Learning Specialist, Students

**Classification & Regular Hours**:
Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 14
- Please note: there are multiple vacancies available._

**About Western**:
**About Us**:
As part of the Student Experience portfolio, the Learning Development & Success team offers resources and supports to all undergraduate and graduate students at Western. Learning Specialists help students cope with the demands of post-secondary learning, identify strengths, and develop new skills and strategies for success. They also work with students to develop positive motivation and confidence towards learning. A range of online resources, drop-in support, group-based programs, and individual appointments are available for students having academic difficulties, as well as those wanting to sharpen their learning skills.

**Responsibilities**:
Working from a student centered-lens, the Learning Specialist will use their knowledge of, and experience in, implementing best practice(s) in teaching and learning, student retention, and learner engagement strategies. The role will lead the research, design, development, delivery and evaluation/assessment of strategies, projects, programs and initiatives designed to contribute to the academic success, retention, and persistence of undergraduate and graduate students at Western.

The role will help students establish learning goals and objectives in a manner that reflects current best practices, emphasizing the significance of developing effective learning skills early on in their academic career. The role provides support via online and in-person mechanisms, including appointments, workshops, drop-in services, and group programming, with a focus on the unique learning needs of underrepresented student populations (e.g., students with disabilities, BIPOC students, international students and English language learners), non-traditional students and students who are academically at risk.

The Specialist has three primary areas of focus: 1) Serve as a knowledge expert and consultant in areas related to the academic success and retention of students, 2) Lead the development, delivery and ongoing evaluation/assessment of student retention and academic success initiatives in their respective portfolios, and 3) Collect, analyze, and manage data and assessment/evaluation metrics to help inform decision making.

The role will work in collaboration with Faculties and support units to create resources and deliver programming, providing referrals when necessary.

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:

- Undergraduate Degree
- Master’s Degree in relevant discipline or significant higher education experience an asset
- Teaching credentials (or higher education teaching experience/post degree work) preferred

**Experience**:

- Two years’ experience providing guidance and support to students with respect to learning development and related strategies, preferably in a postsecondary institution
- Experience supporting students from underrepresented equity seeking populations (e.g., BIPOC, English Language Learners, graduate students) is preferred
- Experience in an academic setting working with students, faculty members/instructors, and staff preferred
- Experience with instructional design, curriculum design, and pedagogical research projects is preferred
- A record of and commitment to participating in ongoing learning and engagement in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and accessibility preferred
- Demonstrated leadership related to program design that engages and supports underrepresented student populations, non-traditional students and students who are academically at risk is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Demonstrated skill and ability in guiding and working with students of diverse life and educational backgrounds and skill levels
- Demonstrated knowledge of barriers to student success (systematic, historic, issues of access) for underrepresented or non-traditional students and students who are academically at risk
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge and skill level in learning skills development, problem solving, and learning strategies
- Effective listening, observation, and facilitation skills to effectively assess students’/instructors’ needs and provide appropriate services
- Strong collaboration skills to manage service delivery with multiple stakeholders in conjunction with Learning Development & Success team members and other support units on campus
- Strong organizational skills to effectively plan and manage priorities to achieve results independently and as a member of the team
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills
- Well-established and demonstrated interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Strong understanding of the needs of Western students, including priority populations (e.g., first-year students, international, transfer and exchange students, graduate students, students who are academically at risk an