Learning Specialist

Kwantlen Polytechnic University; Surrey; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kwantlen Polytechnic University invites applications for a Learning Specialist. This non-instructional faculty role supports equal access and engagement for students with disabilities across campuses, including KPU Tech and Langley, and collaborates with instructors to implement accommodation plans in classrooms, labs, and work placements.

The successful candidate will have 3–5 years of experience in post-secondary accommodations, in-depth knowledge of psycho-educational assessments, and a

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Rehabilitation, or Occupational Therapy.
• Registration in a regulatory body is an asset.
• Knowledge of measurement or evaluation practices is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and support accommodation plans for students with disabilities in learning environments.
• Collaborate with instructors to plan and implement accommodations in classrooms, labs, and work placements.
• Provide learning strategy support to teaching faculty and students.
• Coordinate with other service units to support holistic student development.
• Increase awareness of access opportunities and solutions for students with disabilities across KPU.

Skills

Accommodations for disabilities

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Learning strategy support

Professional judgment

Education

Master's degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Rehabilitation, or Occupational Therapy

Professional registration in a regulatory body

Job description

LEARNING SPECIALIST

POSITION TYPE: NR 2 (100%)

POSITION START: August 31, 2027

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Accessibility Services advises KPU on disability-related issues, facilitates individual accommodations for students, and works collaboratively to identify and remove barriers in the learning environment. The team consists of Learning Specialists and Accessibility Advisors at each campus. Accessibility Services is part of Student Affairs and works collaboratively with associated service areas such as Assessment and Testing Services, Academic Advising, Counselling Services, the Career Development Centre, Student Health Promotion, and Student Awards and Financial Assistance, as well as the broader KPU community.

Department environment:

• A collegial team of practitioners.
• Case consultation provided within the team.
• Opportunities to engage in inter-disciplinary outreach, research, committees, and a range of strategic collaborations.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Learning Specialist is a non-instructional faculty position that works with students, faculty, and staff to support equal access, full participation, and engagement for students with disabilities in KPU programs. While this posting is based at KPU Tech (Cloverdale), this position will also provide coverage at KPU Langley. Learning Specialists may be required to work with students from any of KPU's campuses.

The Learning Specialist develops, implements, and supports individualized accommodation plans for students impacted by a variety of disabilities in the learning environment, including, but not limited to, those associated with learning disabilities, acquired injuries, sensory disabilities, neuro-differences, and mental health considerations. The Learning Specialist works closely with instructors to plan and implement accommodations in classrooms, labs, shops, and work-placement settings. The Learning Specialist also provides learning strategy support to teaching faculty and students, and coordinates with other service units to support holistic student development. The Learning Specialist works to increase awareness of access opportunities and solutions for students with disabilities across KPU.

The successful candidate will have the following skills, experience, and knowledge:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience determining and planning accommodations for adults with disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary setting.
• Familiarity with post-secondary academic environments; specific experience with business, design, trades, technology, and/or health programs is an asset.
• Knowledge of risks associated with labs, practicum, co-op, apprenticeship, and clinical health settings.
• Knowledge of the legal duty to accommodate, and human rights and accessibility legislation as it applies to persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting comprehensive psycho-educational assessments and medical reports, as well as an extensive knowledge and expertise in providing learning strategies for adults with a wide range of disabilities.
• Specialization in at least one of the following: supporting youth transitioning from high school to post-secondary, learning disabilities, communication issues, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities, acquired injuries, or neurodivergent lived experiences.
• Familiarity with assistive technology and external agencies that provide access in British Columbia.
• Awareness of the intersection between accommodations, pedagogy, and curriculum learning outcomes.
• Experience in successfully navigating and engaging with institutional systems, services, and supports.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment in complex service decisions, both independently and as part of a team.

More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member are outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in one of the following: Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Rehabilitation, or Occupational Therapy, or a related field.
• Professional registration in a regulatory body is an asset.
• Knowledge in measurement or evaluation practices is an asset.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates are asked to submit:

• A cover letter.
• A curriculum vitae describing relevant professional experience.

Applicants, please note that occasional travel between campuses is required.

*SALARY INFORMATION:

Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience. Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.

This competition is for a maximum FTE of 100% (NR2). When possible, priority will be given to the candidate(s) who can maximize the FTE either individually, or collectively, as such please indicate on your application your preferred workload percentage. This competition could also be used to add candidates to our Qualified Faculty List, therefore also please indicate on your application if you are interested in being added to this list.