Learning Specialist - Northampton, United States - Smith College

Description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-

Job Description

This is an academic year,39-weekposition set to start on August 19th. The position is part-time working23hours per week. For the '24-'25 academic year this position will work an increased35-hrs per week.

Job Summary
JC - Under the general direction of the director of the Jacobson Center (JC), the Part-Time Learning Specialist & Tutorial Services Coordinator will be part of a high-quality program focused on delivering academic support to all students at the college, but especially those struggling with academic success. They will provide direct services to students struggling with academic success; teach two sections of a credit-bearing course on applied learning strategies per year; recruit, select, train, and supervise peer tutors in the non-quantitative disciplines; and plan and deliver workshops on academic success for all students. They will regularly assess the non-quantitative tutoring program and learning specialist services and work with the director of the Jacobson Center on strategic initiatives in both regards.

ARC - Under the general direction of the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), the Part-Time Learning Specialist will be part of a high-quality team focused on the delivery of services to students with disabilities and access needs. The PT Learning Specialist will evaluate, implement, coordinate, and monitor appropriate services and activities designed to create an accessible educational environment for students with disabilities. The PT Learning Specialist will provide direct consultation as well as group educational opportunities for students to develop essential academic skills and personal independence, and will refer students with complex needs to Full Time (FT) Learning Specialist and ARC Director as necessary. The successful candidate will have a flexible, strengths-based, community-building approach, and demonstrated knowledge of college-level disability services.
Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions
JC, Teaching (45%)

Work individually with students struggling with academic success; teach two sections of IDP 136, Applied Learning Strategies, per year; plan and implement workshops on academic success skills for all students; train students to become peer tutors in the non-quantitative disciplines; develop tutor training materials to be used to in tutor training workshops; provide the training required for CRLA tutor certification at levels 1 and 2. The Learning Specialist & Tutorial Services Coordinator constantly monitors the academic support needs on campus and adjusts course and workshop content as needed, and is in frequent contact with faculty whose courses the JC supports to adjust tutor training to meet pedagocial needs.

JC, Administrative (25%)

Recruit, interview, select, hire, and supervise peer tutors in the non-quantitative disciplines. Maintain CRLA tutor certification up to date. Approve payroll, monitor student payroll expenses, and develop budget strategies for the Center's tutorial services program. Maintain regular contact with faculty teaching courses supported by the JC, with the peer tutors in the non-quantitative disciplines, and with other offices providing academic support (such as the Office of the Class Deans and the Office for Disability Services). Disseminate information about JC services through orientations, workshops, and campus news outlets. Work with the director of the JC on assessment and strategic planning for the center.

ARC (30%)

(A) Coordinate and provide academic support services to students needing academic accommodations due to disabilities. Facilitate the process of accommodations and services, including meeting with students and collaborating and/or referring students to other ODS staff as appropriate.
Refer and support students to connect with other resources on and off campus as appropriate. Maintain student records and service data.

(B) Assist students with significant learning and other disabilities to accept, understand, and manage their disability-related challenges by maximizing the balance of strengths to challenges through the development of essential personal and academic skills for success. Provide 1:1 consultation related to course choices and other activities designed to balance workload. Provide 1:1 and group opportunities to develop study skills, time management, executive functioning, and transition support. Promote student self-advocacy skills and independent, informed decision-making. Other duties as assigned.

Other Functions
Support the directors of the Jacobson Center and ARC in achieving center goals and initiatives.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)
MA/MS/MEd degree required.

1-3 years of tutoring, tutor training, and classroom teaching experience, preferably in higher education.

Demonstrated experience providing education, counseling, advising, or other disability-related services.

Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, training, and group instruction.

Knowledge of the literature in teaching and learning with regard to tutoring.

Knowledge of academic skills development theory and methods.

Knowledge of a range of disabilities that impact learning, including learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum, head injuries, mental health conditions, and various chronic medical conditions.

Knowledge of applicable disability civil rights laws.

Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning principles and techniques.

Knowledge of assistive technology.

Knowledge of adolescent and adult learning theory.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications
ARC - Masters Degree in a related field preferred.

Skills
Excellent skills in communication, presentation, and group dynamics. Ability to learn and incorporate new technologies. Ability to supervise and manage more than fifty students. Empathy and sound judgment. Sensitivity and understanding of the needs of a diverse student body. Work is in person with occasional remote meetings and requires appropriate interpersonal and technological skillsets.

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Review of applications will begin

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About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.