Integrated GED and Vocational Certification Support Instructor

CAREER DETAILS:

CAREER TITLE: Integrated GED and Vocational Certification Support Instructor

LOCATION:   AYW Operating Site, Taylor, TX

DIVISION: YouthBuild

DEPARTMENT: Education and Training

POSITION REPORTS TO: Program Director

POSITION SUPPORTS: YouthBuild and AmeriCorps participants

POSITION SUPERVISES: N/A

CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Integrated GED and Vocational Certification Support Instructor provides academic instruction, GED preparation, digital literacy, workforce readiness, and vocational certification support to program participants. The position delivers applied instruction that connects academic skills with workplace expectations, technology, and industry-aligned competencies. Working with program and career pathway staff, the Instructor monitors participant progress, provides individualized learning support, and prepares participants for credential attainment, post-secondary education, training, and employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and basic tasks.
Under the direction of the Program Director, the Integrated GED and Vocational Certification Support Instructor will perform the following functions:

- Academic Instruction and GED Preparation

Develop and deliver instruction in foundational academic skills, adult basic education, GED preparation, and related academic competencies.

- Provide instruction through whole-group lessons, small-group activities, individualized tutoring, applied learning, and digital learning platforms.

- Develop lesson plans and learning activities that connect academic concepts to workplace applications, vocational training, and participant career goals.

- Assess participant learning needs and provide targeted instruction, tutoring, remediation, or enrichment based on individual progress.

- Use appropriate instructional strategies and assessment methods to support academic skill gains, GED attainment, and continued educational progress.

- Maintain instructional materials, lesson plans, assessments, and other academic documentation required by the program.

- Digital Literacy, Workforce Readiness, and Certification Support

Deliver digital-literacy instruction using commonly used workplace technology, productivity tools, communication platforms, and online systems.

- Integrate workplace communication, professionalism, problem-solving, organization, and other workforce-readiness skills into instructional activities.

- Support participants in completing applicable vocational, administrative, digital, or industry-recognized certification preparation.

- Develop applied learning activities and simulated workplace experiences that reinforce professional expectations and practical job skills.

- Assist participants with professional portfolios, résumés, employment-related documents, and other materials that support post-secondary or career transition.

- Coordinate with Career Pathways and vocational staff to align instructional activities with participant career goals, certification opportunities, and regional workforce needs.

- Participant Learning, Engagement, and Development

Maintain a structured, professional, and participant-centered learning environment that supports academic progress and workforce preparation.

- Provide individualized coaching and academic support to strengthen study habits, learning strategies, persistence, and progress toward participant goals.

- Monitor participant engagement and identify learning barriers that may interfere with academic progress, credential attainment, or program completion.

- Coordinate with appropriate program and Participant Services staff when barriers require additional resources, intervention, or support outside the instructional role.

- Use appropriate conflict-resolution and restorative practices to address classroom concerns and reinforce program and learning expectations.

- Serve as a professional mentor while maintaining appropriate instructional and professional boundaries.

- Support participant re-engagement and academic recovery efforts when participants fall behind or experience interruptions in learning.

- Participant Progress, Documentation, and Reporting

Track and maintain accurate participant attendance, instructional hours, assessments, academic progress, milestones, credential preparation, and credential attainment in approved systems.

- Maintain complete, timely, and accurate instructional records and participant documentation in accordance with program, grant, and organizational requirements.

- Monitor participant progress toward academic and certification goals and communicate relevant progress, concerns, and support needs to appropriate program staff.

- Provide instructional and participant-progress information needed for grant reporting, performance reporting, monitoring, audits, and internal program review.

- Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable participant records and information-sharing requirements.

- Program Collaboration and Operations

Collaborate with vocational instructors, Participant Services, Career Pathways, recruitment and enrollment staff, and other program team members to support participant engagement, retention, completion, and transition.

- Participate in participant planning, academic progress, transition, and multidisciplinary meetings as appropriate.

- Assist with participant orientation, academic onboarding, testing coordination, and other instructional components of recruitment and enrollment as assigned.

- Coordinate and support volunteer tutors, guest speakers, instructional partners, or other supplemental learning resources as assigned.

- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, professional development, participant activities, National Service Days, and other organizational or program events.

- Maintain required administrative documentation and complete assigned organizational paperwork within established timelines.

- Perform other duties as assigned in support of participant learning, program operations, and organizational priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Required

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Adult Education, Workforce Development, Career and Technical Education, Business, Communications, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

- Two years of related experience in instruction, adult education, workforce development, tutoring, vocational education, or a related setting.

- Experience developing and delivering instruction to youth or young adults, including individuals who may face barriers to academic achievement, credential attainment, or employment.

- Experience tracking participant progress, maintaining records, and working within established program or reporting requirements.

Preferred
EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION / EXPERIENCE

- Experience providing GED, adult basic education, workforce-readiness, digital-literacy, or career and technical education instruction.

- Experience supporting industry-recognized credential or certification preparation.

- Experience working in YouthBuild, AmeriCorps, workforce development, nonprofit, education, or other grant-funded programming.

- Relevant teaching, adult education, workforce development, or industry-recognized certification.

- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

- CPR/First Aid Instructor certification.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE

- Knowledge of adult education, GED preparation, academic skill development, digital literacy, and workforce-readiness instruction.

- Knowledge of instructional planning, lesson development, assessment, individualized learning support, and participant progress monitoring.

- Understanding of vocational education, industry-recognized credentials, workplace expectations, and post-secondary transition.

- Familiarity with barriers that may affect participant learning, engagement, persistence, and credential attainment.

- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, digital learning platforms, databases, shared drives, and participant-tracking systems.

SKILLS

- Strong instructional, tutoring, facilitation, and classroom-management skills.

- Ability to develop and adapt lesson plans and instructional activities based on participant learning needs.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Strong organization, planning, documentation, and time-management skills.

- Effective coaching, mentoring, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

- Ability to assess participant progress and translate assessment results into appropriate instructional support.

- Ability to integrate academic instruction with practical workplace and vocational applications.

ABILITIES

- Build professional relationships with participants while maintaining appropriate instructional boundaries.

- Communicate academic concepts and instructions clearly in individual and group settings.

- Adapt instructional methods to different learning needs, skill levels, and learning environments.

- Maintain a structured and productive learning environment.

- Exercise sound judgment and remain composed when addressing participant or classroom concerns.

- Manage multiple instructional priorities, participant needs, documentation requirements, and deadlines.

- Work independently and collaboratively while remaining aligned with program requirements and supervisory direction.

- Maintain confidentiality and accurate participant records.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

- HEARING: Ability to hear and understand conversations and receive ordinary information.

- TALKING: Ability to communicate clearly with participants, staff, partners, and other stakeholders and provide instruction in individual and group settings.

- VISION: Ability to review instructional materials, participant work, assessments, records, presentations, and electronic systems.

- REPETITIVE MOTIONS: Frequent use of hands, wrists, and fingers for typing, writing, instructional activities, data entry, and standard office equipment.

- PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Sedentary to light work with occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or moving of instructional materials, supplies, or equipment up to 25 pounds.

- EXTENT FLEXIBILITY: Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stretch, reach, and move throughout classroom, office, training, and program environments.

- VEHICLE: May operate a personal or AYW vehicle when assigned and authorized.

- EQUIPMENT INTERACTION: Use of computers, audiovisual equipment, printers, scanners, digital-learning technology, shared drives, participant-data systems, and standard office equipment.

WORKING MODEL AND CONDITIONS

- ENVIRONMENT: In-person and onsite with regular classroom, participant-facing, and program responsibilities.

- INDOORS: Environmentally controlled classroom, office, lab, training, or shared work settings with frequent interaction with participants and staff.

- OUTDOORS: Occasional outdoor exposure associated with participant activities, vocational training, service activities, site visits, or program events.

- ATTENDANCE: Monday through Friday, 40-hour work week, with a one-hour unpaid meal period. Occasional pre-approved overtime, evening, weekend, or adjusted hours may be required for participant activities, testing, National Service Days, deadlines, special projects, or program events.

- TRAVEL: Training sites, service locations, educational partners, professional development activities, meetings, participant events, staff retreats, or other approved program activities.

BENEFITS

American YouthWorks offers competitive benefits and leave packages including, on an annual basis:

- 11 personal days;

- 8 sick days;

- 19 break days, taken throughout the spring, summer, and winter;

- 17 holidays,

- Employer contributions toward medical and dental plan;

- Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability;

- Pre-tax programs for child and health care;

- Supplemental income and additional voluntary life options

- 403(b) retirement with employer contribution;

- Employment service awards every 5-years;

EOE