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.

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 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

- 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

- 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