Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) Coordinator / Learning Specialist
University of North Dakota

Job Info

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Salary/Position Classification

• $45,000 - $49,006 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) Coordinator / Learning Specialist position is to provide comprehensive assistance to the Athletics Department in the area of academic services. This includes developing learning strategies that promote academic improvement & serving as an academic advisor, which includes, but is not limited to, assisting with class selection, monitoring graduation requirements/tracking on graduation, assisting students experiencing academic difficulties and setting educational goals, assisting with study tables, and arranging tutoring. This position is responsible for monitoring progress toward degree certification for NCAA eligibility (PTDs) as well as initial eligibility for PSA's for sports assigned. This position also assists with continuing eligibility of current student-athletes including monitoring, recording and reviewing academic progress, and communicating with staff and student-athletes, particularly for assigned teams.

This position will also assist with various internal operations tasks on a daily basis as assigned by the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS). Must have a commitment to compliance with all NCAA rules and Regulations. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Academic Learning Specialist Advising, Support & Strategy
  • Act as Learning Specialist on staff, monitoring students' day-to-day assignments & providing one-on-one support to help students be successful in all of their classes.
  • Co-supervision over all daily functions of the academic center.
  • Responsible for tracking study table hours of assigned teams.
  • Academic skill development for a caseload of at-risk student athletes from various team.
  • Provide individualized support of academic success plans in tracking, monitoring individual progress, teaching, helping develop lifetime skill to at-risk student athletes.
  • Communicating with coaches weekly to keep them informed and involved with their academic degree progress of student-athletes, including providing weekly grade reports.
  • Take a lead role in the monitoring and reporting of missed class time under the supervision of the Assistant Athletics Director for SASS.
  • Assist with scheduling conflicts and preparing academic progress reports for coaches and intercollegiate athletics staff.
  • Arrange tutor sessions for at-risk student-athletes by creating a schedule that accommodates both tutor and student.
  • Assist with Tutor coordination.
  • Build solid trusting relationships with all at-risk student-athletes.
  • Assists with annual Student-Athlete award nomination.
  • Assists with recruitment of prospects, coaches, and staff within NCAA guidelines.
  • Assists, if needed, in nomination process for Post Graduate scholarships and other NCAA and Conference academic honors for student-athletes.
• Monitor Degree Completion, Eligibility & Recruiting
  • Responsible for meeting with and developing individual academic plans (assisting with class selection, monitoring graduation requirements/transcripts/degrees and setting educational goals etc. as appropriate) for newly admitted UND student-athletes in assigned sports during the academic year and summer terms.
  • Assists with development of individual academic plans for "target group" student-athletes(assisting with class selection, monitoring graduation requirements and setting educational goals etc. as appropriate) for assigned sports.
  • Assist with coordination of summer school including selection of appropriate courses for student-athletes, development of overall academic plan and tracking on graduation requirements.
  • Responsible for monitoring academic progress, reviewing of academic records, assisting students experiencing academic difficulties (learning, psychological or physical), and assisting with the overall orientation of all student-athletes, if assigned, in conjunction with campus partners in student affairs
  • As assigned, utilizes UND Admissions and NCAA Eligibility Center to monitor and determine admissibility of future UND student-athletes and advise them as to proper preparation coursework or testing.
  • Utilize CAi, PeopleSoft, and Teamworks to monitor academic progress of student-athletes.
  • Serves as a liaison for Orientation and Admissions within Athletics as needed. Assist with communication with committed PSAs related to these areas and maintain tracking and communication with all students, student affairs offices, coaches, and staff year round as assigned. Orientating students regarding admissions, placement testing registration processes, policies/procedures, resources and programs could be part of this communication to PSAs and current SAs.
  • Assist with the coordination of Athletics specific orientation for all new SA arrivals at UND (fall and spring)
  • Assists with annual Student-Athlete Handbook Development and Production.
  • Draws on knowledge, experience, professional contacts, and skills related to student affairs to capitalize on opportunities and options for UND Athletics to optimize academic advising operations.
  • Work as needed with representatives from campus support service areas, departmental advisors, and faculty to facilitate cooperative agreement and working relationships between Athletics and those entities.
  • Assist with recruiting visits in sharing all information on services SASS provides.
  • Hire and supervise SASS interns and coordinate schedule and caseload.
• Other Duties
  • Responsible for assisting with the completion of accurate and timely academic reports for coaches and administration at the completion of each academic term (fall, spring, summer - grades and eligibility).
  • Assists in completion of APR and other NCAA and UND academic reports using CAi, PeopleSoft, Teamworks and LSDBi.
  • Assists with compiling AD Honor Rolls each semester and coordinates mid-term grade collection (progress reports).
  • Advocates the policies and procedures of the Office of Student-Athlete Support Services to all UND Athletics personnel.
  • Promote compliance with all NCAA rules and Regulations.

Required Competencies

• Must have effective professional working relationship with student-athletes, staff, administration, alumni, and general public.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), and computer skills.
• Ability to multi-task, organize, and prioritize.
• Ability to teach and work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Must have commitment to NCAA compliance and follow all NCAA, conference, and UND rules and regulations.
• Must have commitment to academic success of student-athletes.
• Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student athletes including having a valid driver's license.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1 year experience in college level academic advising or coaching.
• Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student athletes.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Successful completion of criminal history background check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an NCAA Division I, II, or III athletics department.
• 1 year of experience as a college level learning specialist.
• Experience with student-athlete based advising or coaching.
• Experience with TeamWorks or other applicable higher education software systems.
• Experience with developing student academic/learning skills.

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