What are the responsibilities and job description for the Writing Specialist position at Northeastern University?
About The Opportunity
The College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University invites applications for a part-time non-tenure track Writing Specialist in CPS Online Writing Laboratory (OWL).
The CPS OWL functions as a 1-credit lab course attached to other CPS courses. Through sophisticated feedback that follows best practices in the teaching of writing and composition, OWL functions to give students individual coaching to improve their writing skills. OWL functions as a practicum where students can submit drafts, receive praise and strategies for improvement to revise and edit their writing, and then submit final drafts for grading to the accompanying course. OWL has the potential to expand into other programs to help students improve their writing skills.
The Writing Specialist may be assigned to a OWL associated with undergraduate 1st year English courses or an intensive writing course associated with the graduate program in Organizational Communications.
Responsibilities
This part-time staff member will teach OWL lab courses throughout the academic year and will work with the program office on administrative issues. Actual course load may vary with other responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to the following:
Teaching, student advising, and developing course content and materials.
Participate in an extensive 6-week online training course for writing specialists prior to assignment to courses. Respond to student writing by writing letters of analysis to each individual student who submits drafts to the OWL. Assign a grade of U or S at the end of each term to participating students. Collaborate and communicate with faculty assigned to the courses that the OWL labs accompany. Make recommendations for additions to, or upgrading of, curriculum, course materials regarding response to writing, textbooks, and online resources for use in the OWL. Participate in the curriculum development to support writing in collaboration with faculty of other departments. Share course materials and insights with other writing specialists. Maintain technological proficiency in Northeastern University’s online platform; i.e., Blackboard and the OWL labs, and use this proficiency to communicate with students and faculty. Keep up to date and in contact with local employer and faculty members regarding appropriateness of course/program content and student issues of concern; e.g., plagiarism.
Qualifications
Academic Administration
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
The College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University invites applications for a part-time non-tenure track Writing Specialist in CPS Online Writing Laboratory (OWL).
The CPS OWL functions as a 1-credit lab course attached to other CPS courses. Through sophisticated feedback that follows best practices in the teaching of writing and composition, OWL functions to give students individual coaching to improve their writing skills. OWL functions as a practicum where students can submit drafts, receive praise and strategies for improvement to revise and edit their writing, and then submit final drafts for grading to the accompanying course. OWL has the potential to expand into other programs to help students improve their writing skills.
The Writing Specialist may be assigned to a OWL associated with undergraduate 1st year English courses or an intensive writing course associated with the graduate program in Organizational Communications.
Responsibilities
This part-time staff member will teach OWL lab courses throughout the academic year and will work with the program office on administrative issues. Actual course load may vary with other responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to the following:
Teaching, student advising, and developing course content and materials.
Participate in an extensive 6-week online training course for writing specialists prior to assignment to courses. Respond to student writing by writing letters of analysis to each individual student who submits drafts to the OWL. Assign a grade of U or S at the end of each term to participating students. Collaborate and communicate with faculty assigned to the courses that the OWL labs accompany. Make recommendations for additions to, or upgrading of, curriculum, course materials regarding response to writing, textbooks, and online resources for use in the OWL. Participate in the curriculum development to support writing in collaboration with faculty of other departments. Share course materials and insights with other writing specialists. Maintain technological proficiency in Northeastern University’s online platform; i.e., Blackboard and the OWL labs, and use this proficiency to communicate with students and faculty. Keep up to date and in contact with local employer and faculty members regarding appropriateness of course/program content and student issues of concern; e.g., plagiarism.
Qualifications
- The position requires an MFA in Creative Writing or Composition, or a MA in English, Communications, or a related field.
- 3-5 years type of experience working with students in composition courses or other writing courses at the collegiate level. Experience in writing centers strongly desired. Professional writing experience is also desired.
- Strong record of teaching excellence and a high-level of student service
- Writing Specialists must be versed in the theories of writing as a process; responding to writing through an organized process that encompasses all writing skills, particularly higher order writing skills; and theories which support student autonomy by asking students to respond to and assess their own writing.
Academic Administration
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.