Academic Counselor, Learning Specialist - Athletics

The department of Athletics at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Academic Counselor, Learning Specialist.

About the Opportunity

This position will develop a supportive, individualized approach for assisting the student academically. This includes but is not limited to: working with the student on remediation of fundamental skills needed for academic success; providing academic support services with study skills, note taking, time management skills, test-taking strategies and literacy skill development; providing assistance/additional instruction for academic course work - includes help with organizing, planning, editing and revising assignments, preparation for exams, developing strategies to help the student complete assigned coursework independently.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Coordinate and facilitate initial screening and diagnostic testing if needed of new student-athletes
• Coordinate and facilitate testing of current student-athletes in consultation with a licensed professional.
• Collaborate with necessary campus units
• Meet with prospective student-athletes during official and unofficial visits (weeknights and/or weekends may be required).
• Evaluate documentation to determine best practices to provide academic support to impacted student-athletes.
• Assist student-athletes in social and emotional areas that impact learning by assessing his or her needs and making appropriate referrals when necessary.
• Assist student-athletes in accessing available resources to improve his or her academic situation - i.e. learning disability assessment, disability accommodations, instructional assistance. Interpret and make recommendations for student-athlete based on testing results.
• Assist student-athletes registered with the Office of Accessibility Services with setting up accommodations each semester
• Collaborate with necessary campus units
• Evaluate student-athlete academic records to determine progress towards a degree and maintenance of eligibility. Requires knowledge of institutional and NCAA eligibility requirements. Inform coaches regarding institutional and NCAA requirements related to student-athlete's academic progress and eligibility.
• Monitor the Academic Progress Rate (APR) of assigned sports programs. Communicate regularly with the coach and respective sport administrator surrounding the APR of each program.
• Create class schedules for incoming student-athletes for summer, fall, and spring semesters.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Office of Accessibility Services and help coordinate intake interviews, learning disability testing, and follow-through with accommodations and services.
• Collaborate with other professionals and staff involved in the academic and personal development for student-athletes, i.e. educational counselors, coaches, faculty, tutors.
• Communicate with University advisors and Registrar's office to maintain up-to-date records of academic major requirements and changes to degree programs.
• Collaborate with the assistant learning specialists on academic tiering system, Summer Bridge, and academic testing
• Draft statistical and narrative reports as requested.
• Assist with the implementation and coordination of the Summer Bridge program.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services
• Maintain communications with athletic compliance office regarding legislation and interpretation of rules and regulations related to academic progress, summer school provisions, recruiting materials, NCAA Eligibility Center and other matters. Work with athletic compliance staff to provide information required to prepare eligibility waivers.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines of West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA; must adhere to NCAA Bylaw 11.1 Conduct of Athletic Personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination.
• Participate in the shared responsibility in maintaining the academic integrity essential for the University to accomplish its mission; adhere to the University's policies and guidelines regarding academic integrity and dishonesty.
• Exhibit a level of expertise in his/her professional fields; must also treat the academic requirements necessary for progress toward a degree as a matter of the highest priority for the student-athletes in their charge and must actively encourage student-athletes to succeed academically and graduate.
• Represent the University on the highest professional level with dignity, integrity, and strength of character and will exhibit ethical behavior; must respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial, ethnical and sexual orientation differences.
• Demonstrate a cooperative attitude towards all sports within the intercollegiate athletic program.
• Possess the ability to adapt to any situation, make decisions and work independently; position must have the ability to build and maintain relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff members and contractors; required to use creative abilities to develop new techniques and approaches in dealing with many issues controlled by this position; responsibilities of the position are ever-changing and require constant research and education; requires the ability to adapt to any situation and make decisions.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information related to student-athletes, coaches and staff utilizing discretion and correct decisions. Failure to use proper discretion at required level could result in major and significant embarrassment to the University and/or have a significant impact on image, revenues and eligibility of student-athletes.
• Manage professional and personal time to handle time sensitive-issues, tight deadlines, extended hours beyond the normal workday, weekend work, and on-call availability.
• Faithfully and diligently execute related duties of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as requested or assigned by Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services.

• Master's degree, preferably in education, sport management, special education, learning disabilities, educational therapy, counseling or similar field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience involving:
  
  
  
  • Teaching, tutoring or otherwise instructing students in a secondary or higher education environment.
  • Knowledge and expertise in effective learning strategies, assessment tools, motivational techniques and study skill development.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Maintain high standard of ethics and integrity related to intercollegiate athletics
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules, regulations and guidelines and ability to apply and enforce those rules
• Exhibit strong creative, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in English complex information or instructions
• Demonstrated knowledge of correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally under high stress and confrontational circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks for extended period of time
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and organize work
• Proactive attitude towards work and assignments
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and develop personal contacts with groups, i.e. student-athletes, coaches, faculty, community leaders, parents, University community
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Demonstrated knowledge of record keeping and adherence to schedule
• Ability to stay abreast of information impacting the affected area
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate groups and individuals
• Ability to maintain proper unit punctuality standards, work extended hours including nights and weekends (often with extensive walking and standing)
• Demonstrated ability to drive and travel via motor vehicle in town
• Demonstrated ability to manage personnel
• Ability to make administrative / procedural decisions and judgment
• Knowledge of higher education system and of counseling and advising techniques
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with students individually and in groups
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines and regulations

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.