Adult English Language and Literacy Student Mentor (P/T)

February 17, 2026

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Description

Overview
Adult English Language and Literacy (AELL) is the direct service provider of ESOL and adult literacy instruction for the Library. They use professional teachers to offer free instruction to adult patrons in reading, writing, speaking and listening from a 0 to 8th grade level. Through formal classes in language and literacy, as well as elective offerings such as English conversation and citizenship preparation groups, AELL has taken on the charge to expand ESOL instruction in the Library.

The Student Mentor works as part of the Intake team that welcomes, orients, assesses and formally registers new students into the program. They are responsible for accurate student information collection and data entry. The Student Mentor is also expected to provide administrative support and complete general office duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the St George Hub Manager and Intake Advisor, the Student Mentor will:

Assists in entering statistical data for all ESOL/ABE classes
Assists in tracking demographic information for information sessions
Support a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks, from basic tasks like cutting paper to more involved tasks such as setting up calendars, and producing documents
Provides overall support across all Libraries in the preparation of materials and event setup (computers, video equipment, room arrangement, etc.) for information sessions
Assist in the student intake across the Library, greeting new students, and helping direct them through the registration process by signing them in, seating them for the program, acting as translators (if bi-lingual), and making them feel comfortable within a library setting.
Orients students to using computers, the Internet, and educational software
Enter data into student tracking database (ASISTS)
Administer standardized assessments for language and literacy (after training) TABE and BestPlus
Help students fill out forms and collect the data necessary to complete the Individual Student Record Form (ISRF)
Monitor student attendance at sites by maintaining rosters
Provide office assistance (photocopying, FAXing, organizing supplies, answering phones, scheduling appointments, checking in/out library materials, etc.)

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Experience

High School diploma or its equivalent

Required Skills

Good interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse adult population
Successfully demonstrated ability to give clear and concise instructions to a diverse adult population
Successfully demonstrated computer experience and keyboarding skills
Successfully demonstrated ability to follow directions and work well independently and as a part of a group
Successfully demonstrated reliability and flexibility
Required to travel to other sites for student intake and assessment

Preferred Qualifications

Some college
Bi-lingual (Spanish, French, Chinese, Urdu, Bengali,Arabic, Russian)
Experience training adults in basic computer skills

More...

Please Note: Effective August 2, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager. The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors. The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
Be Resourceful in solving problems
Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Physical Duties

Limited physical effort is required
Light lifting required
Lifting up to 40 lbs. Required
May require travel within NYC

Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Non-Union

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

Schedule

Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-5:00, Saturday 10:00-3:00, evenings as required

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