Learning Specialist

This position has a term length of 12 months.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus and Campus Saint-Jean, Edmonton, and there may be the possibility of up to 1 remote day per week after the onboarding period.

Reporting to the Director, Writing and Learning, Student Success and Experience, the Learning Specialist is responsible for the development and delivery of effective and efficient transitional, undergraduate, and/or graduate student learning supports.

Offering professional academic coaching to post-secondary learners, the Learning Specialist may be assigned to and/or specialize in various programs, areas of support, or specific student cohorts, including, among others: transition to university; undergraduate students; graduate students; international students; student-athletes; learners in professional programs (e.g., law students, nursing students, pharmacy students, medical students, medical residents); academic integrity; students on academic probation or enrolled in Fresh Start; adaptive technologies; learning disabilities; neurodivergent learners; and, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students. The Learning Specialist provides professional academic strategies support to students in all University of Alberta programs and at all achievement levels. 

The Learning Specialist in this role will dedicate some time (approximately up to 2 days per week) providing learning support in French to Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ) students. The Learning Specialist will work some of the hours allocated to providing learning support in French at La Centrale on the CSJ campus. The remaining hours will be spent providing learning support to students on North Campus.

• Identification of students’ learning needs and any challenges in the areas of time management, note-taking, exam prep, and presentation skills.
• Provision of non-credit in-person and/or online learning workshops and courses.
• Provision of effective individual academic strategies support to students in a wide range of campus programs, as well as with diverse backgrounds, learning needs, and skill sets.
• Discussion of responsible use of AI for studying.
• Development and facilitation of customized programming as requested by campus units, student groups, and other interested parties.
• Adaptation of approaches in the context of students’ academic program requirements, intersectional identities, and educational and cultural backgrounds.

• Master’s degree in a related field required, with a minimum of two years working in a post-secondary academic advising and/or learning strategist position; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. PhD preferred.
• Minimum two years’ teaching experience, preferably at post-secondary level.
• Must be fluent in French and English.
• Computer proficiency in relation to electronic records, curriculum development, communication, and e-learning technologies; intermediate or higher skills with Microsoft Suite, Word, Excel, Google Suite, and Canvas preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of post-secondary learning environments and University of Alberta services.
• Experience with diverse post-secondary student cohorts and challenges, including at-risk, English as a second/additional language, and special needs learners, as well as learners with learning accommodation requirements is an asset.
• Knowledge of University of Alberta policies, processes, faculties, and services, including SAIP, HIAR, POPA, and HSE.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work with highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Knowledge of AI tools to answer questions about responsible use.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Ability to make complex decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to triage and appropriately refer students who are in distress.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to interact knowledgeably, comfortably, positively and respectfully with diverse individuals with a broad range of credentials, abilities, and literacy/language skills.
• Familiarity with video-conferencing applications, including Google Meet and Zoom.
• Ability to conduct periodic evening and weekend programs and events.