Assistant Director University Writing Center

Position Number: 941540

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Anticipated Recruitment Range: $47,379 - $74,000

Position Type: Non-Faculty

Job Category: Non-Faculty Instructional & Research

Organizational Unit Overview: The University Writing Center employs peer-consultants to provide writing tutorial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students at ECU both in person and online. The University Writing Center serves as the primary student-outreach component of the University Writing Program. The University Writing Program is linked administratively to the Department of English and reports through the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University. East Carolina University (www.ecu.edu), a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System, is classified as a Doctoral/Research-Intensive University and enrolls around 27,000 students, with over 5,500 pursuing graduate and professional degrees. ECU is located in Greenville, NC (pop. 90,000), which lies 90 miles east of Raleigh and 80 miles from the Atlantic coast.

Job Duties: The Assistant Director of the University Writing Center does not serve primarily as a classroom teacher. Instead, the teaching responsibilities for this position are primarily in tutor training or overseeing the writing consultants working in the Writing Center, although part of tutor training occurs in a special credit-bearing course; the Assistant Director may be the instructor of record for that course from time to time. In addition, the Assistant Director provides professional development sessions related to writing, writing instruction, digital writing/composing, and document design for faculty members and students both through sessions with specific classes and as part of ongoing professional development through the University Writing Program and other campus groups (e.g., Office of Faculty Excellence). About 60% of the position is focused on supporting the director in day-to-day work of the University Writing Center (UWC) and Online Writing Lab (OWL). These duties involve assisting the director with staff development/weekly staff meetings and preparing consultants to lead both UWC and classroom-based writing consultations; assisting the director with observation and evaluation of UWC/OWL writing consultants; and consulting with students in both onsite and online tutorial sessions about their writing concerns. 20% of the position focuses on campus outreach, which involves assisting the University Writing Program (UWP) with developing and conducting workshops, supporting development of outside programs and projects, collaborating on grant writing projects and initiatives and collaborating with staff on data collection and assessment projects, as well as producing internal and external reports. 10% of the position focuses on remaining current in scholarship and research in writing studies and writing centers, which may include participating in local, regional, and national writing conferences. Leadership makes up 10% of this position and involves suggesting innovative methods for improving work of the UWC, the OWL, and the UWP; and participating in university committees as a representative of the UWP or the UWC.

Consultant Supervision - 60%: Supports the director in supervising most of the day-to-day work of the UWC/OWL, which indicates (1) developing and revising the work schedules for consultants staffing the onsite location and the OWL, (2) serving as an on-site supervisor for the various activities of the UWC, (3) coordinating with faculty to arrange in-class workshops for students, which are run by writing consultants from the University Writing Center, (4) answering a wide range of questions and concerns that arise among university faculty and staff members that pertain to any aspect of the University Writing Center, and (5) developing web-based materials for the UWP/UWC/OWL website. Assists the UWC Director with staff development, weekly staff meetings, and preparing consultants to lead both UWC and classroom-based writing consultations. Assists the UWC Director with the observation and evaluation of UWC/OWL writing consultants. Works closely with the Director of the University Writing Center to continually develop the Online Writing Lab (OWL) and making alterations to the OWL so the experience effectively meets the needs for Distance Education students. Consults with students, in both onsite and online tutorial sessions, about their writing and concerns they may be having with their writing so as to remain current in writing center best practices.

Campus Outreach - 20%: Assists the UWP with developing and conducting workshops in the Digital Studio. Supports the development of outside programs and projects (e.g., tutoring in the dorms community engagement projects), and seeks new avenues for funding innovative projects related to writing and tutoring. Collaborates on grant writing projects and initiatives to support UWP/UWC work. Collaborates with all UWP staff on data collection and assessment projects, producing internal and external reports.

Scholarship - 10%: Remains current in scholarship and research on writing, writing centers, tutor training, and digital composing. Participates in local, regional, and national writing center conferences as a presenter or discussant whenever feasibly and fiscally possible, authoring articles, chapters, or response pieces about the Assistant Directors work in the writing center whenever possible.

Leadership - 10%: Demonstrates leadership by suggesting innovative methods for improving the work of the University Writing Center, the Online Writing Lab, and the University Writing Program. Participates on university committees as a representative of the University Writing Program or the University Writing Center.

Minimum Education/Experience: Minimum qualification is an MA in English or related degree (e.g., rhetoric/composition or writing studies) from an appropriately accredited institution.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: None.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education: Preferred education and experiences include a Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric; 3 years writing center experience including writing center administrative experience; experience with online writing labs/support; knowledge of writing center/writing program administration theories and practices; knowledge of best practices and principles related to online instruction for writing and tutoring; knowledge of digital literacies and experience with digital tools for composing texts; and excellent written and oral communication skills.