DIRECTOR WRITING CENTER

Position Announcement

Trinity Washington University invites diverse candidates to apply for the recently created position of Director of Writing at Trinity’s Writing & Research Center.

Director of Writing takes a leading role in implementing and innovating writing initiatives as part of Trinity’s Writing & Research Center, one of the flagship initiatives of the library and University. In this role, the Director will work closely with the University Librarian and other library colleagues to assess and address writing and research needs throughout the University’s many colleges and programs. The Director of Writing will design learning experiences that help students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including first-generation college students and adult learners, become critical and ethical writers and researchers. Class visits, one-on-one consultations, student workshops, passive learning objects, and curriculum-building comprise the variety of instruction modes this position will be involved with. The incumbent will help manage writing tutors, deliver writing workshops, and collaborate closely with librarians to create a wholistic Writing & Research Center.

This position is a wonderful opportunity to help build Trinity’s Writing & Research Center, with ample latitude to adjust, customize, and innovate our campus’s new approach to writing and research. Candidates with a passion for critical pedagogy and liberatory education will be well-suited to this position.

Position Description: Director, Center for Writing

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

Title: Director of Writing

Organization Type: Trinity’s Center for Writing & Research

Reports To: University Librarian, Sr. Helen Sheehan Library

Supervises: Student Workers/Tutors

PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE POSITION:

Working collaboratively with the other members of the Trinity Writing & Research Center and the Library, as well as faculty and university staff, this position provides leadership in writing programming, instructional programming, curriculum development, and assessment of the Writing & Research Center. As well as the assistance in managing tutors and daily operations at Trinity’s Writing & Research Center.

In addition, this position will collaborate with Trinity librarians, leading an effort to systematically develop teaching and learning objects including video tutorials, online writing & research guides, embedded learning and course content, and instructional programming at Trinity’s Writing & Research Center, including teaching classes on campus and in Trinity’s online programs, provide writing help online and in person through individual writing & research consultations and at service points in the center.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Writing at Trinity’s Writing & Research Center supports the University Librarian in planning, directing, and delivering educational, writing, and research initiatives as part of Trinity’s Writing & Research Center (TWRC) by fulfilling the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities.

• Leadership – Provide leadership and administrative coordination for TWRC
  • Maintain consistent presence at the Center across day/evening hours to support tutors and faculty
  • Create and coordinate tutor scheduling and Center communication systems
  • Monitor schedule daily, adjusting for sickness, cancellations, and workshop requests
• Provide leadership and advocacy for writing across the curriculum
  • Design and lead faculty development initiatives including workshops, retreats, learning communities’ meetings, research/writing groups, and individual consultations focused on writing projects and pedagogy
  • Meet with departments across the curriculum to talk about the Center’s services and discuss how we can support their majors/particular courses
  • Work with campus Committees toward incorporating writing to learn, writing to engage, and writing in the disciplines throughout the curriculum.
  • Maintain currency in, and advocate for, sound writing pedagogy across the curriculum
• Supervise part-time tutors.
  • Recruitment and hiring
  • Solicit nominations for tutoring candidates from across campus
  • Respond to students’ queries regarding employment opportunities at the Center
  • Interview and complete the hiring process for each tutor
  • Pre-service training
  • Supervise, and develop advanced part-time tutors.
• Professional development training
  • Lead training meetings for undergraduate tutors, coordinate training meetings with head tutors and create online training modules.
  • Peer Training (for librarian staff and instructional staff) focused on current issues/research in WRITING CENTER studies, writing across the curriculum, information studies, and issues related to the center’s daily work, including:
    • Best practices (i.e. listening techniques; addressing difficult tutoring scenarios, etc.)
    • Reflection on tutoring practices and review of appointment feedback
    • Team-building activities and improving workplace communication
  • Support for undergraduate research in the Center and opportunities on Trinity’s campus, and at regional and national WRITING CENTER/library conferences and to publish in WRITING CENTER/library journals
• Supervision
  • Manage and mediate employee relations
  • Supervise tutor work and Center managerial tasks (i.e. make sure that tutors are following opening and closing protocols, customer service-oriented tasks, etc.)
  • Meet with tutors to discuss policies and tutoring strategies, debrief tutoring experiences, and prepare for, or debrief in-class workshops across the curriculum.
• Outreach
  • Actively promote writing and related pedagogies among Trinity faculty and students
  • Actively engage in the life of the campus, including through participation at Orientation and welcome Days and Campus-wide events such as Commencement, Graduation, etc.
  • Create and deliver Writing/academic support workshops for students

• Develop new initiatives to be responsive to student support needs and faculty/staff requests
• Attends the workplace regularly, reports to work punctually, and follows a work schedule to keep up with the demands of the worksite
• Completes all required training and professional development sessions required and sponsored by Trinity (sexual harassment, cyber security, etc.)
• Supports the values of the University: a commitment to the education of women, liberal learning, social justice, and student success.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Rhetoric and Composition, Education, or related field with credentialed expertise in English as a second language support and/or the education of exceptional learners
• One (1) year of related or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with Higher Education.
• An understanding (developed through formal coursework, personal study, or professional experience) of key concepts in tutoring pedagogy, writing pedagogy, curriculum development, and/or assessment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent student support skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience teaching or presenting to groups.
• Experience working in Higher Education, providing writing support services and/or instruction.
• Familiarity with learning management software (Blackboard, Moodle, etc.).
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and understanding of web accessibility issues.

Trinity Washington University is dedicated to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its students, faculty dedicated to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its students, faculty, and staff. Trinity is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community and strongly encourages all qualified individuals to apply.

APPLY HERE NOW