Overview
The TRIO Student Support Services Learning Specialist will convey a passion for learning by providing specific learning strategies and fostering academic support programs to enrich USU Blanding first-generation, low-income students’ academic performances. Incumbents will teach skills in individual and group sessions with the goal of improving study skills, learning strategies, academic efficiency, time management, and confidence in the following general fields of knowledge: reading, English, math, science and statistics. Expert knowledge in all fields is not mandatory upon hiring, but training for competency will be required post-hire.
The Learning Specialist position is full-time (40 hours per week) on a 10-month work schedule (August 1 through June 1) within a 12-month fiscal year that includes two months off during the summer contingent upon federal grant funding. Current grant funding is secured through August 31, 2031. For the past 45 years, each cycle of the TRIO SSS grant has been secured at USU Blanding and its prior campus designations without interruption due to the high need of its unique first-generation, low-income student population.
The Learning Specialist reports to the TRIO Student Support Services Director and may train and guide student employees.
Responsibilities
- Teaches study strategies and learning skills with an emphasis on cognitive and behavioral psychology theories and models.
- Conducts individual counseling and assistance to help improve learning skills, strategies and attitudes.
- Provides general orientation and individual assessment of study strategies, time management, and organizational skills as well as disability related counseling.
- Assists in recruiting, training and supervising students as tutors when necessary.
- Evaluates activities, program effectiveness, and performance reports as requested.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with University departments, faculty and staff to provide information regarding the TRIO SSS program, services and retention.
- Attends core courses and training in order to specialize in subject areas to meet the needs of current USU Blanding TRIO SSS participants.
- Develops curriculum and instructional materials and teaches undergraduate course USU 1060: Reading for College Success.
- Incorporates a variety of new technologies to reach all types of learners.
- Develops assessments to measure how well students have learned material and adjusts instructional methods accordingly.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience or a Master’s degree is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of current methods of enhancing skills required for excellent academic performance
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Skilled in maintaining tact and equanimity when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
- Oral and written communication skills.
- Skilled with computers and associated software.
- Ability to provide supplemental instruction in specific course areas as needed.
- Ability to understand the needs of disadvantaged students.
- Ability to instruct in areas of academic skill and strategy weakness.
- Knowledge of education-impacting and evidence-based intervention strategies.
- Knowledge of approved and appropriate academic accommodations.
- Knowledge of university resources.
- Classroom teaching ability.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
Transcripts to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
Teaching Philosopy to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
Answer the following questions within the application:
- Explain your ability to develop and adapt in an academic support setting.
- What is your communication philosophy with students and team-members and how do you handle conversations when the stakes are high?
- Explain your level of passion for learning and how this would transfer to encouraging student success.
- How would you facilitate one-on-one learning environments as well as create group student sessions with first-generation, low-income students?
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
$40,000 to $44,000, commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits
ADA
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 employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
University Highlights
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. 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. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. 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 a reasonable accommodation 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 [email protected].
*updated 07/2026
Notice of Non-discrimination
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, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
Old Main Room 405
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322
[email protected]
(435) 797-1266
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| [email protected]
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | [email protected]
*updated 08/2026
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