Location: Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny or other major Teagasc Centre considered.

Basic function:

Teagasc is committed to making its training courses more inclusive and to supporting a diverse range of learners. The primary role of a Learner Support Specialist is to support education staff in providing assistance that enhances the academic experience and personal well-being of learners. This involves acting as the main point of contact for Access Officers and staff enquiries, coordinating support services, and developing and updating policies and procedures that promote an inclusive learning environment.

Background:

Teagasc is the leading provider of accredited education for the land-based sector, offering Level 5 and Level 6 further education courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine studies, and forestry. It also provides apprenticeship training at Levels 6 and 7 and co-delivers higher education programmes in partnership with universities and Dundalk Institute of Technology. In addition, Teagasc plays a significant role in delivering short courses and continuous professional development across the land-based and food sectors.

Each year, approximately 3,600 learners participate in Teagasc programmes, with an additional 1,300 learners engaged in higher education training.

This role focuses on supporting learners enrolled in the Teagasc further education and apprenticeship programmes.

• Develop, update, and promote Teagasc learner support and access policies in line with legislation, educational best practice, and QQI Programme Approval Agreement requirements.
• Develop and implement effective procedures for identifying learner support needs, including assessments of learner needs.
• Recommend appropriate resources and effective strategies to support staff in working with learners with physical disabilities and specific learning difficulties.
• Facilitate integration of innovative approaches and the use of assistive and online technologies to enhance the delivery of Teagasc courses.
• Approve reasonable accommodations in line with Teagasc learner support policies.
• Support learner wellbeing, collaborate with counselling services, develop mental health initiatives, and advise learners on appropriate support services.
• Lead the development of the Teagasc curriculum to align with universal design principles and inclusive learning approaches.
• Liaise with colleges and regional centres to integrate learner support across all locations.
• Provide guidance and support to management, access officers, and teaching staff on effectively meeting diverse learning needs in the Teagasc further education and apprenticeship programmes.
• Deliver in-service training on facilitated learning and the implementation of supportive, inclusive teaching methods.
• Coordinate the Teagasc Applied Programme.
• Manage the Teagasc Student Assist Programme.
• Review feedback, conduct evaluations, and report on the effectiveness of the Teagasc learning support strategies.
• Stay informed on current learner support technologies, practices, and policies.
• Support the development of a learner-inclusive culture by promoting and facilitating inclusive approaches to course delivery and assessment.
• Engage with parents/guardians, employers, and other stakeholders to create a supportive learning environment.
• Liaise with QQI, educational institutions, and relevant agencies (e.g., Tusla, NALA, AHEAD) to support the development and implementation of learner support policies.
• Assist in the review and implementation of new and revised Teagasc education programmes.
• Assist in the Teagasc Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
• Assist with external authentication and approval of results.
• Provide support for designated academic governance and/or management groups and committees, as assigned from time to time.
• Actively participate in annual business planning, risk management, and the Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
• Take responsibility for continuous professional development.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

 * This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Note:  Alternative location(s) may be considered solely at the discretion of Teagasc management.