Writing Center Director and Low-residency Support Coordinator

Location: Hybrid of Keene, NH Antioch University Campus and Remote 
Program: Antioch University
Reports to: AU Director of Writing Support
Job Type: Exempt / Part-Time 30HRS/Week / 75% FTE
Salary Info: $50,000/YR

Position Overview:
This is a three-quarter-time position with benefits (30 hours/week) that will begin April 2022 or when filled (if later) and run through June 2023, with potential to become a full-time 12mo annual position renewing annually in July. The writing center is part of the University-wide consortium of writing centers and provides workshops, peer editing, and individualized tutoring services.

The Writing Center Director is responsible for the operations of the New England-based Antioch Writing Center and for collaborating on broader support to low-residency students in the AU system. The New England Writing Center, based at the Keene, NH campus, operates as part of a University-wide program of writing support that provides workshops, peer editing, individualized tutoring services, faculty support, and professional support to students through Antioch University. Locally, the Writing Center Director is responsible for maintaining an on-campus presence and overseeing the daily operations of the New England center, as well as the instruction of Graduate Assistants in the theories and practices of writing centers and peer editing. In this role, the director oversees the onsite services and resources; provides ongoing training to the graduate student peer consultants in individualized conferences and staff meetings; and collaborates with the academic departments to coordinate relevant services.

The Writing Center Director also collaborates with the Antioch Library faculty and the Director of Disability Services to create, develop, and implement academic support services initiatives. As a low-residency support specialist, the Director will collaborate with other Writing Center Directors and specialists across the AU system to foster success for our growing population of online and low-residency students. This is a benefited, three-quarter-time (30 hours per week), 12-month faculty position, with potential to increase to full-time and renewing annually in July, reporting to the Director of Writing Support & the Vice-Chancellor in Academic Affairs.

Antioch University, founded in 1852, is known for innovations in education such as a commitment to transformative learning and applied knowledge, multiculturalism, and socially engaged citizenship. Located in Keene, NH, the AUNE Campus is home to well-regarded programs in Education, Environmental Studies, Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The campus community is small, but deeply engaged with the surrounding Keene community.

The Writing Center is a dedicated, learner-centered, interdisciplinary, collaborative space available to all Antioch students. The AUNE Writing Center offers one-on-one consultations for students, workshops for small groups, and support for faculty. We nurture a positive environment of learning, practice, and reflection, and we emphasize the writer’s continuous ownership of their work and their learning. Our Peer Writing Consultants, excellent writers themselves, are graduate students at AUNE masters and doctoral programs.

Essential Job Functions
Supervise a staff of 4-8 Peer Writing Consultants

• Interview and hire prospective consultants
• Train new hires and provide ongoing training to current consultants
• Occasionally observe sessions and provide feedback to consultants
• Approve staff hours biweekly
• Oversee scheduling of online appointments and staff shifts, including contacting clients for appointment changes when necessary
• Hold monthly all-staff meetings with staff to include readings on writing center theory and practice, skill-building, observations, and general discussion
• Assign downtime projects and coordinate peer-run Writing Groups

Provide academic support to AUNE students and faculty in various programs

• Liaise with faculty (individually and by attending occasional program meetings) regarding student writing in their classes
• Be available for classroom visits and presentations
• Attend online video conferences monthly with University Resource Group
• Provide one-on-one meetings with faculty to advise on integrating writing instruction/practice into their classes
• Work closely with individual faculty to support students with particular need
• Offer regular online workshops for students around key writing topics
• Collaborate with departments and faculty to plan and deliver workshops tailored to their student needs

Administer the New England Writing Center’s general operations

• Maintain contact with Work-Study and HR for peer consultants
• Ensure visibility of the Writing Center through website and campus promotion
• Oversee writing center’s website, social media, and campus email campaigns
• Maintain personal knowledge of, and fluency with, the University’s online tools, such as libguides, wordpress, Zoom, Sakai, WCOnline, and AUView.
• Monitor and respond to staff emails about scheduling shifts, duties, writing questions, etc.
• Be available for new student orientations and info-sessions, typically near the start of each semester
• Participate in the Writing Center Directors Meetings and other University committees as needed regarding writing, academic support, and instruction
• Maintain an on-campus presence of at least two days per week on average

Develop Outreach and Support Strategies for Low-residency Students

• Communicate with online and adjunct faculty regarding student writing and writing support in online classes
• Host virtual faculty development workshops on writing-related issues, especially those relevant to online course delivery
• Conduct occasional one-on-one meetings with faculty to advise on integrating writing instruction/practice into their classes
• Assist Director of Writing Support with faculty development workshops on WAC and WID issues
• Meet regularly and collaborate with other Writing Center Directors and specialists throughout the University
• Address the particular needs of online learners through research, resource development, and adaptation of Writing Center services
• Maintain contact with AU Academic Technology to ensure the visibility of writing supports and resources
• Be available for new student orientations or info-sessions

Professional Development

• Maintain an awareness of current research in the fields of Writing Support and Writing Instruction, especially as it pertains to low-residency support
• Participate in professional organizations related to writing and writing support

Qualifications

• PhD in English, Rhetoric/Composition, Education, or related writing-intensive fields; OR an MA/MFA in any of these subjects, with extensive teaching and/or writing center experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in the teaching of college-level writing.
• Experience in writing centers and understanding of current theories and best practices in composition pedagogy and writing center programs.
• Previous tutoring, coaching, or mentoring experience, especially with diverse populations.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including genuine commitment to the interests and goals of fellow learners.
• Ability to work with others to help them identify their strengths and difficulties as writers and researchers, prioritize their concerns, and successfully navigate complex strategies for working through those concerns.
• Demonstrated growth and/or academic success in chosen field of study.
• Familiarity with useful research and writing skills and the academic strategies associated with different fields.

Hours of Employment
This is a three-quarter-time position serving a national university. On-site presence is expected weekly on average, varying with the University schedule.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The individual must regularly lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Requires daily use of computer and other standard office equipment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Antioch University reserves the right to change the duties of the job description at any time.

To Apply: Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and three business references with contact information at the time of application.

Click Here To Apply

Antioch University provides equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification.

 NOTE:  The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check