Learning Strategist

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Learning Strategist works under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Academic Access, providing coaching and mentoring to students with disabilities in individual or small-group sessions. The role supports student-directed goals, self-advocacy, communication, habits and routines, critical self-reflection, and exploration of environmental factors affecting learning and development in higher education. Individualized strategies use disability-informed, strengths-based approaches to address students’ needs, including study skills, organization, active learning, information processing, executive functioning, workload management, and communication with faculty, staff, and others. The position manages a diverse caseload of UMASS students who are eligible for Learning Specialist Program support as an approved accommodation, and works with students and Access Coordinators to address disability-related barriers in academics and student life. During the summer, the Learning Strategist partners with academic departments and Student Success on initiatives for the next academic year, supports eligible students taking summer courses, and assists with persistence and retention following withdrawal, incompletes, or re-entry. The role also evaluates case-management needs and makes referrals, maintains current knowledge of professional practices, documents contacts and sessions, and complies with confidentiality requirements. The Learning Strategist supports Disability Services operations and disability awareness, access, and inclusion; develops effective working relationships; and fulfills applicable university compliance and workplace responsibilities. Work takes place in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion. The position is onsite in Amherst, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional nights and weekends and job-related travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Three years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Knowledge of the diverse social, cognitive, and educational needs and characteristics of individuals with disabilities.
Knowledge of disability-related learning and access issues in higher education settings.
Working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, the Fair Housing Act, and/or other relevant federal, state, and local laws as applied to higher education.
Understanding of the characteristics and accommodation requirements of people with a range of disabilities, with a focus on full engagement in campus life.
Strong oral and written interpersonal and communication skills.
Established skills using office suite software such as Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Teams, and web-based data management systems.
Ability to travel for job-related purposes.
Occasional nights and weekends are required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in education, student affairs, human services, special education, disability studies, rehabilitation, social work, or counseling.

Responsibilities

Meet with students with disabilities individually or in small groups to establish student-directed goals, practice self-advocacy and communication, build habits and routines, foster critical self-reflection, and explore environmental factors affecting learning.
Prepare individualized, disability-informed, strengths-based learning strategies, including study, reading, organizational, active learning, information-processing, communication, executive-functioning, and workload-management approaches.
Use appropriate disability- and social-justice-related theories to inform interactions and model coaching and mentoring approaches related to academics, disability identity, student development, and student success.
Manage a diverse caseload of UMASS students eligible for Learning Specialist Program support as an approved accommodation.
Work with students and Access Coordinators to address disability-related barriers in academics and student life.
During summer months, partner with academic departments and Student Success to plan initiatives for the next academic year; support eligible students enrolled in summer courses and students’ persistence and retention following withdrawal, incompletes, or re-entry.
Evaluate and prioritize case-management demands and make appropriate referrals to campus and community resources.
Maintain current standards of practice and keep abreast of emerging issues and practices in the field.
Keep careful, detailed records of contacts and sessions, including calls, faculty contacts, supervisory meetings, and correspondence.
Follow confidentiality standards under FERPA, ADA, Disability Services, and University requirements.
Support Disability Services operations and promote disability awareness, access, and inclusivity.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships within the work environment and campus community.
Perform related duties as assigned or required and meet responsibilities concerning Title IX, Clery, conflicts of interest, sensitive information, and a positive and respectful workplace.
Travel for job-related purposes as needed.