Academic Pool for Learning Specialist

Learning Specialist

Location: Robey Center for Student Success

Department: Student Success

Supervisor Title: Dean of Student Success and Disability Services Coordinator

Division: Academic Affairs

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Grade: TBD

Position Type/Level: Professional

JOB SUMMARY:

The Learning Specialist supports student success by providing comprehensive academic, personal, and developmental guidance throughout a student's college journey. This role combines academic mentoring, advising, life coaching, and advocacy to help students build effective learning strategies, strengthen executive function and study skills, and foster independence. The Learning Specialist serves as a consistent point of support for students, meeting regularly in one-on-one and group learning settings, to promote persistence, resilience, and growth. This role also emphasizes guiding students through the transition to greater independence by scaffolding skills in self-management, decision-making, and goal setting. Accurate documentation, recordkeeping, and communication with relevant stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, and families, are integral to the position. Above all, the Learning Specialist models care, accountability, and collaboration, creating an environment where students are empowered to succeed academically, socially, and personally.

DUTIES AND TASKS:

• Educational & Developmental Mentor
  • Monitor students' academic performance and assist them in developing compensatory strategies as well as positive habits to improve in the areas of attendance, class participation, homework completion, use of supports/resources, and communication;
  • Model, scaffold, and/or monitor the initiation and completion of academic assignments during one-on-one sessions and Open Learning time;
  • Reinforce skills development in the areas of executive function (time management, organization, planning, etc.), study (reading comprehension, note-taking, summarization, etc.), technology (digital and information literacy), critical thinking, and problem solving;
  • Identify and support students at risk of academic or social/campus difficulties early;
  • Plan and implement interventions to improve academic progress throughout the semester and after the mid-term grade analysis, ensuring all services, resources, and interventions are accessible to students;
  • Foster collaboration between different departments, utilizing the Triadic model to provide a seamless experience for students and address their academic, social, and campus needs comprehensively through coordinated efforts;
  • Utilize shared resources and information to avoid duplication of efforts and enhance efficiency; and
  • Individualize support and monitoring essential to the student's level (freshman/sophomore, junior/senior) as well as their needs and preferences.
• Academic Advisor
  • Clearly communicate advising policies and procedures to students;
  • Recommend resources (Student Portal, Catalog, etc.) to students to support their success;
  • Help students select a course of study appropriate to their interests and career goals, including assistance with the selection of developmental courses;
  • Assist students in developing a balanced academic plan;
  • Work with the Director of Advising to ensure that the degree/program sequence is followed; provide information to the Director of Advising as requested; and
  • Maintain effective internal communication (faculty, staff, students, and parents) ensuring timely responses to inquiries and feedback.
• Life Advisor
  • Help students resolve and manage conflicts, personal concerns, and life challenges;
  • Build students' ability to work effectively with others in a learning environment;
  • Help students develop skills for expressing ideas clearly and listening actively;
  • Regularly check in on students' well-being and provide resources for mental and physical health; and
  • Teach techniques for handling stress and anxiety related to learning.
• Transitioning to Independence
  • Employ scaffolding and fading techniques;
  • Engage students in planning for their future;
  • Assist students in defining clear and achievable academic and life goals;
  • Increase students' self-awareness and social and emotional intelligence;
  • Educate students about life skills and refer as appropriate;
  • Acknowledge and develop personal choice and social responsibility; and
  • Increase competence and confidence in students.
• Recordkeeping
  • After each session with a student, the Learning Specialist will:
    • Summarize student level and trends in Maxient;
    • Document in Maxient the methods and interventions used to improve students' academic performance; and
    • Update Maxient with other pertinent session information;
  • Review Canvas records posted by faculty members in regard to students' academic performance on a weekly basis;
  • Update Student of Concern document weekly (report bi-weekly during one-on-ones with the Dean of Student Success and Disability Services Coordinator);
  • Record number of student visits and report figures to the Dean of Student Success and Disability Services Coordinator at the end of each month;
  • In-between sessions, maintain written communication with students as needed;
  • Update (and develop, if unavailable) students' face-sheets after each academic year; and
  • Prepare scheduled (a minimum of one to three per semester) and contingent communications to parents.
• Other
  • Act as a student advocate, guiding students through the accommodation(s) process, as needed;
  • Meet with students for weekly one-on-one sessions and Open Learning;
  • During student sessions, listen carefully to student concerns and suggestions, and support as appropriate;
  • Support students' well-being and success with genuine care and concern;
  • Provide opportunities for students to engage with peers, faculty, and staff through clubs, events, and activities;
  • Continuously develop expertise in industry standards and emerging practices, sharing best practices and successful strategies with colleagues; and
  • Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A Master's degree in an educational or counseling discipline related to the work of the Center for Student Success is required. Advanced graduate studies preferred.
• Content and pedagogical proficiency required.
• Experience working with students with learning differences in an educational setting preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of the mission of Beacon College and its undergraduate support model, as well as demonstrated knowledge of contemporary research and developments in the field of learning disabilities.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Maxient higher education software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective time management skills.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Maintains a professional and patient approach when working with students, faculty, staff, and other Beacon College community members.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and special projects is required.

ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation(s), can perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and college, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 15 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

NOTICE: The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description