"Learning Specialist"

Learning Specialist

Company: Austin Peay State University

Job Location: Clarksville, 37044

Category: Tutors and Learning Resources

Type: Full-Time

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.

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

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
• 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
• Career Services Provider Certification

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