Learning Specialist

Utah State University (USU) in beautiful Logan, UT is looking to hire a Learning Specialist for the Office of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence. 

The Learning Specialist reports to the Assistant Director for Learning Excellence within the Student Achievement Collaborative. In this academic-year position, you will have the opportunity to:

• Teach Habits of Mind and Learning Strategies courses.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrated habits of mind and learning strategies in academic courses.
• Make an impact in the lives of incoming and new college students.

As a USU employee you will receive: 13 paid holidays per year, earn 12 days of sick leave per year, 14.2% of gross income paid to a retirement account, excellent health and dental insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and tuition reduction benefits. See more at https://www.usu.edu/hr/compensation/calculator.

1.  Teach Habits of Mind and Learning Strategies Courses

• Teach USU 1730: Strategies for Academic Success, a 3-credit course that Orients students to the systems, tools, and resources unique to higher education that are needed to maximize academic and helps students develop critical thinking, study, and learning strategies necessary for college success.
• Teach Habits of Mind courses, 1-credit courses taught during 7-week sessions. These includes:
  • USU 1020: Planning for College Success. This introductory course focuses on the theory and practice of effective planning, including time management, organizational skills, adult mindset, and motivation. These course skills enable students to optimize their ability to have success in academic and other environments.
  • USU 1040: Learning for College Success. This introductory course focuses on developing academic skills, beliefs, and behaviors for implementation in and out of class.
  • USU 1060: Reading for College Success. This introductory course focuses on practical application of learning science and strategies and the development of critical thinking skills needed to comprehend and distill meaning from college-level texts].
  • USU 1070: Success in STEM. This introductory course focuses on assisting students in achieving success in STEM environments, particularly mathematics, statistics, biology, and chemistry. The course focus is to enhance students’ ability to recognize and avoid common difficulties i STEM-related areas:
    • Provide assessment, feedback, and support to students attending these courses.
    • Use and integrate technology enhancements such as PowerPoint, Kaltura/Web Conferencing, Canvas, and multi-media.
    • Evaluate effectiveness of teaching strategies and make necessary adjustments for improvement. 

2.  Support USU Faculty to Develop and Integrate Learning Strategies and Habits of Mind into Curriculum

• Collaborate with stakeholders around campus to integrate learning strategies into USU classes.
• Development and delivery of marketing, presentations, workshops, and seminars for campus partners in support of general education.

3.  Academic Success Coaching

• Meet with continuing and admitted students to support the following outcomes.
  • Increased academic confidence and a sense of academic belonging.
  • Consistent student progress toward completion of the earned admission process.
  • Learning excellence through the development of habits of mind and learning strategies.
    • Future initiatives designed to improve the yield and future retention of admitted students through academic belonging and learning excellence.

4.  Contribute to Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence Initiatives, Responsibilities, and Culture

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in applicable discipline, OR a bachelor’s degree plus two years of teaching experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and teaching experience.
• Demonstrated competencies in learning excellence and habits of mind.
• Proven computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite programs, and a willingness and ability to learn additional computer software programs including the LMS, SIS, Canvas, etc.
• Committed to providing an equitable and accessible standard of care for all USU students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge regarding Utah State University services, academic policies, procedures, and resources.
• Involvement in student support and/or success programming within a higher education setting.
• Experience developing curriculum.
• Trained in teaching reading for comprehension at a collegiate level.
• Trained in teaching STEM.
• Spanish speaker.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

1. Displayed communication skills including the ability to effectively convey information verbally and in writing.
2. Exhibited attention to detail.
3. Demonstrated ability to innovate and adapt strategy to improve learning outcomes.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Teaching Philosophy to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The purpose of the Office of Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence is to empower students to reach their goal of earning a degree from Utah State University. We accomplish this through intentional collaboration with students, faculty, support professionals, and university administrators. To learn more, please visit: https://www.usu.edu/able

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

* updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov