Learning Specialist
Austin Peay State University
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Clarksville, TN, USA
Posted 6+ months ago
Position Summary Information
| Position Summary | The Learning Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing academic, social, and career readiness curricula for Full Spectrum Learning (FSL) and for maintaining a caseload of students throughout the academic year. This role includes teaching, coaching, and coordinating transition-related services for autistic students and alumni, including career preparation, post-graduation planning, and professional development. The Learning Specialist reports directly to the FSL Program Director. Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 180,000 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN. |
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| Primary Duties and Responsibilities | Case management: - Assess academic preparedness to evaluate learning deficits for current and prospective FSL students - Coach FSL students using the goal-setting model and assist students in developing learning strategies that support individual growth - Maintain regular communication with faculty, academic advisors, and other related personnel to monitor progress - Communicate with APSU SDRC to ensure students gain access to appropriate and reasonable accommodations to support success within the classroom, where applicable - Ensure that all FSL students are advised, registered, and receive a schedule each semester - Research best practices to further develop this portion of the program. - Ensure all meeting notes are entered daily. Instructor: - Stay current with new developments in teaching methods and educational psychology related to autism. - Assist the Director in updating and developing the FSL Curriculum. - Create lesson plans and collaborate with guest speakers for the FSL courses to meet all students’ needs based on data collected during evaluations - Collaborate with APSU Career Services and local businesses to offer internships and job shadowing opportunities. - Observe students’ behavior in the FSL classroom to identify any problems that may affect the student’s ability to learn in other classrooms - Co-teach and Mentor interns/Graduate Teaching Assistants on developing classroom strategies for their select sections of FSL Courses - Co-lead summer transition programs for high school students preparing for college and college students entering the workforce Career Transition Coordination: - Oversee all career development and transition services for FSL students and alumni, including coordination of the annual Reverse Career Fair, individualized career coaching, and alumni engagement - Design and lead a comprehensive Summer Transition Program to support autistic students transitioning from college to the workforce, addressing employment readiness, workplace self-advocacy, financial literacy, and independent living - Collaborate with APSU Career Services and community partners to connect students with work-based learning opportunities, including internships, job shadowing, and pre-employment experiences aligned with students’ strengths and goals - Build and sustain relationships with inclusive employers to expand neurodiverse hiring pipelines and create meaningful employment pathways for FSL graduates - Track and evaluate post-graduation outcomes to inform continuous program improvement and enhance long-term student success - Supervise interns or graduate assistants assisting with transition programming and represent FSL on institutional and external committees focused on workforce readiness and disability inclusion |
| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | - Knowledge of ASD and the impact on individuals in an educational setting - Ability to interpret and evaluate ASD-related documentation, including IEPs, 504 Plans, and ASD diagnostic evaluations, to assess the readiness level of FSL applicants. - Knowledge of transition programming models and best practices in career readiness for neurodiverse students - Research/assessment skills and grant writing ability - Ability to maintain required duties of this position while developing collaborative relationships - Supervisory skills necessary to support the development of mentors and teaching assistants - Ability to work some evenings/weekends as needed for events related to ASD - Ability to maintain confidential case files and records - Openness to feedback/Demonstrates evidence of implementation of program suggestions made by supervisors |
| Physical Requirements | - Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects |
| Required Minimum Qualifications | - Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social work, Psychology, or related Social Science fields - Experience teaching or supporting students with ASD. - Extensive knowledge of learning differences and strategies. - Strong interpersonal and communication skills. - Ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, parents, and a variety of campus and community stakeholders - Autism training/certification required, or FSL will provide it within 6 months of hire - Career Services Provider Certification required, or FSL will provide it within 6 months of hire - A background search will be required of the successful applicant. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree and experience working in a higher education setting with individuals with ASD Experience with curriculum development and transition program implementation |