Learning Specialist

San José State University•San Jose, CA

1d•$5,540 - $7,893•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Student-Athlete Resource Center (SARC), the Learning Specialist provides comprehensive academic support to student athletes with demonstrated academic need, including those with education impacting disabilities, learning differences, or who are academically at risk. The position independently designs individualized learning strategies, monitors academic progress and NCAA eligibility benchmarks, and supports academic transitions and student success programming. The Learning Specialist collaborates with athletics, compliance, faculty, advising, tutoring, disability resources, and other campus partners to coordinate effective interventions and services. The role exercises professional judgment with limited supervision while maintaining FERPA compliance, accurate academic documentation, and alignment with NCAA, conference, and institutional requirements.

Requirements

Knowledge of NCAA academic eligibility requirements, conference rules, institutional policies, and FERPA requirements.
Ability to design and implement effective individualized and group teaching and learning strategies.
Ability to advise and support students using principles of individual and group behavior and counseling techniques.
Ability to analyze academic information, evaluate complex situations, exercise professional judgment, and determine effective courses of action.
Ability to collect, compile, evaluate, and present data related to academic progress and student success.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize work independently, and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Strong professional written and verbal communication skills for working with student-athletes, families, campus colleagues, and educational partners.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive student information and communications.
Knowledge of student services programs and technology platforms used in university and online learning environments, with awareness of responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI.
Ability to develop services and programs responsive to students from a wide range of communities.
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.
Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience.
A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in related field.
Two years of experience in higher education, athletic academic setting.
Experience with applicable University policies and procedures.
Excellent written communication skills.
Experience with PeopleSoft.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized and small group academic support focused on executive functioning, study strategies, time management, and self advocacy.
Design and implement customized learning plans based on academic history, learning assessments, and eligibility requirements.
Monitor academic progress, attendance, performance indicators, and progress toward NCAA initial and continuing eligibility standards.
Maintain accurate academic documentation and session records using PeopleSoft or comparable student success systems.
Communicate academic progress and concerns to appropriate athletics staff while maintaining FERPA compliance and confidentiality.
Collaborate with compliance staff and campus partners to coordinate academic interventions, referrals, and student support plans.
Prepare and contribute to academic reports related to eligibility certification, retention, and academic performance trends.
Educate student athletes on NCAA academic expectations and institutional degree requirements, including support during academic transitions.
Facilitate workshops on study skills, learning strategies, academic technology platforms, and self management skills.
Serve as an academic resource to student athletes, coaches, support staff, academic units, and external partners to promote student athlete success.