Learning Specialist
- Employer
- Northeastern University
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not specified
- Date posted
- Apr 14, 2023
View more
- Position Type
- Administrative, Student Affairs, Disabled Student Services
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.
Learning Specialist
About the Opportunity
JOB SUMMARY:
The Learning Disabilities Program (LDP) is a comprehensive academic support program for undergraduate students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). The staff of the LDP is charged with the goal of supporting the academic achievement and persistence of NU students with LD and/or ADHD who participate in the Program. The students served by the LDP have complex and varying needs; support of those students requires the expertise and the teaching skills required to address particular academic challenges common to LD and/or ADHD. The position also requires the ability to address the challenges that develop when those disabilities are compounded by other developmental and educational factors, including those experienced by international students, student athletes, and students who are “twice exceptional” (high IQ and LD/ADHD), and students diagnosed with co-morbid psychological disorders, as well as students who are otherwise at risk (e.g., students returning from MLOA, students on academic probation).
The intensive and individualized nature of the support offered by the LDP means that this position is uniquely student-centered. For the students on their caseloads, the specialists' central responsibilities are:
- Identify students' areas of need, through interpreting
neuropsychological evaluations, professional observation, gathering
student self-report, and using other structured tools and
specialized inventories.
- Provide twice-weekly, targeted support sessions to college
students with LD and/or ADHD, designed to address students' areas
of need and teach students the skills required for self-regulated
learning in the post-secondary environment.
- Develop and maintain professional working relationships with
students, in order to best employ a collaborative, goal-setting
approach to address weaknesses in students' self-awareness,
academic skills, and metacognition.
- Communicate with faculty and University staff to support
students' self-advocacy and to assess students' progress in their
coursework and academic programs. Make and facilitate appropriate
referrals to other campus resources to address student needs. Staff
of the fee-based LDP is also expected to take a strong
customer-service based approach to communication with parents of
enrolled students.
- Contribute to the teamwork of program staff in topical study
and discussion and in program-wide projects, including acting as a
resource to Learning Strategies and Student Success, as well as to
the larger university community, concerning best-practices for
supporting the learning and achievement of students with LD and/or
ADHD.
Unique challenges of the job include:
- The developmental manifestation of LD and/or ADHD in
adolescents and young adults. College students with learning
disabilities and/or ADHD experience tension between their
developmental desire for increasing independence and their
educational need for continued support. LDP Specialists must have
the experience and sensitivity to address the developmental needs
of adolescents and young adults with LD and/or ADHD, including the
specific deficits as well as the broader impact on information
processing, executive functioning, and psycho-social
development.
- The range of academic majors and programs in which students are
enrolled. The LDP enrolls students from each of the Universities
undergraduate colleges. LDP specialists must have proficiency in
teaching academic skills in a variety of disciplines in order to
support students in the full range of majors offered by the
University.
- The complexity of college transition for students with LD
and/or ADHD. LDP specialists must demonstrate the ability to
successfully support students in navigating the specific areas of
challenge for students with LD and ADHD in their transition to the
post-secondary environment, including: impact academic and career
advising, change in academic expectations and environment from high
school, legal transition for K - 12 in the rights and
responsibilities of the students and the obligations of the
education institution, as well as the role and involvement of
students' parents.
- The Learning Disabilities Program is a fee-based service, with
the exceptional expectations for service that accompany this type
of support.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in education, special education, or applied
educational psychology
- Professional training in the remediation of learning and other
disabilities
- Four to six years' experience teaching academic skills to
adolescent and young adult students with LD and/or ADHD; experience
in higher education is preferred
- Demonstrated ability to develop productive working
relationships with students
- Training in administering and interpreting psycho-educational
and neuropsychological assessments for students with LD/ADHD, as
well as the specialized knowledge to interpret diagnostic
assessments and determine appropriate academic interventions,
supports, and accommodations.
- Currency with research and evidence-based approaches concerning
adolescents and young adults with LD and/or ADHD, including:
executive functioning, self-regulated learning, self-determination,
metacognition, and common co-morbidities.
- Working knowledge the ADAAA and other laws relating to
disability in higher education, as well as the ability to explain
them and the implications for students with LD and/or
ADHD
- Excellent problem-solving and group process skills
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written
communication skills
Position Type
Student Services
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Learning-Specialist_R114166
jeid-08441c3190ec3c4b82f6e5638c6baab0
You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert