Learning Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Position Type
Professional Staff

Faculty Track

Position Title
Learning Specialist

Employment Status
Full Time

Months
12

Campus
Both ME Campuses

Description

The Learning Specialist is a key role in the Academic Coaching program, utilizing intense one-on-one engagement to help at-risk students take full ownership of their academic and personal success. It entails rigorous, intervention-driven student identification processes, multi-layered outreach to prospective participants, articulate communication of the mission and goals of the program to participants, and application of individualized support programming.

Reporting to the Director of Interventions and Student Success, Learning Specialists are responsible for comprehensive student outreach through specific interventions workflows, with the goal of high rates of participation in the Academic Coaching Program. To accomplish this, Learning Specialists must help identified students articulate a personal and academic vision, and then lead students through the planning and implementation of a program of personal and academic development. A Learning Specialistmust have the ability to quickly form relational bonds with a wide range of students, as well as the capacity to flexibly craft personalized courses of action for each student. Learning Specialists will identify areas of student need; assist the student in generating strategic short-term and long-term action plans; help the student develop goal-oriented processes; support the student as they adjust goals and expectations; provide benchmarks and accountability as students work toward their self-identified goals.

Learning Specialists are expected to regularly collaborate with faculty, academic and career advisors, and other student services, as needed; monitor student progress; process data related to student outcomes; participate in weekly coaching-specific case-reviews, professional development, and strategic planning; contribute to overall office management as part of an active team member.

About the University of New England
UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

UNE offers a generous comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The package includes varied health and dental plans; a retirement plan that includes up to an eight percent match; extensive paid leave including holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time; and educational benefits. Please visit the Human Resources Benefits site for additional information regarding UNE's benefits package.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic coaching/assessment to undergraduate and/or graduate and professional students within assigned caseload.
• Maintain a strong knowledge base of academic skills, pedagogy, principles and methodology.
• Monitor student engagement and academic success for all students within assigned caseload.
• Execute academic interventions as part of a working group; collaborate with faculty, academic and career advisors, and other professional staff in the intervention process.
• Utilize a variety of technologies in order to provide the required services and track student progress including the ability to properly access and use the information in various UNE systems.
• Maintain high-level knowledge of academic and career advising issues including but not limited to: general and major curriculum progression, major choice, career development, professional competencies, internship/job/graduate school options, and participation in extracurricular activities/events/programs in order to facilitate appropriate referrals when needed.
• Provide appropriate information to students regarding future professions, including academics, field experience, and other opportunities relevant to their major.
• Track student progress within the academic programs and provide academic support and referral as appropriate.
• Instruct undergraduate students about course selection and co-curricular opportunities inside and outside of their major as needed.
• Present to prospective students, orientation programs, classes, workshops.
• Maintain high-level presentation skills for both in-person and virtual engagements.
• Develop and execute purposeful and engaging programs/workshops for targeted audiences of diverse sizes and populations.
• Use approved assessment measures as appropriate.
• Provide appropriate referrals to academic departments, student support programs and other university resources as necessary to help students achieve their academic goals.
• Provide support and guidance to professional staff within the Division of Student Success.
• Participate in divisional working groups as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (MA preferred), plus 2+ years of experience in a student support capacity (e.g., academic support services, advising, coaching, counseling, etc.); experience with data analysis, interventions, delivery of services preferred. Applicants may count experience gained while attending a graduate program as professional experience (i.e., clinical placements, externships, etc.).

• Experience working with students from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, socio-economic, and academic backgrounds, as well as those who are neurodiverse or learning disabled, addressing a wide range of learning needs and abilities.
• Excellent planning, administrative and organizational skills.
• Capacity to work with and understand undergraduate and graduate student populations.
• Excellent interpersonal, organization, written and oral communication skills.
• An understanding of and preference for collaborative approaches to problem-solving.
• Ability to keep and maintain FERPA protected student records.
• Willingness to work both autonomously and collaboratively with team members.
• Strong technological skills and comfortable work with Microsoft Office, Banner (or similar data system); advising management software, preferred.
• Positive and energetic outlook, commitment to life-long learning and ongoing student success.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

COVID Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
2022PS0484P

Open Date
08/14/2024

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

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