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Learning Specialist

UTAustin • UT MAIN CAMPUS • Full-time

$63,000

per year

Instructional Design Curriculum Development Teaching online education Learning Specialist

Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Learning Specialist

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Hiring Department:

UT High School

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

The Learning Specialist IV serves as an instructional leader in online education for grades 9–12, supporting high-quality course development, instructional delivery, and student achievement across academic subjects, Advanced Placement (AP), College and Career Readiness Standards, and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. Responsibilities include course and exam design, instructional coaching, student mentoring, test preparation, and data-informed curriculum improvement. The Learning Specialist also leads the development and auditing of Credit by Exams (CBEs) across grades K–12. This role collaborates with subject matter experts, instructional designers, and technology teams to develop engaging, inclusive, and accessible learning experiences, while continuously refining instructional strategies and course materials to meet evolving student needs. This position plays a vital role in ensuring equitable access to rigorous virtual learning pathways that prepare students for post-secondary success.

Responsibilities

Instructional Design and Assessment Development (70%)

Design and revise online courses, exams, and instructional materials aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), AP frameworks, College and Career Readiness Standards, and CTE expectations.
Ensure instructional materials are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with best practices in online learning for diverse student populations.
Develop scope and sequences, study guides, instructional graphics, videos, and assessments that promote student engagement and achievement.
Continuously evaluate and enhance course content based on student performance data, instructor feedback, and emerging best practices in virtual instruction.
Plan and lead targeted test preparation learning sessions for course tests, STAAR, AP exams, and final exams.
Analyze teacher instructional data and grading trends to inform course adjustments, coaching strategies, and instructional resource needs.
Analyze student performance data to identify trends, instructional gaps, and areas for curriculum improvement.
Use data insights to adjust course pacing, modify instructional approaches, and refine assessment strategies.
Develop and present reports on academic and instructional performance to support planning and continuous improvement.

Instructor & Student Support (20%)

Coach online teachers to enhance instructional practices, student engagement, and standards alignment.
Provide coaching support through methods such as co-teaching, modeling instructional strategies, small group facilitation, and student mentoring.
Support instructors in integrating College and Career Readiness Standards and CTE learning outcomes into instructional planning.
Model effective strategies for virtual instruction and provide feedback on grading, pacing, and student communication.
Mentor students identified through pacing or academic performance data, offering targeted academic support and regular check-ins.

Assessment Oversight (5%)

Design, audit, and maintain Credit by Exams (CBEs) for grades K–12
Proctor assessments in compliance with district and testing agency policies, reporting irregularities when applicable.
Communicate with families, instructors, and external partners regarding exam expectations, procedures, and policies.
Participate in the annual TEA audit process for CBEs and coordinate responses to required revisions or improvements.

Collaboration and Outreach (5%)

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support district-wide goals and initiatives.
Partner with external districts and education stakeholders to support implementation of online AP, CTE, and standards-based learning pathways.
Represent UTHSD at events, conferences, and school visits; occasional travel may be required.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in education, English Language Arts, or a closely related field and five years of secondary teaching experience, or bachelor’s degree and seven years of secondary teaching experience. Texas Teacher Certification in high school English Language Arts and at least three years of experience teaching secondary English Language Arts courses in Texas public schools. Experience designing instruction and assessments for high school English Language Arts courses. Comprehensive understanding of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), STAAR expectations, and best practices in English Language Arts instruction and assessment. Experience implementing support for a variety of student group needs, including emergent bilingual, Gifted/Talented, and special education students. Successful experience supporting students to achieve targeted objectives and tracking and reporting student data. Experience with online instruction. Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task with high level of proficiency. Professional demeanor. Exceptional organizational and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in education, an English Language Arts, or a closely related field. More than five years of teaching experience. More than three years of experience teaching secondary English Language Arts courses in Texas public schools. Experience teaching multiple high school English Language Arts or Speech courses, including Pre-AP/AP, Honors, Dual Credit, or IB. Three or more years’ experience in a leadership role in an educational setting. Experience developing and delivering professional development to educators. In-depth understanding of the TEKS, Texas Education Code, FERPA, and graduation requirements. Extensive knowledge of best practices in assessment proctoring and scoring. Experience working with K-12 English Language Arts curriculum, instruction, or assessment in a learning management system. Educator certification in multiple subject areas. Experience developing or facilitating online instruction. Experience leading trainings for teachers for curriculum, social emotional, G/T, Advanced Placement, or English learner strategies. Experience with blended learning instruction. Experience presenting or marketing at conferences.

Salary Range

$63,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions
Use of manual dexterity
Position may require occasional work outside the normal work week
Must be able to push, pull, lift, and/or carry at least 30 lbs.
Prolonged and repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Required Materials

Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.