Student Learning Development Specialist

**About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: As part of the Student Experience portfolio, the Learning Development & Success team offers resources and supports to all students at Western. Team members help students cope with the demands of post-secondary learning, helping to identify strengths and develop new skills and strategies for success. We also work with students to alleviate academic stress and anxiety, and to develop positive motivation and confidence toward learning. Our supports are valuable for successful students wanting to maintain their already strong skills and those having academic difficulties. **Responsibilities**: **Key Accountabilities** - Provides one-on-one guidance and support to students in the STEM programs, including general learning strategies, approaches to solving problems and completing assignments - Develops, tests, and evaluates new materials, approaches and programs,including web based documents that are part of Learning Development & Success Services website, print materials and video and/or audio material (e.g.,Strategy Bytes) - Seeks out and reviews potential resources to add to the Learning Development & Success collection in the Resource Centre - In accordance with best practices, contributes to program and service evaluation - Ensures accurate confidential records and data are maintained for all services offered, which are reviewed and analyzed throughout the year in order to consistently improve and adapt services to meet expressed needs and ensure professional standards are met - At the client’s request and with written consent, provides letters of support for academic appeals, employment reference letters or may communicate with other professionals for the benefit of the student - May provide referrals to other support services and agencies - Plans, develops, and delivers group presentations and workshops as required to meet the needs of a significant volume and diversity of students - Responds to requests for presentations, workshops and training from other campus units and faculties - Communicates regularly with faculty to acquire knowledge of the structure of courses as well as course changes - Manages and provides services in the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Centre for Learning Development & Success - Develops relevant support and display materials and ensures they are available - Recruits and supervises peer assistant volunteers working in the PAL centre (approximately 20-30 annually), who provide support for a particular course - Works with the Coordinator, Western Peer Leaders to recruit and train the PAL volunteers - Oversees scheduling and ensures day-to-day guidance is offered - Contributes to the training and preparation of Residence Life Academic and Leadership Programmers for their delivery of academic support services in the residences and provides individualized and group training programs for student volunteers who work in all areas of Learning Development & Success services - Collaborates in the development of marketing strategies to ensure adequate and appropriate use of the Learning Development & Success services offered - Learning Development & Success Services team members share in administrative responsibilities, meeting regularly to review objectives and administrative procedures and to assume accountability for various tasks - Engages in on-going professional development in order to stay abreast of emerging theory and best practice of their discipline - Sustains a current awareness and understanding of new and relevant technologies **Outcomes the Role is to Achieve** - Effective learning processes and strategies are delivered to students - Students progress in their academic endeavours, demonstrating enhanced academic capacity in all areas - Thorough and accurate records of counselling and progress are maintained in accordance with professional standards and University privacy policies - Timely supervision or consultation is sought through colleagues - Skill and knowledge are continually self-assessed, and referrals are made when the needs of the client are outside of the scope of the role - Group presentations and workshops are designed and delivered to significant numbers of students in response to identified needs - Training, instruction and leadership are provided to volunteers, interns and student leaders in a variety of roles, ensuring these individuals are clear about their work - Professional development is continuously pursued