Learning Specialist

STDT ACAD SPEC 3 (004550)

UCPath Position ID: 40139222

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1123261

Approved Date:

6/10/2024 4:14:01 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/10/2024 4:13:58 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

10/26/2022

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6000O

Organization:

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS              

Division Code:

5501D

Division:

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS              

Department:

374500 - INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40139222

Position Description ID

171214

UC Payroll Title:

STDT ACAD SPEC 3 (004550)

Business Title:

Learning Specialist

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 21

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40043747

Reports to Payroll Title:

STDT ACAD MGR 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40713754

Department Head Payroll Title:

ATH MGR 4 PAC12

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of Academic Excellence, jointly administered through the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Division of Undergraduate Education - College of Letters & Science, provides support to more than 650 student-athletes in 25 sports throughout the academic year and summer sessions. Our student-centered approach empowers student-athletes to maximize their educational experience while pursuing academic, athletic, and personal goals. Our mission centers on graduating self-sufficient learners who successfully embark on life after college.

The Learning Specialist reports directly to the Associate Athletic Director of Academic Excellence to support the unique needs of each student-athlete in achieving academic success while balancing athletic commitments.

The Learning Specialist embodies the Academic Excellence mission by encouraging student-athletes to explore, implement and maximize academic and personal talents, interests and opportunities. The Learning Specialist utilizes student-athletes' educational history, placement results, educational interviews, and athletic medicine and coaching input to collaboratively develop, implement and monitor student-athletes' individualized academic support plans, which may include weekly learning specialist, academic mentor and/or peer learning (tutoring) support, for assigned student-athletes.

The Learning Specialist supports a caseload of student-athletes utilizing a self-regulated approach that promotes active learning strategies to develop and enhance critical thinking, close reading, and academic writing. In addition, the Learning Specialist serves as a liaison to campus and department resources to promote access and inclusion for meaningful engagement with academic, co-curricular, and health and wellness resources and tools.

Working jointly with the College academic counselors, other learning specialists, peer learning and compliance staff, as well as campus resources, the Learning Specialist provides initial and ongoing training for academic mentors and peer learning facilitators (tutors) pertaining to student development theory, self-regulated learning strategies, and University resources. As needed, the Learning Specialist team provides orientation and training regarding University and Department resources to staff and campus partners.

The Learning Specialist will also collaborate with multiple support service providers on campus and within athletics to develop and implement policies and programs to provide enriched student-athlete academic support. The Learning Specialist develops proactive and responsive programming founded on campus academic integrity policies that also honor FERPA confidentiality safeguards. The Learning Specialist will also have knowledge of NCAA, Conference, UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and University policies, rules and regulations.

Finally, the Learning Specialist fulfills several administrative roles, including grade and progress checks and reports, contributing to unit- wide programming including Eligibility Check-in meetings, Bruin Bridge (summer orientation program), orientation sessions, as well as events like the Scholar-Athlete Banquet, and Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration.

Academic Support

 • Identify the level of academic support needed for assigned incoming student-athletes using academic history, placement exams, constituent input, and/or educational interviews.

 • Collaborate with staff from the Office of Academic Excellence to develop quarterly individualized academic support plans for assigned student-athletes and teams, which may include learning specialist, academic mentor and/or peer learning support.

 • Utilize a variety of strategies to promote student engagement and progress; assess student- athletes’ academic progress and implement necessary changes to academic support plans.

20%

Academic Support

 • Schedule weekly individual learning specialist sessions with assigned student-athletes to promote metacognition and self-regulated learning in the areas of motivation, methods of learning, use of time, physical and social environment management, and academic performance management. Sessions will provide instruction in academic strategies such as time management, critical thinking, reading, the revision process, note taking and test taking strategies.

 • Support assigned student-athletes in program planning (course selection) process by reviewing academic and personal interests, goals, strengths and areas for growth; consult with College Academic Counselors and/or Eligibility Coordinators to provide appropriate guidance.7. Other duties as assigned by the Assoc AD for Academic Excellence.

20%

Administration

 • Collect, synthesize and distribute academic mentor and learning specialist session reports to coaches and administrators.

 • Manage confidential records, build confidentiality safeguards, educate student-athletes on privacy protocols, and monitor the dissemination of academic and personal information.

 • Participate in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, if assigned.

 • Other duties as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Excellence.

25%

Advocacy

 • Practice and promote equity and inclusion in interactions with students, staff, and faculty and community members.

 • Provide student-athletes with an orientation to academic support services and campus resources via student orientation sessions, Bruin Bridge, , athletic team meetings, and Learning Specialist sessions on an as-needed basis.

 • Provide referral services to the Center for Accessible Education, Counseling & Psychological Services and other relevant academic and wellness campus support.

 • Partner with Sports Medicine, the Director of Student-Mental Health Programs and other University support staff to refer students to support services.

 • Guide student-athletes in identifying academic strengths, opportunities for growth and effective learning strategies.

15%

Advocacy

 • Educate and refer student-athletes to educational assessment and psychological-educational testing as needed.

 • Monitor utilization of approved accommodations and services for assigned caseload.

 • Within the limits of confidentiality, communicate regularly with staff from the Office of Academic Excellence regarding student progress as well as program development.

 • Other duties as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Excellence.

5%

Professional Development, Academic Support Staff Training and Staff Support

 • Engage in ongoing professional development in active and engaging learning strategies, inclusion

 • and equity-minded practice, & health & wellness resources & support.

 • Provide training sessions to OAE staff, academic mentors and/or peer learning facilitators (tutors) on self-regulated learning, metacognition, student development theory, active learning strategies or other topics, as assigned.

 • Serve as a resource for OAE staff, coaches and administrators in the areas of learning strategies, accessible education & advocacy.

 • Support the academic mentor program, by assisting with the recruitment, hiring and assignment of academic mentors/interns; develop and deliver training curriculum and contribute to the planning of the professional development series for academic mentors.

10%

Rules Compliance

• Comply with all Federal, State, University and Department requirements established pursuant to Title IX, including the mandatory reporting requirements for a “Responsible Employee.”

 • The DIA is governed by the NCAA, BIG10 and University of California.  The incumbent is required to comply with the applicable rules, regulations and policies of those organizations.

    ◦ Review and retain all rules compliance disseminated by the DIA Compliance office.

    ◦ Report all NCAA/BIG10 violations.

    ◦ Sign the annual NCAA Certification of Compliance form.

    ◦ Complete the Athletically Related Income form annually.

    ◦ Comply with California State Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) Law and adhere to mandatory reporting guidelines.

5%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Required

Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling

Preferred

Experience supporting at-risk students and students with learning differences

Required

Knowledge of effective learning strategies and academic development

Required

Knowledge of regulations and laws associated with ADA and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities

Required

Demonstrate ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and according to FERPA guidelines

Required

Skill in working independently and following through on duties with minimal direction

Required

Ability to effectively counsel and refer students to campus resources for assistance with professional, academic, and/or personal matters

Required

Ability to interact diplomatically with individuals of diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds

Required

Outstanding communication skills both oral and written, including skill in writing memos/reports and using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation

Required

Ability to establish and interact collaboratively and effectively with other staff, student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the UCLA community

Required

Outstanding listening, analytical, and problem-solving skills in work with academic staff and student-athletes

Required

Working knowledge of collegiate athletics and student-athlete demands

Required

Ability to work collaboratively in situations that may be time sensitive or otherwise highly pressured, with a variety of individuals including students, coaches, academic personnel, faculty and staff

Required

Working knowledge of NCAA, conference, UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and University policies, rules, and regulations and the ability to adhere to and comply with those rules and regulations

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

10%

Ability to travel occasionally to support student-athletes at away competitions.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

JD Morgan Center. Los Angeles, CA 90095

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

X

Climbing

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.