Learning Specialist

UCLA Intercollegiate Athletics; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 72,240 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Intercollegiate Athletics in Los Angeles is seeking a Learning Specialist to support the academic success and retention of student-athletes across 25 sports. You will develop individualized support plans and coordinate tutoring, mentoring, and coaching within the Office of Academic Excellence.

The role collaborates with academic advisors, eligibility staff, coaches, faculty, and campus partners to promote achievement while complying with NCAA and University standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required; Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling is preferred.
• Experience working with college students in an academic support or advising role.
• Experience supporting at-risk students and students with learning differences.
• Strong academic coaching and learning strategy development skills.
• Knowledge of ADA and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle confidential information per FERPA guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and work in-person M-F.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized academic support plans based on student history, placement results, interviews, and input from coaching.
• Collaborate with academic advisors, eligibility staff, coaches, faculty and campus partners to promote student-athlete achievement.
• Offer weekly learning specialist, academic mentoring and tutoring support as needed.
• Train and supervise academic mentors and peer tutors; support enrichment programming.
• Refer students to campus resources and coordinate referrals with campus support services.
• Maintain and report progress, attend eligibility meetings and coordinate with Bruin Bridge and orientation activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Learning strategies

Academic coaching

Counseling

FERPA knowledge

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is accepting applications for the position of Learning Specialist. This is a career, full-time position with a targeted annual salary range of $72,240.00 - $75,000.00, with full health benefits and membership in the UC Retirement Plan. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Office of Academic Excellence, in partnership with the Division of Undergraduate Education - College of Letters & Science, provides support to more than 650 student-athletes in 25 sports throughout the academic year and summer sessions. Our student-centered approach empowers student-athletes to maximize their educational experience while pursuing academic, athletic, and personal goals. Our mission centers on graduating self-sufficient learners who successfully embark on life after college.

The Learning Specialist supports the academic success and retention of student-athletes by providing individualized academic support, learning strategy development, time management skill development and targeted intervention for students with diverse learning needs. Working within the Office of Academic Excellence, this role collaborates closely with academic advisors, eligibility staff, coaches, faculty, and campus partners to promote student-athlete achievement while ensuring compliance with NCAA and University standards.

The Learning Specialist utilize student-athletes’ educational history, placement results, educational interviews, and athletic medicine and coaching input to collaboratively develop, implement and monitor student-athletes’ individualized academic support plans, which may include weekly learning specialist, academic mentor and/or peer learning (tutoring) support for assigned student-athletes.

The Learning Specialist supports a caseload of student-athletes and assigned teams, and serves as a liaison to campus and department resources. Working jointly with the College academic counselors, other learning specialists, peer learning and eligibility staff, as well as campus resources, the Learning Specialist provides initial and ongoing training for academic mentors and peer learning facilitators (tutors).

The Learning Specialist will also collaborate with multiple support service providers on campus and within athletics, making referral as needed to provide enriched student-athlete academic support. The Learning Specialist develops proactive and responsive programming founded on campus academic integrity policies that also honor FERPA confidentiality safeguards. The Learning Specialist will also have knowledge of NCAA, Conference, UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and University policies, rules and regulations.

Finally, the Learning Specialist fulfills several administrative roles, including grade and progress checks and reports, communicating with coaches regarding academic progress, contributing to unit- wide programming including eligibility meetings, Bruin Bridge (summer orientation program), orientation sessions, as well as special events like the Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration.

All applicants should demonstrate the following abilities and requirements: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required; Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling is preferred; Experience working with college students in an academic support or advising role; Experience supporting at-risk students and students with learning differences; Strong academic coaching and learning strategy development skills; Knowledge of regulations and laws associated with ADA and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities; Demonstrate ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and according to FERPA guidelines; Skill in working independently and following through on duties with minimal direction; Ability to effectively counsel and refer students to campus resources for assistance with professional, academic, and/or personal matters; Ability to interact diplomatically with individuals of diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds; Outstanding communication skills both oral and written, including skill in writing memos/reports and using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; Ability to establish and interact collaboratively and effectively with other staff, student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the UCLA community; Working knowledge of collegiate athletics and student-athlete demands; Ability to work collaboratively in situations that may be time sensitive or otherwise highly pressured, with a variety of individuals including students, coaches, academic personnel, faculty and staff; Working knowledge of NCAA, conference, UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and University policies, rules, and regulations and the ability to adhere to and comply with those rules and regulations; Ability to travel occasionally to support student-athletes at away competitions as needed; Ability to work in-person, on the UCLA campus during regular work hours M-F.