Learning Specialist

Directs team scheduling and maintenance, monitors compliance and athlete eligibility, and implements strategic measures to ensure proper program operations while maintaining compliance and efficiency within the department.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary academic mentor for high-risk student-athletes across all sports.
• Conduct regular individual and group academic meetings focused on developing and reinforcing learning strategies.
• Develop and/or strengthen academic skills including time management, organization, study skills, subject-specific tutoring (math, science, general studies), and prioritization across all related subject areas.
• Create and maintain individualized academic calendars highlighting key assignments and exam dates.
• Track academic progress through grade monitoring tools and project semester outcomes.
• Communicate student progress regularly with Academic Coaches.
• Assist in coordinating the Emerging Scholars Program to monitor and support academically at-risk student-athletes.
• Assist with scheduling mentoring and tutoring assignments.
• Assist with the administration of assessment tools (e.g., reading, writing, study skills) for incoming student-athletes.
• Deliver training and ongoing support for OSAD staff, academic mentors, and tutors in effective learning strategies.
• Develop and implement educational workshops for student-athletes and staff, covering key academic skills.
• Attend required SDA/OSAD meetings, trainings, workshops, and orientations.
• Maintain compliance with NCAA, Big-12, and university academic support regulations.
• Assist with program assessments and contribute to continuous improvement of academic support services.
• Adhere to the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) and HIPAA guidelines.
• Appropriate use of Teamworks Academics, Hub, TCR, Peoplesoft, or other NCAA/University learning software.
• Each staff member has oversight of an OSAD/SDA project or program (programming responsibilities to be determined).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
• Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and coordination.
• Experience working with student-athletes or high-risk student populations in a post-secondary academic support setting.
• Knowledge of learning strategies, assessment tools, and accommodations for students with learning disabilities.
• Familiarity with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
• Experience with NCAA rules and regulations.
• Experience relating effectively with students, coaches, staff members, and faculty.
• Experience creating individual academic support plans and graduation plans.
• Experience referring student-athletes to appropriate college campus resources to provide assistance for academic success.
• Experience conducting oneself with uncompromising integrity, exercising sound judgment, and handling sensitive, confidential information with discretion, according to FERPA guidelines.

Qualifications

Evidence of a master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Pay

$52,000 - $58,000; depends on experience

Benefits

• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Health insurance.
• Free mental health resources.
• Employee discounts.
• Generous tuition discount for employees, their spouses, dependents, and retirees.
• Unique access to sporting events and athletic-related discounts.
• Up to 24 hours of professional development opportunities per year.

Working Environment

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting.
• Required to stand for limited lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Periodic bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.

Sun Devil Athletics (SDA) programs are elite, high-profile Division I programs competing in the Big 12 conference. The vision of SDA is to be a comprehensive perennial top-ten NCAA Division I athletics program that empowers Sun Devils to maximize human potential and make a positive impact on the university, community, and the world.