Educational Specialist

University-of-Hawaii-System; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa – John A. Burns School of Medicine is seeking an Educational Specialist (Learning Specialist) to lead retention strategies, design skill-building sessions, and assess student learning.

The role is full-time and permanent, located in Honolulu, HI, with annual renewal dependent on funds and performance. Responsibilities include collaboration with medical education offices, creating individualized plans, and supporting student accommodations and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a baccalaureate degree in education, instructional design, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences, counseling, learning or cognitive sciences or related field and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for advising or counseling.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of student retention strategies and tracking methods to support students' academic success.
• Designs and implements academic skill-building and resiliency sessions (productivity modeling, time management, critical reasoning, test-taking strategies, professionalism and student wellbeing).
• Conducts, scores and interprets formal learning assessments to examine students' learning and study skills, and learning preferences.

Job description

Educational Specialist (Learning Specialist - 0097722) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

2026-02044

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - John A. Burns School of Medicine

Division

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

09/23/2026

Closing Date

10/7/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number:

0097722

Description

Title: Educational Specialist (Learning Specialist)

Position Number: 0097722

Hiring Unit: C OF HLTH SCI & SW, SCH OF MED, ASSOC DEAN FOR ACAD AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Location:John A. Burns School of Medicine, Kakaako, Medical Education Building

Other Conditions: Permanent, full-time, subject to position clearance and availability of funds. Position is annually renewable depending on performance and/or funding availability.

• Leads the development and implementation of student retention strategies, and tracking and evaluation of methodologies that support students' academic success.
• Designs and implements academic skill-building and resiliency sessions in areas that include productivity modeling, time management, critical reasoning and comprehension, test-taking strategies, professionalism, and student well-being.
• Conducts, scores, and interprets formal learning assessments to examine students' learning and study skills, learning preferences, baseline skills for mastery of information, and approaches to group learning and team building skills.
• Utilizes student data and demographic profiles to create individualized educational plans, providing ongoing feedback and monitoring of student learners.
• Creates comprehensive remediation plans that address student challenges and deficiencies to enhance student teaching across the institution.
• Serves as a member of the AAMC Medical Education Learning Specialist (MELS) interest group, JABSOM Evaluation Review and Remediation Committees (ERRC) and JABSOM Pre-Clerkship Education Committee (PEC), and other pertinent committees.
• Collaborates with the Offices of Medical Education and Student Affairs to provide workshops and small group sessions to learners regarding strategies to optimize their academic/clinical performance.
• Serves as a liaison between all JABSOM students with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Kokua office, coordinating any accommodations for disabilities with appropriate faculty and staff as needed.
• Assists in advising students with disabilities on applying for accommodations on USMLE exams.
• Works collaboratively with the academic advisor or learning community mentor, as needed, to develop preparation plans for individual students.
• Evaluates educational program success and effectiveness through formal evaluation methods.
• Keeps abreast of current literature and professional associations relevant to the area of expertise.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a baccalaureate degree in education, instructional design, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences, counseling, learning or cognitive sciences or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for advising or counseling; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of advising or counseling as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.

Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with advising or counseling.

Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.

Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.

Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Adobe Acrobat, Google Suite and other commonly used software.

If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Demonstrated ability to produce work that is detail-oriented, accurate, neat, and organized and must be able to follow up on assigned tasks through satisfactory completion.

Desirable Qualifications

Master's degree education, instructional design, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences, counseling, learning or cognitive sciences or related field.

PhD in education, instructional design, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences, counseling, learning or cognitive sciences or related field.

Familiar with University of Hawaii policies and procedures.

Familiarity and/or experience with problem-based learning.

Demonstration of creativity, flexibility and initiative in current or previous employed positions.

Demonstrated ability to intervene in crisis situations using sound professional judgement, and ethical practice.

Demonstrated ability to work successfully in an environment with a wide range of personalities and needs, while maintaining a positive attitude.

Experience in program administration and implementation of educational programs.

Demonstrated ability to work outside of normal working hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

Employer University of Hawaii

Department University of Hawai'i at Manoa - John A. Burns School of Medicine Address 651 Ilalo Street

Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813