Learning Specialist

The California State University; California, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University is seeking a Learning Specialist to provide individualized academic support to student-athletes, helping them achieve academic success and maintain NCAA eligibility. The role involves designing tailored learning plans, monitoring progress, and coordinating interventions with athletics, compliance, and campus partners.

The position emphasizes FERPA compliance, confidentiality, and collaboration across campus to promote student-athlete achievement and transitions, with a

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent plus professional student services experience as required.
• Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements, FERPA, and campus policies.
• Experience designing individualized and group learning plans and monitoring progress.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and small group academic support focusing on executive functioning, study skills, and self-advocacy.
• Design and implement customized learning plans based on academic history and eligibility requirements.
• Monitor progress toward NCAA eligibility benchmarks and document sessions.
• Maintain accurate records using PeopleSoft or similar systems.
• Collaborate with athletics, compliance, advising, tutoring, and disability resources to coordinate interventions.
• Prepare academic reports on eligibility certification, retention, and trends.

Skills

NCAA eligibility

FERPA compliance

Executive functioning

Study strategies

Time management

Student services

Data analysis

Education

Master’s degree in Counseling/Clinical Psychology/Social Work or related field

Three years of professional student services experience

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Job no: 560509

Work type: Staff

Location: San José

Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Student-Athlete Resource Center (SARC), the Learning Specialist provides comprehensive academic support to student athletes with demonstrated academic need, including those with education impacting disabilities, learning differences, or who are academically at risk. The position independently designs individualized learning strategies, monitors academic progress and NCAA eligibility benchmarks, and supports academic transitions and student success programming. The Learning Specialist collaborates with athletics, compliance, faculty, advising, tutoring, disability resources, and other campus partners to coordinate effective interventions and services. The role exercises professional judgment with limited supervision while maintaining FERPA compliance, accurate academic documentation, and alignment with NCAA, conference, and institutional requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and small group academic support focused on executive functioning, study strategies, time management, and self advocacy.
• Design and implement customized learning plans based on academic history, learning assessments, and eligibility requirements.
• Monitor academic progress, attendance, performance indicators, and progress toward NCAA initial and continuing eligibility standards.
• Maintain accurate academic documentation and session records using PeopleSoft or comparable student success systems.
• Communicate academic progress and concerns to appropriate athletics staff while maintaining FERPA compliance and confidentiality.
• Collaborate with compliance staff and campus partners to coordinate academic interventions, referrals, and student support plans.
• Prepare and contribute to academic reports related to eligibility certification, retention, and academic performance trends.
• Educate student athletes on NCAA academic expectations and institutional degree requirements, including support during academic transitions.
• Facilitate workshops on study skills, learning strategies, academic technology platforms, and self management skills.
• Serve as an academic resource to student athletes, coaches, support staff, academic units, and external partners to promote student athlete success.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements, conference rules, institutional policies, and FERPA requirements.
• Ability to design and implement effective individualized and group teaching and learning strategies.
• Ability to advise and support students using principles of individual and group behavior and counseling techniques.
• Ability to analyze academic information, evaluate complex situations, exercise professional judgment, and determine effective courses of action.
• Ability to collect, compile, evaluate, and present data related to academic progress and student success.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize work independently, and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Strong professional written and verbal communication skills for working with student-athletes, families, campus colleagues, and educational partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive student information and communications.
• Knowledge of student services programs and technology platforms used in university and online learning environments, with awareness of responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI.
• Ability to develop services and programs responsive to students from a wide range of communities.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
• A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in related field.
• Two years of experience in higher education, athletic academic setting.
• Experience with applicable University policies and procedures.
• Experience with PeopleSoft.

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III

Anticipated Hiring Salary: $5,667/month

CSU Salary Range: $5,540/month - $7,893/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: August 11, 2026, through August 26, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found athttps://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent [e-mail] .

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Officeor report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing athttps://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email [e-mail] .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing athttps://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email [e-mail] .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San José State University is seeking a Learning Specialist to provide individualized academic support that empowers student-athletes to achieve academic success, maintain NCAA eligibility, and confidently navigate their educational journey. Join a collaborative team and make a meaningful impact by developing tailored learning strategies and partnering across campus to help student-athletes thrive.

San José State University is seeking a Learning Specialist to provide individualized academic support that empowers student-athletes to achieve academic success, maintain NCAA eligibility, and confidently navigate their educational journey. Join a collaborative team and make a meaningful impact by developing tailored learning strategies and partnering across campus to help student-athletes thrive.