Writing Consultants Wanted!
The Writing Center is now hiring writing consultants (from ALL majors!) for next year; applications are due Monday, March 2.
Official Job Posting for Writing Consultants (Undergraduate student application)
REQUIRED: Must be an undergraduate student in a degree-granting program for duration of employment. Must have fulfilled the first-year writing requirement. Interest in writing practice and pedagogy. Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. Must be curious, highly motivated, and eager to learn.
PREFERRED: We especially welcome applications from candidates who meet one or more of the following qualifications:
• have experience in a writing center (as writing consultant, as client, or both) or collaborating with writers in other settings
• are multilingual
• have experience with writing across the disciplines—especially in science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as the social sciences
• have experience as language learners
• have experience supporting language learners
• are committed to or interested in working in an inclusive and diverse community
• are committed to or interested in supporting student learning
We especially welcome candidates from underrepresented and/or marginalized communities and/or identities.
Duties/Responsibilities
Position starts Fall 2020; ideal candidates will be able to work for the full academic year or for multiple years. The rate of pay for this position is $9.50 per hour. The consultant will work 5 to 10 hours per week. Consultants should expect to:
• Consult with undergraduate and graduate student writers from across the university on their writing projects in process to help them develop confidence and productive writing habits.
• Enroll in ENGL 380: Writing Center Theory, Practice, and Research (TR 11 am-12:15 pm).
• Participate in initial and ongoing training, mentoring, and other professional development activities.
• Help to maintain accurate student records.
• Assist with outreach presentations, workshops, and other events as needed.
• Greet students, schedule appointments, and support students in the Writing Center.
• Communicate regularly via email with the Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Directors of the Writing Center, and via Slack with the entire Writing Center staff.
Program/Unit Description
At the Writing Center, our undergraduate and graduate Writing Consultants work with writers at all levels and from all disciplines. Students may visit at all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming and organizing ideas to polishing a final draft. All forms of communication are welcome, from essays, lab reports, and research papers to presentations, speeches, cover letters, and personal statements. We help students explore strategies for revision and become stronger, more confident writers. We ally with and advocate for writers from historically marginalized or oppressed groups. We also value writing that breaks with and expands the “standard” academic English of the university and encompasses a variety of audiences, meanings, and purposes.
How to Apply
To apply, please send the following documents to writingcenter@unl.edu by March 2:
1. A completed application form (available at https://www.unl.edu/writing/become-a-consultant)
2. A current résumé
3. A cover letter that addresses the following:
• Why you want to work in the Writing Center
• What strengths you would bring to the Writing Center
• What you understand the work of the Writing Center to be
• Any other relevant information you’d like us to know
4. Two 3–5 page writing samples (e.g., research papers, lab reports, reflective essays, case notes, source/text analysis, business plans, creative writing, etc.), at least one of which must be academic. Excerpts from longer papers are acceptable.
In addition, please ask a work supervisor or faculty member to fill out the reference form (located at https://www.unl.edu/writing/become-a-consultant) and email the completed form directly to writingcenter@unl.edu.
Note: if you have not visited the Writing Center before, we strongly encourage making an appointment to discuss a writing project of your own to learn more about how we work. Visit https://unl.mywconline.com/ to schedule an appointment.
If you have questions about this position or about applying online, please contact writingcenter@unl.edu.