Learning Specialist

Durham College; Oshawa; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Durham College is seeking a full-time Support Staff member for Student Academic Learning Services. The role involves providing academic support to students, focusing on academic writing and learning strategies, delivering workshops, and collaborating with faculty for student success. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in academic support within a post-secondary environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years work experience in a post-secondary environment.
• Experience in teaching and supporting adult learners.
• Proficiency in developing student-focused learning resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one academic support and small group tutorials.
• Develop and maintain SALS webpage and online modules.
• Coach students in developing academic success plans.

Skills

Academic writing

Teaching adult learners

Developing presentations

Coaching techniques

Learning strategies

Education

Four-year degree in English, Communications or related field

BEd or MEd

TESL Certification

Tools

Zoom

MS Teams

D2L

Adobe Creative Cloud

MS Office Suite

Job description

About Durham College:

Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six honours bachelor’s degrees and 11 apprenticeship programs – to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.

A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times.

DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.

Position Information:

Full-time Support Staff Position Opportunity

Payband: Band J; Starting Rate: $42.56; Four Year Rate: $49.34

Department: Student Academic Learning Services (SALS)

Hours: 35 hours per week (1) one hour lunch; Mon – Fri (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Reporting To: Manager, SALS and Test Centre

Campus Location: Oshawa and Whitby

Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent supports students by providing one-to-one academic support, small group tutorials, and workshops to current students to reinforce, clarify and support course content, and learning strategies. The incumbent will have a subject specialty focus in academic writing & language support. Services may be delivered in-person and/or remotely through an online platform. The incumbent will work with the academic Faculties, faculty and Access and Support Centre (ASC), among others, to actively communicate and align available SALS supports, anticipate student needs, and determine the supports that will enhance student success and improve retention. The incumbent works independently within, and as part of, a team to problem solve in an unpredictable and fast-paced environment. They have the technical skills to monitor the SALS computer lab, and take initiative to develop subject support materials on the college Learning Management System (LMS). In addition, the incumbent will propose and lead new projects as determined by need and innovation, and may be requested to perform other duties that support the team and the department. The incumbent may coach students to support academic success and program progression by developing learning success plans in collaboration with the student and others such as ASC, faculty, and their student advisor. The incumbent will have a working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, FIPPA and Institutional policies, and possess a collaborative support philosophy and the ability to apply evidence-based teaching and learning strategies when working with students.

• Assess individual student needs and provide academic support as required in subject specific areas to support course materials/learning (eg. academic writing)
• Deliver small group tutorials and workshops on subject specific topics and study/learning skills using techniques grounded in metacognition and the science of learning.
• Use collaborative coaching techniques and evidence-based strategies to advise students in planning academic or course goals, setting timelines and preparing an action plan for how they will achieve their own academic success.
• Deliver SALS workshops in the Start Strong program, during SALS Essentials, and as required throughout the year as requested by management/administration.
• Recruit and train volunteers, work study and placement students in SALS as required or requested by management.
• Market SALS services by developing and delivering academic Faculty and class orientations, and liaising with faculty, the Student Development Office and the ASC.
• Track and log appointment, tutorial and workshop statistics in Banner.
• Obtain student consent, as required and appropriate, for communication with ASC, faculty, Health Centre, and Student Advisors to collaborate on academic supports for student success plans.
• Develop, update, and maintain SALS webpage and SALS ONLINE module(s) using principles of UDL, EDI, metacognition and the science of learning.
• Use teaching technology (e.g. iPads, digital writing tablets, laptops),, apps and/or software/online platforms (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams, D2L, OneDrive) and creation software (e.g. MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Work with students to develop and review individual, outcomes-based learning plans grounded in evidence-based strategies.
• Research, create and update resources in a variety of formats (e.g. workshops, tip sheets, user guides, and other resources).
• Liaise with DC faculty, program coordinators, and student advisors to determine and develop plan(s) to address student learning strategies needs in the areas of academic writing and language support to reinforce course content/subject matter and/or effective discipline specific learning strategies.
• Propose, plan and lead new initiatives and/or projects to support student academic success.
• Participate in campus events (e.g. Open House) and on campus committees as interested or requested by administration.
• Support the SALS team assisting with or completing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a four (4) year degree in a relevant academic field of study such as English, Communications, or related field is required. A BEd. or MEd. would be considered an asset.
• TESL Certification is an asset
• A minimum of three (3) years work experience providing academic support in a post-secondary environment or teaching is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in academic writing.
• Must have experience teaching or working with adult learners and speaking to large and small groups.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing presentations and digital learning resources; knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning strategies, the science of learning, and metacognitive practices.
• Student focused and able to guide and foster self-directed learning and study strategies.
• Knowledge of current coaching practices, learning strategy implementation and industry/field experience in the subject area would be considered assets.
• Reliable travel between Oshawa and Whitby campuses is required.