Adult Education Instructor, Workforce Development

Organization

Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas has a rich, 130 year history. Everyone knows Goodwill for our thrift stores, but few know what Goodwill is really about. The sale of unwanted items provides funds that stay local, helping us to support thousands of job seekers with barriers to employment. We believe in the Power of Work and are committed to helping people earn and keep jobs in the community. That’s why 88¢ of every dollar Goodwill spends goes directly into our mission, not into shareholders’ pockets.

Background

Expanding technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, are rapidly changing how we work, and the skills needed to perform the jobs of the future. However, many job seekers are at risk of having low or obsolete skills and being left out of jobs and economic opportunities in the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Goodwill Artemis Institute launched in Fall 2021, with its first program, Bridge to Technology, designed to provide education, training, and credentialing for vulnerable job seekers to prepare them for advanced training and employment in a high demand career pathway of their choice such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR (Artificial Reality/Virtual Reality), 3D Printing, and IoT (Internet of Things). Learners participate in the program through a combination of online and in-person classroom instruction to support the learning process.

Our vision is that, together, we can build sustainable and prospering communities. We achieve this by empowering people to discover their potential and adapt for the future through the power of work. We work with a vast diversity of job seekers including those that have a different ability, prior criminal offense, lack of work experience, education, and/ or skills. We take a strength-based approach to career development by meeting individuals where they are and helping them build the necessary foundational and digital skills to find sustainable employment.

Summary/Objective

Reporting to the Program and Business Engagement Manager, the Adult Education Instructor will deliver instruction for Goodwill Artemis Institute programming and will be responsible for ensuring that the training they deliver is of the highest quality and is delivered in an understandable, approachable, and flexible fashion consistent with agency values. The Adult Education Instructor will work collaboratively with a team of managers, career advisors and job developers with the common goal of identifying, developing, and delivering instructional programs to successfully advance participants to postsecondary education, training, or employment. The instructor is not expected to be an expert in future state technologies; however, they are expected to use Goodwill subject matter experts and other resources to become well versed in the material once hired.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Represents Goodwill’s programs and services by developing and implementing lesson plans that align with the curriculum and conducting appropriate instructional activities for assigned classes. Implements via Universal Design and the use of differentiation, including an intentional focus on computer-aided instruction.
• Coordinates curriculum and class activities with:
• Using a variety of teaching materials and strategies, including technology.
• Incorporates career awareness and career development activities in all classes which are included in the curriculum.
• Develops familiarity with adult career training programs, such as manufacturing, technology, customer service and more (based on regional data), curriculum and learning objectives of each course. Develop appropriate lesson plans and include interactive activities to enhance learning.
• Evaluates student performance, tracks attendance, monitors student progress, and conducts audits.
• Develops and implements strategies to aid student retention.
• Completes all necessary record keeping for the position thoroughly, accurately, and timely.
• Participates in professional development activities, and meetings as required.
• Communicates regularly with the Program and Business Engagement Manager and other program personnel about student concerns, progress, and documents them per established policies.
• Use instructional time effectively.
• Communicates with students through class time, conferences, and other means to discuss student’s progress.
• Effectively motivates students and helps them reach their goals.
• Communicate effectively and positively with students and staff.
• Listens and actively responds to learners’ needs and goals.
• Works positively and non-judgmentally with students of all cultures and social backgrounds.
• Provides students with specific, evaluative feedback.
• Sets high expectations for all students.
• Establishes and maintains a well-organized classroom that is conducive to learning.
• Adheres to good safety practices.
• Other Duties as Assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required. Master's degree in Education, Linguistics, or related field preferred. AEL certification preferred.
• Three years of prior teaching experience, especially in Adult Education, High School Equivalency, ESL, or Contextualized Bridge Classes preferred.
• Training, experience, and/or coursework in individual learning methodology in the basic academic skill areas of reading, writing, and mathematics preferred.
• Willingness to learn and obtain relevant certifications to grow alignment with workforce development goals is required.
• Experience teaching/training foundational manufacturing or Certified Manufacturing Associate Certification (CMfgA) is a plus.
• Ability to teach day and evening classes and occasionally Saturdays, as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate students and help them reach their goals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and positively with students and staff.
• Demonstration of competency in subject area development preferred.
• Experience with disadvantaged or underrepresented individuals preferred.
• Experience with distance or remote learning preferred.
• Proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite, constituent management software, and internet search engines; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Suite; and video conferencing software.
• Demonstration of English proficiency in oral and written English required.
  
  
  

Work Environment

This job operates in various work environments from a typical office environment, manufacturing, donated goods retail store back rooms and sales floors. This job utilizes normal office equipment and presentation equipment which is expected to evolve with advances in technology. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate verbally and apply active listening skills.

Physical Demand

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is an active role in various environments including classroom, office, and warehouse. The employee must have the ability to communicate verbally and apply active listening skills, lift up to 35 pounds, sit, bend, and walk and stand for prolonged periods of time, as necessary.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/Travel

• This is a full-time position.
• Work hours are generally Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. but hours will vary based on the needs of the business, which include occasional evenings and Saturdays.
• Training locations will vary and travel within the MoKan region is required.
  
  
  

Values and Competencies

Every leader must demonstrate these competencies:

We allow our values to guide our actions:

• Allow our values to guide our actions:
• Lead: Everyone has value - Help them find it and celebrate it
• Grow: Learn constantly and strive continually to better ourselves
• Partner: Be good citizens, maximize the value of donations, and support sustainability
• Innovate: Always seek new and better ways to accomplish our mission
• One Agency: Unite and work collaboratively to build a legacy from which future generations will benefit
  

All employees should be instilled with and demonstrate an appreciation of the value entrusted to us by the community through donated goods.

AAP/EEO Statement

Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas is an equal opportunity employer.

Receipt of this job description does not imply an employment contract. We are an at-will employer. Job duties, work schedules and work conditions may be altered without notice at any time.