About the position

The Specialist, Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP), General Educational Development (GED), (ISAEP/GED Specialist) serves as the educational coordinator, lead instructor, and program administrator for the Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) and General Educational Development (GED) programs. The incumbent is responsible for determining student eligibility, planning, and delivering instruction, administering assessments, coordinating credentialing activities, and managing program operations in accordance with state and local requirements. Decisions and recommendations made by the incumbent directly affect student enrollment, instructional placement, assessment readiness, and successful completion of program requirements leading toward high school equivalency and career readiness. The impact of the work product is realized through the provision of an alternative educational pathway for at-risk secondary students who are not succeeding in traditional high school settings. The Specialist ensures program compliance with Virginia Department of Education and GED Testing Service® standards, supports accurate assessment and recordkeeping, and promotes positive student outcomes, including attainment of high school equivalency credentials, improved employability, and successful transitions to post-secondary education or the workforce. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The ISAEP/GED Specialist is a professional-level educational assignment in the Career, Technical, and Adult Education program. The work encompasses a broad range of interrelated responsibilities, including direct instruction, instructional coordination, program oversight, assessment and credentialing activities, stakeholder collaboration, and regulatory compliance. In performing the work, the incumbent must evaluate student eligibility, academic readiness, assessment data, individualized learning needs, and state-mandated program components, while coordinating with high schools, families, and detention facility staff. The work requires analysis and judgment in situations where student circumstances and program requirements vary, and information may be incomplete or conflicting. The level of difficulty and originality is demonstrated through the need to independently adapt instructional strategies, refine program practices, and develop individualized solutions to support at-risk students in achieving high school equivalency and career readiness outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct instruction to ISAEP students using evidence-based instructional strategies aligned with GED® content standards and individual learning needs.
• Plan, develop, and coordinate GED instructional services, including curriculum alignment, lesson design, and selection of instructional materials.
• Determine, verify, and document student eligibility for ISAEP and GED participation in collaboration with school counselors, administrators, and home high schools.
• Administer, score, and interpret academic assessments, including GED Ready® practice tests, to determine instructional readiness and testing eligibility.
• Coordinate official GED® test registration, scheduling, and administration in compliance with GED Testing Service® policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and complete student records, including enrollment documentation, assessments, attendance, progress reports, and credentialing records.
• Facilitate student transitions from home high schools into the ISAEP program and support re-enrollment or post-program transitions as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized instructional plans and credentialing pathways aligned with state ISAEP requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee career readiness, career counseling, and work-based learning components required under ISAEP guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with all state and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing ISAEP and GED programs.
• Coordinate the recruitment, selection, and hiring process for hourly instructional staff and the full-time teaching position assigned to the detention facility.
• Provide functional oversight and instructional leadership to part-time instructors, hourly staff, and contracted personnel.
• Collaborate with detention facility administrators and staff to coordinate instructional services, schedules, and student participation.
• Participate in the evaluation and support of instructional personnel assigned to the detention facility, in collaboration with facility leadership.
• Monitor program operations to ensure instructional quality, fidelity to program requirements, and effective use of instructional resources.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor program budgets, including purchasing and inventorying instructional materials, software, equipment, and supplies.
• Communicate regularly with students, parents or guardians, and school staff regarding program expectations, student progress, and compliance requirements.
• Analyze student performance data and program outcomes to inform instructional adjustments and program improvement efforts.
• Prepare required reports and documentation for school division leadership and state agencies to support accountability and compliance.
• Apply professional judgment and independent decision-making to address instructional, operational, and student-specific challenges within established guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Alternative Education Programs – Comprehensive understanding of ISAEP and GED instructional frameworks, alternative education models, and high school equivalency pathways.
• Knowledge of Educational Regulations and Policies – Thorough understanding of Virginia Department of Education ISAEP guidelines, GED Testing Service® requirements, and local school division policies.
• Instructional Expertise – Demonstrated ability to deliver effective instruction to diverse learners, including adolescents, adults, at-risk youth, and nontraditional students with varied academic and social-emotional needs.
• Individualized Instruction and Credentialing – Ability to develop, implement, and monitor individualized learning plans, instructional materials, and credentialing pathways aligned with state requirements.
• Assessment and Testing Proficiency – Proficiency in administering, interpreting, and applying results from academic assessments, including GED Ready® practice tests and official GED® testing procedures.
• Organizational and Administrative Skills – Strong skills in recordkeeping, reporting, budget preparation, and program coordination to ensure accurate documentation and effective program operations.
• Instructional Leadership and Staff Evaluation – Ability to provide instructional leadership, evaluate instructional staff, deliver constructive feedback, and support professional development.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills – Effective oral and written communication skills for collaboration with students, families, school staff, detention facility personnel, and county and state officials.
• Educational Technology Skills – Skill in using instructional technology, assessment platforms, and data management systems to support teaching, evaluation, and compliance.
• Professional Judgment and Independence – Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, manage competing priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, adult education, or a closely related field, required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience, preferably including GED instruction, alternative education, or work with at-risk youth.
• At least one (1) year of demonstrated experience with ISAEP requirements and GED Testing Service® standards, curriculum development, assessment, and instructional planning required.
• Valid Virginia teaching license is required, with endorsement appropriate to the instructional level and content area.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with program coordination, student evaluation, and compliance monitoring preferred.