Learning Specialist

Location: Los Angeles, California | Full-time

About the role

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Office of Academic Excellence, in partnership with 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. The Learning Specialist supports the academic success and retention of student-athletes by providing individualized academic support, learning strategy development, time management skill development, and targeted intervention for students with diverse learning needs.

This role collaborates closely with academic advisors, eligibility staff, coaches, faculty, and campus partners to promote student-athlete achievement while ensuring compliance with NCAA and University standards. The Learning Specialist utilizes student-athletes’ educational history, placement results, educational interviews, and athletic medicine and coaching input to develop, implement, and monitor individualized academic support plans, which may include weekly learning specialist, academic mentor, and/or peer learning (tutoring) support.

Responsibilities

• Support a caseload of student-athletes and assigned teams, serving as a liaison to campus and department resources.
• Collaborate with College academic counselors, other learning specialists, peer learning and eligibility staff, and campus resources to provide initial and ongoing training for academic mentors and peer learning facilitators (tutors).
• Collaborate with multiple support service providers on campus and within athletics, making referrals as needed to provide enriched student-athlete academic support.
• Develop proactive and responsive programming founded on campus academic integrity policies that honor FERPA confidentiality safeguards.
• Apply knowledge of NCAA, Conference, UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and University policies, rules, and regulations.
• Fulfill administrative roles, including grade and progress checks and reports, communicating with coaches regarding academic progress, and contributing to unit-wide programming (e.g., eligibility meetings, Bruin Bridge summer orientation, orientation sessions, and special events like the Student-Athlete Graduation Celebration).
• Travel occasionally to support student-athletes at away competitions as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience required; Master’s Degree in Education or Counseling is preferred.
• Experience working with college students in an academic support or advising role.
• Experience supporting at-risk students and students with learning differences.
• Strong academic coaching and learning strategy development skills.
• Knowledge of regulations and laws associated with ADA and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and according to FERPA guidelines.
• Skill in working independently and following through on duties with minimal direction.
• Ability to effectively counsel and refer students to campus resources for assistance with professional, academic, and/or personal matters.
• Ability to interact diplomatically with individuals of diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including proficiency in writing memos/reports with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to establish and interact collaboratively and effectively with staff, student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the UCLA community.
• Working knowledge of collegiate athletics and student-athlete demands.
• Ability to work collaboratively in time-sensitive or high-pressure situations with students, coaches, academic personnel, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to work in-person on the UCLA campus during regular work hours (Monday–Friday).

Pay

Targeted annual salary range of $72,240.00 - $75,000.00.

Benefits

• Full health benefits.
• Membership in the UC Retirement Plan.