Learning Specialist

Overview

This role involves coordinating Tutorial and Academic Mentor programs and providing learning support to student-athletes with learning disabilities or other academic challenges. Reporting to the Senior Assistant Athletic Director, the position requires close cooperation with staff, coaches, and compliance offices to ensure NCAA regulations are met while supporting student-athlete academic success.

Primary Duties

• Manage recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, evaluation, and payroll approval for temporary academic support staff including tutors and mentors.
• Assign at-risk students to part-time Academic Mentors and collaborate with athletic and program staff to coordinate academic support schedules around athletic commitments.
• Continuously improve the Academic Success Program based on feedback and evolving student-athlete needs and technologies.
• Serve as a Learning Specialist for a caseload of at-risk student-athletes, creating and implementing personalized academic support plans each semester.
• Conduct early assessments to identify learning strengths and weaknesses and refer students to university resources for accommodations.
• Meet regularly with program staff to review student progress and adjust support plans accordingly.
• Supervise study sessions, including evening and weekend sessions during semesters, and be available on-call to respond to urgent academic needs.
• Oversee compliance with NCAA guidelines for tutors and mentors and coordinate training and evaluations to ensure program effectiveness and adherence to policies.
• Manage program budget and temporary staff compensation in coordination with the Athletic Business Office.
• Maintain working knowledge of university academic policies and NCAA and conference eligibility requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or pursuing one related to special education, higher education, psychology, social work, or administration preferred.
• Experience supporting students with identified learning disabilities and knowledge of learning styles and strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with diverse students and staff.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to build relationships with students and colleagues.
• Experience working with undergraduate or high school students and interest in academic progress and transition challenges related to student-athletes.
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and some holidays as needed.

Work Environment and Additional Details

This position supports full-time remote or hybrid work arrangements subject to departmental discretion and regular review. It requires flexibility to respond during non-traditional work hours and supervision of student-athlete academic sessions both virtually and in-person as scheduled.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including generous leave, retirement plan with immediate vesting and matching contributions, multiple health insurance options, life insurance, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care.

Union and Compliance

The position is covered under a bargaining unit which regulates wages, benefits, hours, and employment conditions. Background checks are conducted in compliance with applicable laws.