ACOM PROGRAM ADVISOR

Position Summary

The ACOM Program Advisor will function as the Integrated Education and Training (IET) Instructional Specialist for the Division of Workforce Services, Adult Education Section. The IET Instructional Specialist will supplement and support Career Pathways initiatives of the Adult Education Programs. As the IET Instructional Specialist Program Advisor, they will coach, support, demonstrate instructional techniques, and guide teachers in authentic problem-based and best practices. The Program Advisor will conduct professional development training, conduct program visits, provide feedback, and review and approve budgets. The Program Advisor will assist with developing the curriculum and review data for program improvement. The Program Advisor is responsible for coordinating integrated education and training programs across the state that prepare adults for high-skill, high-wage careers aligned with workforce needs. The Program Advisor works closely with the WAGE™ Coordinator and helps to facilitate work-based learning, apprenticeships, and workforce training opportunities for adult learners.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in education, business administration, or a field directly related to the assigned program area; plus, four years of experience in education or directly related to the assigned program area.

Preferred Qualifications

Related fields for the IET Instructional Specialist are reading, language arts, instructional design, curriculum specialist, linguistics, vocational education, and career and technical education. This position will need to complete the Career Service Provider course within one year of hire.

A master's degree in education, business administration, reading, language arts, instructional design, curriculum specialist, linguistics, vocational and adult education, career and technical education, or a closely related field is required.

Two (2) years of professional experience in curriculum development using multi-media development applications is desired. Strong analysis and information-gathering skills are required. Experience in training, mentoring, and delivering professional development is essential. Four (4) years of successful teaching experience and a minimum of two years of curriculum development, preferably in adult and/or workplace education, are desired. Familiarity with Adult Education and College and Career Readiness Standards is essential. Knowledge of assessment, curriculum design, development, instructional processes, and strategies based on research in adult learning and development is needed for this position.

The IET Instructional Specialist must demonstrate initiative as a self-starter, be analytically astute, exercise responsible discretion and judgment, and be highly motivated to achieve performance expectations competently with minimal supervision. Critical thinking skills and a high level of integrity are essential to be successful as the Program Advisor. Strong writing, collaborative, and verbal communication skills are essential.

Strong interpersonal skills and public presentation skills are required. Knowledge of and the effective application of grammar, punctuation, and syntax rules is necessary to achieve the writing standard. Public presentation experience is needed. Management and organizational skills, with attention to detail, are required. Proficient application of Microsoft applications is essential, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities                                                                                                

• Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding licensure in the education field.
• Knowledge of educational program development and presentation techniques.
• Knowledge of teaching principles and methods.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable portions of federal and state regulations governing educational programs.
• Ability to research, generate, simulate, modify, and conduct educational programs.
• Ability to prepare, categorize, and document reports.
• Ability to evaluate applications and their supporting documentation.
• Ability to prepare and present information to various groups orally and in writing.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

1. Provide technical assistance to adult education programs and literacy councils by interpreting federal and state regulations, answering questions, resolving problems, advising local programs, etc.
2. Work with adult education providers in designing and implementing relevant curriculum following the Integrated Education and Training (IET) Model Curriculum Standards for the given industry/pathway.

3. Provide IET professional development training that incorporates Career Pathways completion, appropriate industry-recognized certifications and training, and instructional strategies, best practices and specific instructional topics.

4. Evaluate program effectiveness through annual on-site visits, program reviews, and desk audits to ensure program compliance review status and accountability reports of programs for compliance and performance.

5. Maintain a working knowledge of applicable federal, state, agency, and program-specific policies, procedures, regulations, professional standards, and administrative practices for audit compliance.

6. Monitor and approve federal and state grant budgets, amendments, expenditure reports, and adult education and literacy council program project applications. 

7. Participate in submitting federal and state reports; assist in data matching and conducting the state and federal funding of programs; assist in writing policies and procedures and federal state plans.

8. Review and analyze program-specific data for approval. Interpret federal and state regulations and prepare comprehensive reports. Analyze and report year-end data.

9. Assist with the data collection and reporting of Integrated Education and Training activities; works closely with the WAGE™ Coordinator, who serves as the liaison for business and industry.

10. Participate in industry professional development and training; set individual learning and development goals and actively seek opportunities to develop teaching practice further.
11. Respond promptly to communications and requests from the field.
12. Conduct workshops and presentations during local meetings and professional conferences. Represent the agency at meetings, workshops, and conferences upon request.

13. Preserve the integrity of all employees, clients, and student information.

14. Perform other job duties as assigned, with or without reasonable accommodations.