OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles - driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.
Reporting to the Manager, Student Writing, Communication and Learning Support, the Learning Skills Specialist develops, plans and delivers learning support programs for undergraduate and graduate students at OCAD University (OCAD U) to support their academic success and promote their engagement with scholarly, creative and disciplinary discourses and communities with an emphasis on reducing barriers to learning for disabled students, including those registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). The Learning Skills Specialist collaborates with program staff to build capacity for learning support across Centre programs and service areas and works closely with SAS staff to facilitate holistic student supports, contributing to initiatives that address the intersectional learning experiences and enhance access to learning for OCAD U’s diverse student body. This role broadly serves as a resource in the areas of student learning skills development and accessible student-centred pedagogy, informed by a commitment to decolonizing, anti-racist approaches and an understanding of Disability Studies theory and practice.
The Learning Skills Specialist works within the Centre for Learning & Teaching (CLT) as part of a larger team delivering a range of programs and services for faculty, students, Teaching Assistants and other instructional staff. Together, they collaborate with the university community to provide leadership and support that creates and sustains equitable and engaging teaching and learning environments for all OCAD University students.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangements; however, a minimum of three days per week of on campus work is required with flexibility to adjust the days and times of work on campus to meet programming needs.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Participate in portfolio-wide program planning processes with reference to emerging student needs, curricular changes and OCAD University’s Academic and Strategic Plan
- Develop and deliver learning support programs (e.g. one-on-one, small group, peer-based, co-curricular, classroom-based) to facilitate student learning skills development with an emphasis on supporting the success of disabled students; consult with SAS staff and other stakeholders to identify ongoing and emerging student needs and to inform program development and delivery priorities
- Provide individual learning skills consultations for students drawing from learning strategy best practice
- Develop and provide student support, resources and learning opportunities in the use of learning technologies and applications for navigating and reducing barriers to learning and enhancing academic success
- Develop and deliver learning skills training and resources for program staff as part of annual pre-service and in-service tutor education to build capacity for learning skills support across program and service areas
- In consultation with the Lead, Co-Curricular and Peer Learning Programs, develop and deliver student learning skills-building workshops as part of student transition, orientation and retention programming with an emphasis on supporting the success of disabled students; collaborate with SAS to develop and deliver academic orientation and transition programming for students with disabilities
- Collaborate with the Lead, Co-curricular and Peer Learning Programs to develop and deliver academic skills workshops for students on probation
- Work closely with SAS to deliver student programming and faculty supports, as required, that strengthens access and accommodations processes for disabled students, including students registered with SAS
- Support the delivery of undergraduate academic integrity consultations and other resources as required; complete related reporting requirements
- Develop and maintain student learning resources to support their success in in person, blended and online learning environments and across all course types (e.g. studio, seminar, lecture)
- In consultation with the Lead, Co-Curricular and Peer Learning Programs, contribute to the development and implementation of student learning support program policies and procedures
- Facilitate timely and effective student referrals within the Centre and between the Centre, SAS and other areas of the university
- Develop web content as required and contribute to promotional and outreach initiatives related to learning skills programs and services
- Undertake research to identify promising practices and provide expertise and guidance across the staff team and the University to support the integration of evidence-based practice; contribute to faculty and staff professional learning opportunities to promote best practices in student learning skills development and accessible pedagogy, informed by equity-based and Disability Studies approaches to education, as required
- Contribute to the development and implementation of program monitoring and evaluation tools and participate in critically reflective practice and evidence-informed program development and decision-making
- Actively contribute to Learning Skills professional communities and conversations as well as best practice investigations and advancements in learning skills development and accessible pedagogy for art and design education; share research findings through a variety of knowledge dissemination activities
- Participate in reflective practice and professional learning activities, individually and in teams, to integrate equity and sustainability principles across relevant programs, processes and practices
- Fulfill Centre and Ministry reporting requirements
- Participate in departmental planning in support of the university’s strategic and academic plans and Centre goals and objectives; participate on relevant permanent or ad-hoc University committees, as required
- Assist the Manager and Director in other related tasks that contribute to the successful operation of the Centre and support the Centre’s strategic directions
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences or equivalent; Supplemental Instruction, Learning Disability Specialist or Learning Strategist training certificate an asset
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience providing learning and academic skills building programs to diverse learners and students with disabilities in a post-secondary environment; progressive experience working in a university academic success centre or equivalent
- In-depth understanding of the learning and academic support needs of diverse learners and students with disabilities
- Post-secondary studies in Art or Design an asset; past or present art or design practice an asset
- Strong knowledge of best practices in student learning theory and practice; demonstrated experience developing and implementing co-curricular peer learning programming
- Informed understanding of the opportunities, limitations and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) for student learning and academic success; active engagement with evolving research, pedagogical practices and sector developments related to AI use in learning skills education and support.
- Demonstrated understanding of critical pedagogy, equity studies, accessible pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL); understanding of Disability Studies theory and practices with experience translating Disability Studies approaches into student program development and program delivery practices
- Excellent program development skills with experience conducting needs assessments and stakeholder engagement to inform multi-year program planning
- Demonstrated experience designing, delivering and evaluating skills-building workshops for students; excellent group facilitation and instructional skills
- Demonstrated capacity for and experience in providing assistance to students in app and learning technology use for learning and academic success; experience giving students support in the use of assistive technology, an asset
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, and a demonstrated ability to exercise tact, sound judgment and commitment to confidentiality
- Excellent academic and professional writing skills with the ability to write effectively for different audiences
- Demonstrated experience producing educational resources and handouts including experience developing learning resources to support online learning environments
- Knowledge of best practices in multilingual pedagogy and an understanding of the barriers and support needs of post-secondary students studying in a second language
- Track record of working consultatively with faculty to build relationships and support student program development and delivery; experience developing and delivering faculty and TA professional learning programming an asset
- Demonstrated experience developing and integrating decolonizing, anti-racist, accessible and translingual approaches and pedagogies in previous work or study
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, anti-racism, decolonization and accessibility; and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, excellent organizational and time management skills
- Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications; knowledge of Canvas learning management system and Adobe Creative Cloud applications an asset
- Flexibility to adjust hours and location of work as needed to support programs and events outside of regular office hours and location
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Mode of Work: Hybrid. A minimum of three days per week of on campus work is required with flexibility to adjust the days and times of work on campus to meet programming needs.
Compensation: Hiring Range - $42.81 to $49.08 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of *benefits; Salary Range - $42.81 to $56.26 per hour.
*The successful incumbent has the option of pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until June 5th, 2028.
Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled
*Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code
As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities .
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
