Program Instructor - High School Equivalency Program

university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Instruct students, manage laboratory, shop, studio, and/or classroom activities for an assigned academic or clinical program.

Grant Funded Position

This is a grant funded position; therefore, the university will incur no salary obligation beyond funding derived from this source. This position will continue as long as adequate funds are available.

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visa petitions until further notice.

Responsibilities

Department Summary

The Valdosta State University High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a federally funded grant program that supports eligible adult learners, particularly those from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds, in earning their high school equivalency credential and transitioning to postsecondary education, training, or employment. The program provides academic instruction, advising, and support services designed to promote persistence, completion, and successful outcomes, while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines through ongoing data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

• Instruct students - 50% Instruct students in assigned laboratory, shop, studio, and/or classroom setting.
• Monitor students - 20% Monitor students to ensure compliance with lab, shop, studio, and/or program rules and/or requirements.
• Advise and assist - 15% Advise and assist students.
• Assignment-specific duties - 15% Perform a variety of assignment-specific duties which may include maintain equipment, purchasing supplies and materials, assisting with curriculum development, inputting data, and other specialized tasks.

Supervisor Expectations:

• Provide high-quality, engaging instruction across all GED content areas, using strategies that support adult learners with varying academic backgrounds.
• Assess academic levels and language proficiency to tailor instruction, pacing, and materials to meet individual learning needs.
• Create structured, goal-oriented lesson plans and assign meaningful homework to reinforce learning and support progress toward GED completion.
• Coordinate class schedules based on student availability, work commitments, and learning needs to maximize attendance and participation.
• Work closely with the Academic Advisor (retention specialist), assistant teachers, and tutors to ensure academic continuity and aligned support for each student.
• Track academic progress regularly, provide feedback, and adjust instruction to support timely completion, with the goal of at least 69% of students passing all four GED subject areas within one year.
• Keep detailed and timely records of attendance, academic progress, and instructional activities in compliance with program requirements.
• Demonstrate patience, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills to motivate and guide adult learners, building confidence and persistence throughout their educational journey.

Required Qualifications

Required Experience
Master's degree in classroom, laboratory, or shop academic field and three (3) years of related work experience.

Proposed Salary

$47,218

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
  • USG Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Motor Vehicle Policy
  • Workers Compensation (new hires)
  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at:https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2025-asfr-final-draft-aa.docx.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.