Learning Specialist

the CIA•Hyde Park, NY

About The Position

The Learning Specialist collaborates with students, faculty, and the Learning Strategies team to design inclusive, flexible learning strategies that support academic success for a diverse population of learners. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), this role emphasizes proactive planning, learner variability, and the development of sustainable academic skills that empower students to become independent, reflective learners. The Learning Specialist helps to prevent students with documented disabilities from being placed on academic probation or academic suspension, supports at-risk students (especially students with learning disabilities), and works in service of increased retention.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Education or Special Education.
Minimum of two (2) years successfully tutoring students with disabilities at the secondary or post-secondary level.
Excellent teaching skills and the ability to intervene when students fall behind their peers academically.
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to show a high level of service responsiveness to students.
Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion.
Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills required.
Must have demonstrated ability in organizational, time management, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
Ability to make decisions based on factual evidence and observation.
Demonstrated ability to use multiple techniques to help students develop study, learning and testing skills.
Must display a high level of energy and self-motivation, with the capacity for self-directed progress on goals, projects, and efforts toward fulfilling departmental objectives.
Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills.
Demonstrated ability to tailor tutoring methodology to the needs of the individual student.
Ability to use multiple means of engaging/processing/understanding academic material, including those that are visual or hands-on.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Education, Special Education or Educational Psychology.
Special training or experience in working with students with ADHD, ASD, math-based learning disabilities (i.e. dyscalculia), or 2e (Twice Exceptional) students.
Basic working knowledge of the neuroscience of learning, memory, and executive functioning disorders.
Bilingual or multilingual.
Experience working with international students and ELL’s.
Experience working with assistive technology.
Familiarity with or experience in the culinary or hospitality industries.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with students, faculty, and the Learning Strategies team to design and implement inclusive learning plans that account for variability in learning preferences, executive functioning, motivation, and prior educational experiences.
Applies Universal Design for Learning principles to develop strategies that increase access, engagement, and academic persistence across a wide range of learners.
Provides academic coaching and strategy instruction that supports goal-setting, time management, motivation, metacognition, and effective learning habits in ways that respect individual strengths and needs.
Supports students in developing personalized, transferable systems for studying, organization, and self-regulation that promote long-term academic success.
Partners with faculty and staff to proactively identify students who may benefit from additional academic support and to co-create responsive, learner-centered interventions.
Utilizes evidence-based tutoring and learning strategies that offer multiple pathways for understanding, practice, and demonstration of learning.
Establishes collaborative relationships with students, faculty, administrators, Career and Academic Advisors, and families (as appropriate) to support holistic student success.
Delivers strategy instruction and academic coaching to all students, with focused expertise in supporting students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and other learning differences.
Assists students in integrating effective learning strategies that foster independence, self-advocacy, and confidence.
Facilitates one-on-one, paired, and small-group skill-building sessions and workshops designed using UDL-informed instructional practices.
Participates in the training and mentoring of peer tutors, with particular attention to inclusive tutoring practices and support for students with disabilities, in collaboration with the Assistant Director.
Maintains familiarity with assistive and instructional technologies and integrates both high- and low-tech tools to support flexible, accessible learning experiences.
Completes daily documentation and maintains accurate records related to tutoring, coaching, and student engagement.
Contributes to data collection, analysis, and monthly reporting to assess the effectiveness of learning strategies and services.
Engages in ongoing professional development related to UDL, learning sciences, disability access, and inclusive pedagogy, serving as both participant and presenter when appropriate.
Collaborates with the Office of Disabilities to support the development and implementation of reasonable accommodations within a broader framework of inclusive design.
Maintains regular communication with instructors and Learning Strategies Center staff (including the Director of Academic Support Services, Assistant Director, Testing Coordinator, Disability Specialist, professional tutors, and peer tutors) to evaluate and enhance academic support services.
Establishes, tracks, and reflects on annual goals related to professional growth, service visibility, inclusive practices, and support for students with disabilities.
Performs other related duties as assigned in support of the Learning Strategies Center and institutional mission.
Any and all other duties as assigned.