Learning Support Specialist for Lion Plus Program

To enrich education through diversity, The College of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Job Title: Learning Specialist for Lion Plus Program
Job Category: AFT, PSS 3
Post Date: September 1, 2023
Close Date: N/A
Salary: $57,573.92 - $66,217.02

For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.



Position Summary:

Accessibility Resources at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) collaborates with students, faculty, staff and guests to advance access within the campus community and to further extend both the mission of The College of New Jersey and the mission of the Division of Inclusive Excellence to persons with disabilities. As part of this effort, Accessibility Resources promotes an awareness of disability as a facet of diversity with underpinnings of collaborative efforts being rooted in social justice.

The Lion Plus Program is a fee-based holistic student support program for students with documented disabilities. The scope of Lion Plus Program services extends beyond legally mandated (ADA) accommodations, which remain free-of-charge, and are a critical component of equitable educational access.

The Learning Specialist at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) will work with first-year students to assist with all aspects of transitioning from the high school environment to the TCNJ community, with campus connectedness as a focal point. The Learning Specialist’s partnership with members of the junior or senior class is focused on retention, continued integration and developing/sustaining academic and interpersonal independence.



Main Responsibilities:

· Meet with students in the Lion Plus Program regularly to assess semester progress, provide academic coaching and implement appropriate on-campus support.

· Evaluate documentation from qualified professionals and determine student specific accommodation plans and consult with faculty, advisors, and administrators on implementation. Manage the caseload for all Lion Plus students.

· Analyze student academic difficulties and situations to determine the best course of action resulting in coordinating and monitoring the use of academic accommodations. Provide supplemental academic advising as needed and serve as a liaison with other departments on campus for the purpose of course and enrollment inquiries.

· Respect student confidentiality, maintain records, collect data, and prepare reports. Understand and analyze tests and interpret medical and psychological documentation.

· Work collaboratively and creatively with faculty to ensure that Lion Plus students are being appropriately accommodated and supported in the classroom.

· Coordinate students’ academic, social, career, or personal support needs with Counseling and Prevention Services, Career Center, Tutoring Center, Center for Student Success, or other student services departments.

· Possess knowledge and understanding in the areas of disabilities, disability laws and common academic accommodations. Provide disability-based education and support to TCNJ faculty and staff.



Required Qualifications:

· Professional experience working on regulatory compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Title VII, Title VI, ADA, and other nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws, rules, and regulations.

· Experience working with students with disabilities in higher education.



Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's Degree.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.



Preferred Qualifications:

· Master's Degree in Counseling, Disabilities Studies, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, or a related field.



Employer Qualifications:

• Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and reference checks.
• Residency requirement: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees in certain positions (faculty exempt) are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. Applicants must meet the requirements listed.

About TCNJ

TCNJ is a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. Founded in 1855, TCNJ has become an exemplar of the best in public higher education and is consistently acknowledged as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. TCNJ currently is ranked as one of the 75 "Most Competitive" schools in the nation by Barron's Profiles of American Colleges and is rated the No. 1 public institution in the northern region of the country by U.S. News & World Report. TCNJ was named the #10 value in public higher education by the Princeton review in 2009 and, in 2006, was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter - an honor shared by less than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally. A strong liberal arts core forms the foundation for programs offered through TCNJ's seven schools - Arts & Communication; Business; Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science; and Engineering. TCNJ faculty members are teacher-scholars who share a commitment to liberal learning. TCNJ is located within an hour, by train, of New York City and Philadelphia. The College's campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township and is known for its natural beauty and has 39 major buildings.



Employee Benefits:

As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
  
  
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
  
  
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
  
  
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
  
  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  
  
• Employee affinity groups
  
  
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
  
  
• Access to extensive learning opportunities
  
  

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should apply online at: careers@tcnj.edu and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable candidate is selected.