Learning Specialist - Competition ID: 4794

Kwantlen Polytechnic University; Surrey; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Dental benefits

Healthcare spending account

Vacation entitlement

Defined pension plan

Parenthood top-up

Sick leave

Long-term disability

Life insurance

Professional development days

Tuition waiver

Inter-campus transportation

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, with assignments at KPU Tech (Cloverdale) and Langley.

You will design, implement, and monitor individualized accommodation plans, work with instructors to adapt labs and classrooms, and coordinate with Student Affairs and other units to foster inclusive learning.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Disability Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Rehabilitation, or Occupational Therapy.
• Knowledge of disability-related assessments and accommodations.
• Experience interpreting psycho-educational assessments and medical reports.
• Familiarity with assistive technology and external agencies in British Columbia.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and support individualized accommodation plans for students with disabilities.
• Provide learning strategy support to teaching faculty and students.
• Coordinate with other service units to support holistic student development.
• Increase awareness of access opportunities across KPU.

Skills

Accommodations planning

Disability services knowledge

Collaboration with faculty

Communication with stakeholders

Legal compliance knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Disability Studies

Tools

Assistive technology

Job description

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is Canada's only polytechnic university, proudly serving the South Fraser region for more than 40 years. With campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, KPU is deeply connected to the communities it serves and to the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of its students. Through academic excellence, applied learning, innovation, and strong industry and community partnerships, KPU prepares students for meaningful futures.

As an open-access university, KPU is powered by the people who live and work here. We believe every employee plays a meaningful role in supporting student learning and success. We are honoured to carry the name of the Kwantlen First Nation and are committed to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful relationships. As one of BC's Top Employers, KPU is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workplace where employees feel valued, connected to purpose, and empowered to make an impact.

We invite you to explore your next career opportunity at KPU and discover how your work can contribute to a university where thought truly meets action.

• Competition ID: 4794
• Internal Closing Date: September 19, 2026
• External Closing Date: September 19, 2026
• # of Openings: 1
• Salary Information: Faculty Pay Scale
• Employment Type: Faculty Contract
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Travel Frequency: Occasional travel between campuses is required.
• Employee Group: Faculty (Kwantlen Faculty Association)
• Hours per Week (BCGEU):
• Position Title: 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.

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.

Total Rewards

As a part of our total rewards offerings, KPU also offers extended health and dental benefits, healthcare spending account, generous vacation package, defined pension plan, parenthood top-up, sick leave, long-term disability, life insurance, professional development days, tuition waiver, inhouse training & development, inter-campus transportation, and more!

Note: Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time.

Visit https://www.kpu.ca/hr for more information on KPU's workplace, culture and total rewards.

Note to Applicants

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at [e-mail].

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.