serve as an active member of the Workforce Development & Education team, attending regular team and program meetings and participating in ongoing professional development.

•     Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive program environment, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

•     Strong commitment to Project HOPE Boston’s mission, values, and dedication to racial equity.

•     High school diploma or equivalent (HiSET/GED).

•     At least one year of experience working with culturally diverse, low-income, immigrant, and/or housing-insecure individuals.

•     Excellent organizational, documentation, and data-management skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, confidential records.

•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

•     Self-starter who is resourceful, collaborative, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

•     Demonstrated cultural responsiveness and sensitivity in working with multicultural populations.

Preferred

•     Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, education, or a related field.

•     Case management experience, ideally in an adult education, workforce development, or social services setting.

•     Familiarity with public benefits systems (e.g., DTA) and community resources across Greater Boston.

•     Experience with student data and database systems (e.g., ETO, Salesforce, or comparable funder reporting platforms).

•     Bilingual and/or bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Systems & Equipment

•     Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams

•     Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database

•     Salesforce CRM

•     External funder reporting systems, as applicable

•     Zoom and other video-conferencing platforms

•     General office equipment: computer, phone, copier

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

•     Primarily an in-person role based at PHB’s Dudley Street location, with occasional community-based meetings and partner-site visits as needed.

•     Occasional availability outside standard business hours for program events and student needs.

•     Regularly required to sit, stand, and move about the office and program spaces; ability to lift items up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Project HOPE Boston, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Consistent with applicable law, PHB does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.