Student Affairs

Neurodiverse Student Specialist

SUNY Old Westbury

Old Westbury, NY United States

The primary purpose of this position is to support neurodiverse learners with innovative pedagogy and dedicated academic services, including one-to-one and group tutoring and workshops.  This position will also provide consultations and professional development programming for faculty and learning center staff on supporting neurodiverse students.  The Neurodiverse Support Specialist will also provide administrative support for the University's Learning Centers.   

This is a full-time, twelve (12) month, two (2) year, grant funded position.

Reporting to the Assistant Provost, the Neurodiverse Student Specialist will:

  • Provide face-to-face (F2F) and virtual tutoring to individual students and small groups in reading, writing, and quantitative reasoning as well as strategies for effective study habits and academic success.  
  • Provide writing support for every stage of the writing process (including brainstorming, outlining, organization, paragraph development, analysis, and sentence-level clarity) and for a wide range of assignments across disciplines as well as personal statements for graduate and professional programs.
  • Assess individual learning needs and provide or arrange regular support and instruction as needed.
  • Design and implement educational support activities, materials, programs, services and workshops to meet the needs of neurodiverse students. 
  • Design and lead professional development trainings in neurodivergent pedagogy for faculty, staff and learning center personnel.
  • Consult with individual faculty and campus committees about supporting neurodiverse students.
  • Liaison between OSSD, learning centers, faculty, and advisors to maximize student success.
  • Assist with Learning Center administration including mentoring peer tutors, maintaining center schedules, and managing day-to-day operations.
  • Lead and/or attend all in-house training and professional development meetings.
  • Represent the Learning Centers at Campus Open House and other campus events.
  • Develop and assist with campus initiatives to support neurodiverse students.
  • Pursue professional development in higher education pedagogy and neurodiversity.
  • Participate on campus committees as directed.
  • Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and occasional weekend hours.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited university or college (foreign equivalent or higher) preferably in Special Education, Disability Studies, Psychology, or related field.
  • A minimum of three (3) years of full-time of relevant experience and/or related work experience, inclusive of working and providing academic support services to students that are neurodiverse in collaboration with staff and faculty in the support of these students for successful academic outcomes.  Experience is to entail working with a diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and/or learning abilities.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong listening, analytical, and problem-solving skills in work with academic staff and students.
  • Experience teaching writing, reading, and/or academic skills in the classroom or Writing Center to neurodiverse students at the secondary or college level.  (Experience as a student teacher qualifies.)    
  • Familiarity with a range of academic subjects and conventions of writing and speaking; able and willing to learn unfamiliar conventions and genres.
  • Knowledge of regulations and laws associated with ADA and accommodations for people with disability.
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and according to FERPA guidelines.
  • Knowledge and expertise in effective learning strategies, assessment tools, motivational techniques and study skill development to support students with neurodiversity to aid in developing the necessary skills to be successful students.
  • Experience working with a culturally diverse, neurodiverse student population.
  • Ability to interact with individuals of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
  • Proficient in online pedagogy.
  • Proficient in MS Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Special Education, Disability Studies, Psychology, or related field or certification in working with students with disabilities preferred.
  • Experience teaching or tutoring in college or university writing centers.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues, faculty, and campus staff to support neurodiverse students.
  • Experience with Ellucian Banner, EAB Navigate, and WCOnline.

 


Additional Information:

Salary Range:  $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 commensurate with experience and education

Comprehensive Benefits:   https://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/benefits/benefit-summaries/FTUUPbenefitsummary-Jan-2024.pdf

Position Type:  Professional

Official Budget Title:  Senior Staff Assistant

Campus Title:  Neurodiverse Support Specialist

Department:  Student Success

FTE:  Full-time

Negotiating Unit:  UUP

Salary Grade:  SL-3

FLSA Status:  Exempt

The successful candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

The State University of New York at Old Westbury is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in the selection process, please contact the Office of Human Resources/Affirmative Action located in the Campus Center, Room I-211 or by calling (516) 876-3179.

The Annual Security and Fire Report is filed as required by federal law. The purpose of this report is to provide faculty, staff and students with campus safety information, including crime statistics and safety policies and procedures. The report contains information regarding security and personal safety, including topics such as crime prevention, fire safety, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the previous three calendar years. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the University Police Department (516) 876-3333 or by downloading a copy.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov. 


Requirements

  • Start Date: 6/6/2024 - Approximate
  • Education: Master's Degree Required
  • Work Experience: 3 - 5 years
  • Part/Full Time: Full-Time

Contact / Additional Information

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following online at https://oldwestbury.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=174766

  1. cover letter,
  2. resume,
  3. contact information (name, email address and telephone number) for three (3) references, and
  4. a fully completed Old Westbury employment application (available during the online application process).

Only applications submitted online will be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:  Open until filled.  Review of application to begin immediately.

VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

We encourage protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, women and minorities to apply.

Employment in this position will be contingent on the College's verification of credentials and any other information required by federal or state law, and SUNY Old Westbury polices, including the completion of pre-employment screening.