ACOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Position Number: 22080354

County: Pulaski 
Anticipated Starting Salary: $ 56,038.94

Adult Education
 

Position Summary

The ACOM Program Coordinator will function as the High School Equivalency Program Coordinator, serving as the administrator of the state’s high school equivalency testing program.

As the High School Equivalency Coordinator, you will drive collaborative efforts with local GED® test programs and testing sites, fostering improved student outcomes while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. This role provides visionary leadership and robust support through state initiatives that apply evidence-based practices to enhance the GED® test curriculum, instruction, accessibility, professional development, data collection, and student progression.

You will actively engage with partners through in-person meetings, site visits, and workshops across the state, building strong, collaborative relationships with educators, administrators, and community organizations. By providing hands-on expertise and conducting site visits, you will address specific needs, ensure alignment with policies, and support programs directly.

The Program Coordinator must demonstrate initiative as a self-starter, be analytically astute, exercise responsible judgment, and be highly motivated to achieve performance expectations with minimal supervision competently.  A high level of integrity is essential to be successful as the Program Coordinator.  The candidate must communicate orally and in writing effectively, have strong interpersonal skills, be professional, have excellent customer skills, and have public presentation experience. Management and organizational skills are required, with attention to detail.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office products is required.

Statewide and out-of-state travel, including some overnight, is required.  Irregular work hours are expected, which may include some weekend work.

Education and Professional Work Experience

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in education, business administration, a field directly related to the assigned program area, or a related field; plus, six years of experience in the field of education or a related field, including one year in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Preferred Qualification

Master’s degree in education or related field from an accredited college or university AND seven years of education experience teaching, coordinating adult education programs or college and career readiness programs, or current Arkansas Teacher license. In addition, at least three years of supervisory and leadership experience is required.

A Doctorate in Education or a related field from an accredited university may substitute for three years of education experience but not for three years of leadership experience.

A current Arkansas Standard Administrator License may substitute for the three years of leadership experience.

Ten years of successful teaching or testing experience and five years of experience supervising employees are preferred; Current Arkansas Teacher or Administrator License. We’re seeking a candidate with a strong background in education, proven leadership skills, and relevant experience to excel in this role. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, possess a deep commitment to program excellence, and demonstrate the ability to inspire and lead teams effectively. This position requires the ability to analyze data to prepare qualitative and quantitative reports.

Strong preference will be given to those with experience specific to High School Equivalency programs, GED®, or Adult Basic Education programs in Arkansas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrates strong abilities in communication, fostering relationships, and engaging diverse partners in collaborative efforts.
• Knowledge of Curriculum Development, Instructional Strategies, and Research Methods: Possesses expertise in curriculum development, effective instructional methods, and evidence-based research practices for adult education.
• Experience in Adult Teaching or Training: Skilled in adult education principles, with a track record of effective adult teaching or training. Understands the unique needs and learning styles of adult learners.
• Web-Based Instructional Design Skills: Proficient in developing and designing web-based instructional materials, ensuring accessibility and alignment with modern educational practices.
• Group Facilitation: Skilled in facilitating diverse groups and guiding discussions toward achieving specific products, outcomes, or consensus in a collaborative environment.
• Adaptability: Capable of managing shifting priorities and addressing a wide range of work demands with flexibility and composure.
• Knowledge of research and analysis techniques and methods.
• Ability to prepare, present, and review oral and written information and reports.
• Ability to develop, recommend, interpret, and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

1. Supervise and direct unit personnel.
2. Oversee the management and maintenance of accurate high school equivalency credentials (GED®) and protect the integrity of all confidential client, student, and employee information.
3. Act as the liaison between the Office of Adult Education and the GED Testing Service.
4. Proactively resolve State GED® Test Program issues; lead statewide GED® program support by applying expertise and convening key partners in person.
5. Provide assistance and cooperation for candidates requesting accommodations; provide professional development training on test accommodations to GED® Examiners and ADA Coordinators.
6. Monitor testing sites, including mobile units, on usage, availability, accessibility, and GED pass rate.
7. Manage and monitor statewide student GED® Voucher records for financial auditing.
8. Monitor and analyze the state’s GED® test costs annually and make recommendations on reducing costs; track the number and percentage of GED retakes.
9. Ensure test sites, including mobile units, follow GED Testing Services' and state policies and procedures, including testing site set-up, accommodations, and test center information for public access.
10. Conduct annual site visits to GED® testing centers and preparation programs, offering technical assistance and fostering collaboration to resolve challenges efficiently.
11. Coordinate and lead the state’s GED® Top 25 Scorers Ceremony and the Central Arkansas Adult Education Graduation annually.
12. Oversee the GED® Analytics data management information system and manage user accounts, including deactivation.
13. Analyze statewide and program-level GED® data using GED® Analytics and lead state initiatives to enhance program standards and effectiveness.
14. Increase the number of GED® passers and ensure the state meets or exceeds the current GED® pass rate annually.
15. Submit the GED® data to the Executive Assistant for the monthly report by the deadline.
16. Compile and submit the annual statewide GED® Statistical Report to the Director.
17. Participate in the submission of federal and state reports; assist in data match and conducting the state and federal funding of programs, assist in writing policies and procedures, and federal state plans.
18. Provide GED content-related professional development training to local Adult Education personnel; create Train-the-Trainer opportunities; develop training materials and present training to staff.
19. Co-facilitate the annual Testing Administrators’ Conference, which includes an overview of the state’s Assessment Policy, Test of Adult of Basic Education (TABE), TABE-CLAS-E, and GED®.
20. Participate in legislative meetings as requested and have up-to-date copies of GED® data reports prepared.
21.  Participate in the development of Memoranda of Understanding and other written correspondence; respond to requests for proposals process, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and alignment with program goals; conduct research and collect/organize information. 
22. Establish regular communication with adult educators, workforce development/labor, corrections, and other instructional adult education program providers to inform them of developments in the high school equivalency program, including updates, changes, or other information related to the program's administration.
23. Provide timely review, notification, and resolution of state-specific eligibility of test takers.
24. Foster strong connections with educational institutions, the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the Arkansas Department of Education, employers, and community-based organizations to support GED® graduates.
25. Promote pathways to education and employment for high school equivalency participants, including providing information about the state’s high school equivalency test preparation programs and Candidates to institutions and employers.
26. Conduct workshops and presentations during meetings and professional conferences.
27. Serve as a key member of the Marketing Committee to implement a communications and outreach plan to educate communities and stakeholders throughout the state about the high school equivalency program as well as the tools the program provides to help students prepare for the test, perform well on the test, and move on to good jobs with good wages after the test. 
28. Research additional opportunities for high school equivalency test completers, including college credit, scholarships, internships, etc.
29. Serves on the Office of Adult Education Senior Management Team.
30. Other duties as assigned.

 

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to champion economic opportunities through strategic initiatives and an equitable regulatory environment that attracts and grows businesses, safeguards consumers, enhances workforce quality, and energizes our infrastructure, creating a better quality of life for all Arkansans.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.